Researcher (post-doctoral level) in archaeology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

In the event of divergent interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

The Department of Archaeology and Ancient History is a multidisciplinary research and teaching environment that works for greater cooperation between the disciplines involved. The department undertakes teaching and research in the subjects of Archaeology, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, Osteology, Egyptology and Global Environmental History. The Department is located both in Uppsala and in Visby (Campus Gotland).

Applications are invited for one full-time, post-doctoral research position in African Heritage, Remote Sensing and GIS, generously supported by Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin (https://www.arcadiafund.org.uk/). The post-doctoral researcher will be employed on the Mapping Africa’s Endangered Archaeological Sites and Monuments (MAEASaM) project. This is a three-year project that aims to identify and document endangered archaeological heritage sites across sub-Saharan Africa using a combination of remote sensing, records-based research and selective archaeological surveys. It will make records of these sites available in an Open Access Arches geospatial relational database tailored for different interest groups and stakeholders.

Key tasks will include: the identification of archaeological sites and monuments through the use of remote sensing analyses and desk-based research on existing site registered and from published and grey literature; the creation of digital records of these sites and monuments following a standardised format; the identification of past, present and potential future threats to the integrity of these sites; assistance with field visits to ground-truth features identified using remote sensing; and assisting in-country partners with the development of enhanced monitoring and protection measures in the target countries. The geographical focus of the work by the Uppsala team will be Zimbabwe, requiring close interaction with the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Harare and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background and Context: The archaeological and built heritage on the African continent is facing escalating threats from a number of factors that include rapid, unmonitored urban expansion, large-scale agricultural intensification and irrigation projects, oil and gas extraction, massive dam construction and other infrastructure projects including port facilities and railways, climate change, inter-community violence, international terrorism and steady demographic growth. A great many African economies are also witnessing significant infrastructural expansion fuelled in part by large-scale foreign investment, further putting tangible heritage at risk. These problems are compounded by the relative shortage of trained heritage professionals on the African continent, constraints on their budgets and other resources, and because there are large areas about which little is known concerning existing heritage assets. The development of rapid and reliable means of mapping and documenting archaeological sites and monuments, utilising remote sensing technologies, GIS and digitisation of existing records offers an effective way to address many of these concerns, and help identify those sites and monuments most at risk and measures to mitigate such threats. Accordingly, the MAEASaM project aims to undertake systematic analysis and interpretation of satellite and aerial images utilizing established techniques and in conjunction with regional maps and archival data, focusing on eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These are Mali, Senegal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana, creating individual site records following standardised protocols, supported by ground-verification and in-country assessments of the nature, extent and likelihood of threats to these heritage sites. The project also aims to develop automated systems for site identification from satellite imagery and appropriate monitoring protocols.

The MAEASaM project is a partnership between eight institutions, with the University of Cambridge serving as the lead and coordinating institution. The other collaborating partners are the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand; L’Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir (IFAN), Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar; the British Institute in Eastern Africa, Nairobi; the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, UK; the Department of Archaeology, University of York; and the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter.

The MAEASaM Project will also collaborate with key partners and relevant stakeholders in Africa, especially the Cultural Heritage Service, National Museum, Bamako, Mali; the Laboratoire d’Archéologie, IFAN, Dakar; the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, Khartoum, Sudan; the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya; the Tanzania Department of Antiquities, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; and the National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery, Gaborone, Botswana.

Job description

The researcher will be required to:

1. Manage their own work programme (within defined objectives) for the interpretation of satellite imagery and aerial photography covering Zimbabwe, and generate individual site records using standard terminology and link these data to the project’s Open Access Arches inventory
2. Undertake analysis and research on the archaeological sites discovered in terms of distribution, period, archaeological significance, assessment of threats and potential threats. Contribute to the identification of solutions for the future management of the most significant sites
3. Assist in training local staff, including undertaking field documentation projects in Zimbabwe.
4. Prepare annotated bibliographies on the archaeology of the study regions and contribute to the development of a project thesaurus of African archaeological site categories and terminology.
5. Organise, catalogue and archive datasets arising from this research.
6. Assist with the analysis of the data, preparing papers for publication on issues related to the region and/or the technical processes.
7. Assist with the organisation and intellectual design of associated events, conferences, symposia, and workshops.
8. Contribute to social and digital media communications regarding the project.
9. Assist in facilitating effective communication between the Uppsala team, other project partners and external partners in Zimbabwe.
10. Liaise with external bodies, especially other Universities, regarding potential collaborations and exchange of data.
11. Represent the project, including attending and presenting at conferences, workshops and other events.

Qualifications and Experience: The successful candidate should have a proven record of accomplishment in research using remote sensing and GIS technologies within a heritage setting, and familiarity with African archaeology.

Selection criteria:

Essential

• Hold a PhD/D.Phil. in Archaeology (or a related and relevant subject) or have submitted a thesis at this level, together with relevant experience in African archaeology and/or heritage management
• Experience in computational and/or digital approaches in archaeology, in remote sensing (ideally ENVI and/or ERDAS Imagine), and GIS (ideally ArcGIS, and/or QGIS)
• Experience in archaeological field documentation and archaeological survey techniques, especially image interpretation, ideally within sub-Saharan Africa.
• Proven ability to manage their own academic research and associated activities
• Ability and willingness to travel (nationally and internationally) and to work flexibly to support the activities of the project
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write good English text for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

Desirable

• Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project
• Experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication
• Experience with the use of digital and social media communications channels and website content management systems (CMS)
• Knowledge of Shona and/or Ndebele is beneficial

Instructions for application: Applicants should submit a letter of interest detailing how the relevance and appropriateness of their research background and experience meet the advertised specifications, how they meet the qualifications and their motivation for applying for the position. This should be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

• A Curriculum Vitae minimally indicating educational background and degrees, publications, grant track record and previous relevant research experience
• A cover letter or personal statement, outlining your reasons for applying and why you think you are a strong candidate for the post. Please provide a clear statement in response to each of the selection criteria, which shows how your qualifications, experience and training fit each of them. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion.
• Digital copies of at least ONE of your publications that best illustrates your suitability for the advertised post.
• The names and contact details of two professional referees who can comment on the applicant’s academic experience and research outputs.

Salary Fixed salary.

Starting date: 1st October 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Type of employment Permanent position.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position, please contact:

Head of the Department Susanne Carlsson, tel. 018-471 2086, e-mail Susanne.Carlsson@antiken.uu.se

Senior lecturer and project Co-Investigator Daniel Löwenborg, 018-471 1570, e-mail Daniel.Lowenborg@arkeologi.uu.se

You are welcome to submit your application through the online applications form no later than 2020-08-31, UFV-PA 2020/2823.

Do not forget to submit relevant documents and papers.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.