Job Description
The University of London
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
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Since 1858, we have expanded access to world-class higher education. Today, around 40,000 students in more than 190 countries are part of our global learning community.
The University of London is also home to the School of Advanced Study, the national centre for the humanities, whose mission is to advocate for the discipline.
By working together, we expand access to outstanding higher education and resources, and extend their benefits to learners and researchers across the UK and around the world.
The Role
Are you interested in rethinking Roman frontiers through material culture, heritage practice, and public engagement?
We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Roman Archaeology to join Connective Frontiers: Inclusive Heritage of Roman Frontiers, a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship hosted at the Institute of Classical Studies (ICS), School of Advanced Study, University of London.
This post, offered in partnership with English Heritage, is an exciting opportunity to apply your research expertise to an interdisciplinary and intersectoral project that brings together archaeological research, heritage interpretation, and contemporary debates around borders, identity, imperialism, and decolonial approaches. The role is designed for a motivated early career researcher who is keen to develop intellectually ambitious research while gaining experience beyond the traditional academic environment.
About Us:
The role is based at the Institute of Classical Studies, part of the School of Advanced Study, University of London. The ICS provides a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment with strong international networks, close links to museums and heritage organisations, and an active programme of seminars, workshops, and public events. The post will also require significant amount of time spent on Hadrian’s Wall, working with English Heritage team based at Corbridge.
Connective Frontiers is a four-year UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship led by Dr Anna Walas, which is a collaborative multinational project aimed to bring the archaeology of frontiers in Rome’s northernmost and southernmost regions into critical dialogue, through strengthening partnerships, advancing research agendas, improving researcher and heritage practitioner mobility and improving heritage practice.
About the Role:
The PDRA will join the team to conduct collaborative research on the finds assemblage from the Roman military base at Housesteads and Corbridge. The role aims to produce up-to-date research to inform the redevelopment of a permanent exhibition at the Housesteads site and a temporary exhibition at Corbridge. This will include delivery of an online database of objects, combining legacy material from antiquarian excavations and modern campaigns, producing catalogue of objects, and carrying out primary, category specific and spatial research on the assemblage. The objective of the post is to provide a deep insight into the identities within the site’s extended military community, considering the site within its landscape, regional and global contexts to support the development of interpretative approaches to frontiers and borderlands in Roman past. Within the wider team, you will also work on areas such as geophysical survey, history of archaeology and history of public interpretations of Roman frontiers.
You will work in close partnership with the English Heritage team based in Corbridge, including the curator (Dr McIntosh, Project Partner and English Heritage co-lead for the post) and the interpretative, design and education teams. You will actively co-create this part of the project with the PI and the English Heritage team. This is an exciting developmental opportunity for those seeking to gain a better understanding of heritage interpretation development. We are looking for a motivated researcher to co-create this package of work within an intersectoral team.
Outcomes of the research will help advance forward-thinking, equitable approaches to public interpretation of Roman frontiers. Your work will have direct links to the redevelopment of the permanent exhibition at Housesteads, one of the flagship sites on Hadrian’s Wall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also contribute to underpinning research culminating in a temporary project exhibition at Corbridge that explores approaches to lived experience on Rome’s frontiers. This strand of the project provides space for the exchange of ideas between academic and heritage professionals, particularly around how themes such as imperialism and decolonial perspectives can be responsibly and productively integrated into public interpretation.
About You:
We are looking for a motivated, intellectually curious postdoctoral researcher with expertise in Roman archaeology and material culture. The successful candidate will take responsibility for planning and delivering research activities within the remit of their post. You will enjoy working independently while also contributing positively to a collaborative team environment. You may already have experience working with heritage partners, museums, or collections. Above all, you should be open to learning, comfortable working across institutional boundaries, and willing to take a proactive and self-motivated approach to your research. This role is particularly well suited to researchers interested in careers that span academic research, heritage practice, museums, and public archaeology.
Further Information
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your CV and Covering Letter by clicking ‘apply for job’ at the bottom of this page before the closing date at midnight on Monday the 4th of May 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place w/c 1st of June 2026, subject to change.
Where eligible, the University may be able to offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for this role. Please note that applicants are responsible for the costs of their visa application, including visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Dr Anna Walas (anna.walas@sas.ac.uk) or Katie Large (Project Coordinator, katie.large@sas.ac.uk).
The University currently operates a Hybrid Working framework involving a mix of working remotely and in the office. Typically, most employees will be able to agree to work remotely for up to 60% of their working week, role dependent, however will need to attend the office on specific days for training or team meetings etc.
The University of London is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment where we can all be ourselves and succeed. We particularly encourage applications from members of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities as this group is currently under-represented at all levels within the University. All appointments will be made on merit, based on the criteria named in the job description.
Pursuing excellence in education and equal opportunities.