PhD studentship in Egyptian Archaeometallurgy (Fixed Term)
The British Museum and the University of Cambridge are pleased to announce the availability of a fully funded Collaborative doctoral studentship from October 2025 under the AHRC's Collaborative Doctoral Partnership consortium (https://www.ahrc-cdp.org).
This project aims to explore wider stories and connections within the British Museum collection by conducting the first detailed technological study of some of Egypt's earliest metal objects found in funerary contexts. Using advanced non-invasive analytical techniques, the research will evaluate manufacturing methods, technological choices, and material selection behind metal vessels and (model) tools, as well as their role in funerary practices. Representing some of early Egypt's most significant material culture, these assemblages remain poorly exploited from a museological perspective. Their holistic examination and interpretation through the lens of 'object itineraries' affords tremendous potential to understand their makers and owners, thus developing engaging narratives beyond their artistic appeal. Furthermore, this opens novel possibilities for museum-based research to examine interactions between early civilisations in the region through technological exchange. As a pilot study, metal objects from the mid-third millennium BCE Royal Cemetery of Ur, Mesopotamia, will be compared. This will support future museum exhibitions and collaborations telling new stories about these under-researched objects in the British Museum collection.
This project will be jointly supervised by Frederik Rademakers and Aurélia Masson-Berghoff (British Museum), Marcos Martinón-Torres and Kate Spence (University of Cambridge), and the student will be expected to spend time at both the British Museum and the University of Cambridge, as well as becoming part of the wider cohort of CDP funded students across the UK.
Students should have a Master's Degree in a relevant subject or be able to demonstrate relevant equivalent knowledge or experience.
The studentship can be studied either full or part-time, and is open to both home and international applicants.
We encourage applications from a diverse range of people, from different backgrounds and career stages.
Informal enquiries about the project should be directed to Prof Marcos Martinon-Torres (m.martinon-torres@arch.cam.ac.uk)
Start date: 1st October 2025 Application Deadline: 30 April, 4pm GMT Interviews will take place online on 15 May
Please quote reference JD45650 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.