Assistant Professor in Archaeological Materials (ref.no. CYI_APAM_20_03)

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations and cross-disciplinary research and post graduate education. CyI, through its established research centers, addresses challenging issues that are important at both the regional and international levels. Many of its research activities are being carried out in partnership with leading institutions in the respective thematic areas.

Position Description

The successful candidate will advance the research agenda of STARC in close collaboration with the A.G. Leventis Professor for Archaeological Sciences. S/he will conduct and publish high-impact research in archaeological materials science, with an emphasis on ancient ceramics, metallurgy and / or lithics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. The successful candidate will be able to formulate well-developed research enquiries and to communicate effectively with experts in other fields to generate research projects within the archaeological discourse and across disciplinary boundaries. Participation in fieldwork and presentation of research at conferences and workshops are expected. S/he will be expected to work collaboratively with existing staff and faculty, while developing their own independent research profile, complementing rather than replicating existing strengths.

The successful candidate will be expected to oversee the development of the Archaeological Materials Laboratories at CyI, supported by a Technical Research Specialist, and to cooperate closely with staff at the Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories. This includes advising the Director on the expansion of the Institute’s range of equipment, leading the procurement process for new equipment, developing Standard Operating Procedures and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the labs. Emphasis will be placed on the data quality assurance for the analytical instruments (primarily SEM-EDS, hhXRF and pXRF), and on developing in-house expertise in the analysis of inorganic materials using mass and other spectrometric methods, requiring a strong basis in chemistry.

As faculty member, an aptitude and/or experience in mentoring and teaching students is necessary as the successful candidate will be regularly involved in the delivery of taught (MSc) and research (doctoral) postgraduate teaching, including the supervision of research theses, as well as the development and delivery of Continuous Professional Development Courses and ECTS credit-bearing Summerschool Courses.

The Institute is expanding its instrumental capabilities to include X-ray microCT, and the successful candidate may be required to take on the role of Radiation Protection Officer, as well as cooperate closely with the Health and Safety Committee of the Institute.

Responsibilities/activities to be involved in:

The successful candidate will be responsible for helping to shape and advance the Cyprus Institute's and STARC's research agenda by:

Conducting and publishing independent research in archaeometallurgy, ancient ceramics and / or other ancient and historical materials appropriate to the Institute’s mission;

1. Initiating and sustaining high-level collaborative projects with leading research institutions that conduct research in areas related to their respective fields;
2. Securing financial and other resources from national and international sources;
3. Overseeing the development and operation of the Archaeological Materials Labs;
4. Potentially taking on the responsibilities for Radiation Protection, within the legal framework of the Republic of Cyprus;
5. Contributing to postgraduate (MSc and PhD) teaching and supervision, incl. developing and delivering relevant courses and seminars, and providing research guidance to graduate students;
6. Communicating the results and implications of research conducted at STARC and the CyI at all levels, including the academic community, the public at large and political and other decision makers.