Northumbria University
Research Fellow
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Job Description
About the Role
Working as part of multi-disciplinary teams, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivery of research activity on the PELLIS: Investigating the manufacture, trade, and economy of Roman leather through multi-analytical approaches.
The AHRC-funded PELLIS project investigates the manufacture, trade, and economic role of leather in the Roman Empire, addressing a major gap in our understanding of an industry essential to both civilian and military life. Because archaeological leather survives only in exceptional conditions, its economic significance has long been overshadowed by more durable materials like pottery. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining proteomics, stable isotope and genetic analysis with archaeological and historical research, PELLIS will analyse leather assemblages from Roman Britain, the Netherlands, and Syria to determine animal species, origins, processing methods, and patterns of object production and use. By integrating this new scientific evidence with broader economic models, the project will reveal how leather was produced, distributed, and accessed across the provinces and frontiers, offering a more holistic picture of Roman manufacturing, supply networks, husbandry practices, and everyday lifeways.
The post is funded for 32 months and is available on a full-time basis (1.0 FTE).
About the Team
This Research Project is being delivered within the school of Geography and Natural sciences, you will join Professor Gillian Taylor research group funded by an AHRC research grant. The team includes colleagues at collaborating Institutes (University College London, North Carolina State University, and University of Western Ontario) for the scientific analysis of Roman leather and the interpretation of findings in the wider context of the Roman ecology.
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The primary role of the post holder will be:
- To assist with the collection of samples for biomolecular analyses
- Use of analytical instrumentation including spectroscopy for degradation analysis
- Prepare samples for biomolecular analysis of leather including ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry)
- Data interpretation and integration with wider Roman archaeological evidence
- Writing/contributing to publications
- Assisting with project outreach
About You
Applicants should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in bioarchaeology/molecular/analytical chemistry or related discipline. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, and who are keen to apply their skills to archaeological research.
Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact gillian.taylor@northumbria.ac.uk
To Apply
To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.
About Us
Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us.
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Based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation and offer flexible hours and location where the role allows. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding a Silver Athena Swan in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, a bronze Race Equality Charter Award and we are a Disability Confident Leader. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
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