Description
Closing date: 25th May 2026
The McDonald Institute invites applications for the fifth annual Fellowship in archaeology (broadly defined) aimed at candidates of Black Identity or Heritage. The McDonald Institute aims to nurture excellence in the discipline of archaeology regardless of background and in pursuit of diverse knowledges, approaches and practices. We recognise that persistent structural inequalities disadvantage people from Black backgrounds and communities, including within higher education and academic research. As such, we are keen to enable underrepresented early career researchers of Black Identity or Heritage to develop their portfolio of research experience and to thrive in academia. This one-year postdoctoral Fellowship is designed to attract research excellence and we will provide the Fellows with training, mentorship and support to drive their careers forward and to generate a more diverse pipeline of future talent. In addition to salary, the Fellow will be entitled to up to £2,500 relocation costs and £5,000 training and research costs to be spent within the year of the Fellowship. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to apply through open competition for up to £5,000 p.a. from the D.M. McDonald Grants and Awards Fund for each of three years subsequent to the Fellowship and will be eligible for up to £2,500 expenses for one subsequent return visit to Cambridge. The successful candidate will also be eligible to take up a College Post-Doctoral Associate Position (CPD) at Jesus College for the year of their appointment. It may be possible to extend the Fellowship (excluding the CPDA) for one further University term dependent on circumstances and funds.
Informal inquiries may be addressed to the Deputy Director (opportunities@mcdonald.cam.ac.uk)
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: Faculty HR at hr@hsps.cam.ac.uk
Further particulars and how to apply can be found here