About Position/Job
Durham University is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bioarchaeology to work on a British Academy Global Professorship project led by Professor Sian Halcrow. This 36-month research role focuses on the bioethics of historical anatomical skeletal legacy collections in the UK, examining provenance, acquisition histories, and evolving museum practices. The project explores how human remains have been used in teaching, curation, display, and research over time while co-producing new ethical and policy guidelines with global relevance. Based in the Department of Archaeology, this position combines museum research, archival investigation, qualitative interviews, and bioarchaeological analysis. The work contributes to international debates in bioarchaeology, heritage ethics, and museum studies, aligning with Durham’s strengths in archaeological science and heritage research.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Institution: Durham University
- Department: Department of Archaeology
- Research field: Bioarchaeology
- Location: Durham, United Kingdom
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term Postdoctoral
- Start Date (Anticipated): March 2026
- Working Hours: 35 hours per week
- Salary Range: £38,784 to £46,049 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Bioarchaeology
- Museum and heritage studies
- Archaeological ethics
- Human skeletal collections research
- Archival and historical research
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Archaeology or related subject (or near completion)
- First degree in Anthropology
- Experience conducting high-quality academic research
- Experience in bioarchaeological and archival research in museum contexts
- Ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong publication record relative to career stage
- Experience presenting at international conferences
- Experience contributing to collaborative research design
- Experience supporting or supervising students
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct research on historical anatomical skeletal collections
- Undertake interviews and qualitative analysis
- Collect and analyse museum and archival data
- Contribute to publications and conference presentations
- Support the development of ethical and policy guidelines
- Collaborate with project partners and the research team
- Assist in training and knowledge exchange activities
Application Process
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through Durham University’s recruitment system. Candidates should clearly demonstrate how they meet all essential criteria in their application.
Required Documents:
- CV
- Cover letter detailing experience and suitability
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 29 January 2026
- Deadline: 11 February 2026
- Interview Date: Around 23 February 2026
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Durham University
- Official Notification Link: Click Here
- Apply now: Click Here
Click here for more job opportunities
