Postdoctoral Research Associate - Archaeology

Grade UE07: £41,885 - £49,798 per annum

School of History, Classics and Archaeology / Archaeology

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: from 1^st March 2027 until 28^th February 2031

Vacancies available: 2

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The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.

 The Opportunity:

 The Wellcome Trust Discovery Award-funded ‘Biological Embodiments of Societal Complexities: Sociocultural Determinants of Human Skeletal Health’, awarded to PI Dr Jonny Geber, seeks two PDRAs for this interdisciplinary project that is integrating biological sciences, humanities, social sciences, and conceptual arts. The project aims to (1) determine how socioeconomic factors impact human skeletal biology, growth, morphology, and variation, (2) clarify how skeletal health reflects socioeconomic circumstances through sociohistorical contextualisation and osteobiographical approaches, and (3) convey personal and societal histories in anatomical collections through art.

The PDRAs will focus on the biological sciences aspect of the project, working predominantly on CT imaging data of 19th-century human remains from the Medical University of Graz Anatomical Collection. Together with the PI and collaborators, the PDRA(s) will develop methodological analytical protocols for CT imaging analysis, lead on adult and non-adult research objectives (aging, growth, pathology, health), manage data, and contribute to an interdisciplinary team—disseminating findings at international conferences and by leading peer-reviewed publications. The theoretical-computational/scientific balance can be tailored to successful candidates.

The roles will involve international travel for data collection, training, and conference attendance. Successful PDRAs will receive opportunities for specific training in CT scanning and imaging analysis, alongside continuing professional development of research skills and management through the University of Edinburgh for the project duration. The project involves close collaboration with partners at the Medical University of Graz and JH Joanneum Graz. These posts are full-time (35 hours per week), collaborative, team-based, and require on-campus working at the University of Edinburgh.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week).  Successful candidates will be appointed at Grade UE07, Steps 1 to 3 of the grade scale (£41,885 to £44,352).

View the full Job Description (opens in a new browser tab). 

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- CV

- Cover letter

People have always been at the heart of our work. Our people are at the centre of the University community and everything we do. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful flexibility that works for you.

Discover more about working at the University of Edinburgh on our Jobs website.

 A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:  

• Professional development and subject matter expertise 
• Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience 
• Leading-edge research 
• Responsibility and autonomy 
• Working within one of the world’s leading universities 
• Excellent benefits and support 

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 

• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page(opens in a new tab)and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens in a new tab).

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant. 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 26^th November 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm UK time. If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.