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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Archaeology and Agent-Based Modelling

August 20, 2025

**Job Description**
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the Science, Society and Environmental Change in the First Millennium CE (SSE1K) project, funded by the ERC. The project, led by Professor Helen Foxhall Forbes with collaborators in Basel, Tubingen, and Durham, explores environmental and climatic changes and human responses in the Mediterranean during the first millennium CE. The postholder, based in Durham and reporting to Professor Dan Lawrence, will utilize agent-based modelling (ABM) of social-ecological systems, drawing on archaeological and historical datasets, likely focusing on Central and Southern Italy. Responsibilities include using university supercomputing services, potentially producing maps and performing spatial analysis, contributing to publications (as first or co-author), and engaging in project dissemination, administration, and other activities.

**Skills & Abilities**
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to work with software packages and code used in agent-based modelling work.
• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research (desirable).

**Qualifications**
Required Degree(s) in:
• Archaeology or a related discipline (good first degree)
• Archaeology or a related subject (PhD or close to submission)

**Experience**
Experience Required:
• Conducting high quality academic research.
• Writing material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Presenting research papers at national and/or international conferences and communicating complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Agent-based modelling (broadly defined) design and delivery.
Other:
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career (desirable).
• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career (desirable).
• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics (desirable).
• Overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills (e.g., demonstrator, supervising student projects/practicals) (desirable).
• Using agent-based modelling to investigate socio-ecological systems through time (desirable).

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Experience
Experience Required: • Conducting high quality academic research. • Writing material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals. • Presenting research papers at national and/or international conferences and communicating complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community. • Agent-based modelling (broadly defined) design and delivery. Other: • Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career (desirable). • A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career (desirable). • Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics (desirable). • Overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills (e.g., demonstrator, supervising student projects/practicals) (desirable). • Using agent-based modelling to investigate socio-ecological systems through time (desirable).
Work Level
Postdoc
Employment Type
Fixed-Term, Full-time, Research Job
Salary
Annual Salary: £38,784 - £46,049 per annum Position Classification: Grade 7 Benefits: 30 days annual leave + 8 public holidays + 4 customary days (total 42 days), University Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension, parking/cycle to work scheme/public transport discounts, professional and personal development opportunities, discounted gym membership, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, on-site nursery/children's clubs, generous family friendly policies (maternity, adoption, parental leave), staff volunteering opportunities, discounts via benefits portal (supermarkets, retailers, IT, cinema, attractions), salary sacrifice scheme, relocation assistance (removal costs, house hunting, schools), visa cost coverage/interest-free loan for dependant visas.
Valid Until
September 23, 2025
Details
Fixed-Term / Full-time Duration: 2 years Location Requirement: Based in Durham
School / Department / Center / Lab
• Department of Archaeology
Supervisor(s)
Professor Dan Lawrence
Supervisor Email
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Durham University
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