Postdoctoral Research Associate in Heritage – Cambridge UK

About Position/Job

The University of Cambridge, UK, through its Fitzwilliam Museum, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Heritage on a fixed-term basis. This position is part of the MakingAI: AI-Driven Integration of ‘Messy’ Data in Technical Art History project, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Hamilton Kerr Institute (HKI), Fitzwilliam Museum, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMPT), and the McDonald Institute for Archaeology. The project is funded by Schmidt Sciences.

The PDRA will work on technical art history and heritage science, focusing on synthesising complex, heterogeneous, and incomplete datasets, including scientific imaging, spectroscopy, and archival documentation. Using AI-driven approaches, the project aims to integrate these ‘messy’ datasets into coherent narratives of artistic and artisanal production across cultures, places, and historical periods. The successful candidate will engage with a highly interdisciplinary team, collaborating with museum scientists, conservators, art historians, archaeologists, and mathematicians, and contributing to Cambridge University’s internationally recognised research environment.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA), Heritage
Institution: University of Cambridge
Department: Fitzwilliam Museum / Hamilton Kerr Institute
Research Field: Heritage Science / Technical Art History / AI in Cultural Heritage
Location: Cambridge, UK
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term
Start Date (Anticipated): 2026
Working Hours: Full-time
Salary Range: £37,694 – £46,049 per annum
Contract Duration: 1 year (in the first instance)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Technical Art History
Heritage Science and Conservation Research
AI and Machine Learning for Cultural Heritage
Multimodal Data Integration
Scientific Imaging, Spectroscopy, and Archival Research
Museum and Archaeological Collections

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD (completed or near completion) in Heritage Science, Technical Art History, or related discipline
Experience with scientific data capture and processing
Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with museum or archaeological collections
Familiarity with heritage datasets, scientific imaging, or spectroscopy
Interest in AI-driven approaches to humanities research
Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Key Responsibilities

Capture and process scientific and legacy data for cultural heritage objects
Contribute to the objectives of the MakingAI project
Collaborate with museum scientists, art historians, conservators, archaeologists, and mathematicians
Engage with the wider University of Cambridge research community and international partners
Support the dissemination of findings through publications, presentations, and outreach activities

Application Process

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the University of Cambridge recruitment system. Applicants must quote reference DA48314 in their application and all correspondence.

Required Documents