About the Position
The Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage role at Durham University offers an exceptional opportunity to lead world-class research within the University’s strategic Heritage 360 initiative. Based in the Department of Archaeology, this full-time permanent position focuses on integrating cultural and natural heritage with archaeology, advancing evidence-based policy, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration. The postholder will contribute significantly to research leadership, grant acquisition, postgraduate teaching, and stakeholder partnerships across academic and heritage sectors. This role aligns with Durham’s mission to advance innovative heritage research and enhance understanding of cultural and natural landscapes at local, national and global scales. For the first four years, the post benefits from reduced teaching due to the Heritage 360 research focus, enabling deep engagement with major research development and cross-university collaboration.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Professor of Cultural and Natural Heritage
- Institution: Durham University
- Department: Archaeology
- Research Field: Cultural and Natural Heritage Integration with Archaeology
- Location: Durham, UK
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
- Start Date (Anticipated): 2026
- Working Hours: 35 hours per week
- Salary Range: £73,711 per annum
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Cultural and natural heritage
- Archaeology
- Heritage landscapes
- Evidence-based heritage policy
- Traditional technologies and knowledge systems
- Interdisciplinary heritage research
- Stakeholder and community partnerships
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in archaeology, heritage or a related field
- World-leading research outputs
- Evidence-based policy or practice contributions
- Strong track record of securing research income
- Experience supervising PhD researchers
- Proven academic leadership and collegial contribution
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience delivering innovative postgraduate teaching
- Leadership of major research groups or networks
- Internationally significant field project experience
- Engagement with heritage sector partners
Key Responsibilities
- Lead world-class research integrating cultural and natural heritage with archaeology
- Develop major research proposals for UK and international funding bodies
- Deliver high-quality postgraduate teaching in heritage and archaeology
- Supervise doctoral researchers and contribute to postgraduate programme development
- Mentor academic staff and contribute to University-wide research culture
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration through the Heritage 360 initiative
- Engage with heritage sector partners, communities and stakeholders
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your application through Durham University’s online recruitment system. Ensure all documents are uploaded in PDF format and labelled with your full name.
Required Documents
- CV
- Cover letter
- Personal research plan
- Two published works (after 2020)
- Two evidence-based policy or practice reports
- Contact details of three academic referees
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Available now
- Deadline: 1 February 2026
- Interview Date: March 2026 (anticipated)
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Durham University
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply Now: click here
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