Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Division of Biological Anthropology
LEVERHULME CENTRE FOR HUMAN EVOLUTIONARY STUDIES
RESEARCH ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE
Archival project on the historic and geographic origins of
human remains in the Duckworth Collection, Cambridge
8 Months Fixed Term.
We are looking for an Archivist/Research Assistant who will assist in the sorting and
cataloguing, and if time allows, researching, of the Duckworth Collection archives in the
Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge. The archive is
in the form of notes, letters, accession books and notebooks of historical, scientific and
curatorial importance.
The Duckworth Collection is the University’s main human and primate osteological
collection, and one of the premier such collections in the world. The Duckworth Collection is
the outcome of more than 200 years of development, and used for extensive research in
anthropology, human evolution, archaeology and medicine. Recently moved into new
facilities, we are now upgrading the cataloguing and archives to enhance research activity
and to comply with the DCMS Guidelines for Human Remains Collections in the UK.
Working under the supervision of the Director of the Duckworth, the post-holder will be
responsible for sorting and organising the paper records, developing a cataloguing system
for these, and completing the resulting digital catalogue. Depending on time, the postholder may also assist the Director of the collection in linking records with the particular
osteological remains they refer to.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual, educated to degree level with
an archives qualification and practical experience. Preference may be given to those with
experience with scientific collections, history of anthropology or medicine, or similar
subjects. A good knowledge and experience of digital archival methods is essential.
The pensionable stipend will be in the range of £23,661 - £28,251, depending on
qualifications and experience. The University offers a range of benefits including attractive
pension schemes, family friendly policies, health and welfare provision and staff discounts.
The University is committed to equality of opportunity.
How to apply
The application should consist of a University application form, a covering letter, a CV, and a
one page summary of the experience, skills and interests that you would bring to the
position, and the names and addresses of two referees who can be contacted. The
application form (CHRIS/6) needs to have parts 1 & 3 completed: it is found at
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/forms/chris6/. Please submit one hard copy of your
application to Mrs Jane Clare at the Division of Biological Anthropology, Pembroke St,
Cambridge CB2 3DZ. Also send one single pdf file of the whole application to her at
jc478@cam.ac.uk. Any enquiries about the post should be sent to Dr Marta Mirazón Lahr
(m.mirazon-lahr@human-evol.cam.ac.uk). Ref JB11592.
Deadline for applications: 3rd February 2012.
Further information
This post is associated with a programme of archival research into the historic and
geographic origins of the human remains in the Duckworth Collection of the University of
Cambridge. It is supported by the Isaac Newton Trust (Trinity College) and the Council of the
School of Humanities and Social Sciences (University of Cambridge).
The Duckworth Collection is one of the world’s largest repositories of human remains,
numbering approximately 18,000 individuals. These range from single bones, to complete
skeletons, mummies, and decorated skulls, and are widely used for teaching and research.
This post is focused on the historical archival information that accompanies the human
skeletal remains that are part of the collection.
This project aims at sorting, for the first time, the historical information (letters, notes and
other materials) accompanying the human remains that form the Duckworth Collection, as
well as creating a digital catalogue of these archives to accompany the catalogue of the
osteological material itself. The post-holder will work under the supervision of the Director
of the Collection, Dr Marta Mirazon Lahr, who has designed and implemented the relational
database that forms the computerised structure of both the digital catalogue of the
osteological materials and the archival information. At the moment, the latter is incomplete,
and includes only a summary of the information on the history/origin of each set of human
remains that may exist. It is hoped that, following the sorting of the archival papers, that a
digitisation programme may eventually bring copies of the actual documents together with
the summary information in the electronic catalogues. Because of the complex history of the
present collection, establishing the historical context of the remains necessitates
information currently existing solely in the form handwritten notes, acquisition lists,
catalogue lists (some currently held in the Museum of Zoology and Archaeology &
Anthropology), as well as large quantities of correspondence. These documents collectively
provide, for a large part of the materials, the fine-grained information that would allow us to
establish fully what is known about how different remains came to be in Cambridge - i.e.
from excavations, from donations, from anatomical exchanges, and often, whether
information regarding the death of those individuals exists - i.e. medical observations,
archaeological contexts, purchases conditions. Therefore, the work of the post-holder is
considered the critical first step necessary for the future study of the Duckworth Collection
Archives, and thus the development of a better understanding of the development of the
collections.
The research is part of a general programme to make all aspects of the Duckworth Collection
available online as a significant anthropological resource.
The work involved requires the skills of an archivist, who would work with Dr Mirazon Lahr in
sorting and creating a full digital catalogue of the existing papers. The post-holder would
also be responsible for seeking supplementary documentation in other institutions - such as
the Archaeology and & Anthropology Museum archives, or the 18th C accession books in the
Zoology Museum (already consulted by Dr M Lahr). Lastly, if time permits, the post-holder
would assist the Director of the collection in linking archival information to particular
osteological remains in the collection, as well as searching information within the
anthropological and archaeological literature relating to the particular expeditions or
excavations from which some of the skeletal remains originate.
The position is an 8 month fixed-term appointment as a Research Assistant.
Qualifications and requirements
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual, educated to degree level with
an archive qualification and practical experience. Preference may be given to those with
experience with scientific collections, history of anthropology or medicine, or similar
subjects. A good knowledge and experience of digital archival methods is essential.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to give interviews in Cambridge in February 2012.
The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and
work in the UK. Therefore, before you commence work, the University must confirm your
eligibility to live and work in the UK. To confirm eligibility you will be asked to bring certain
original documents to your interview and a copy will be taken. All offers of employment are
made subject to verification of eligibility to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities Information
The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an appointment in
the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less favourably than
another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status,
race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status),
sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
Information if you have a Disability
The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our recruitment and
selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability legislation.
The University is committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities receive fair
treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever
reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if
successful, to assist them during their employment.
We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any special arrangements,
particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated. Applicants or employees can
declare a disability at any time.
Applicants wishing to discuss with or inform the University of any special arrangements
connected with their disability can, at any point in the recruitment process, contact Jane
Clare. All of her contact details are given above.
For additional guidance and information, applicants can contact the HR Business Manager
responsible for the department they are applying to via hrenquiries@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Further Information
For further information about the Duckworth collection, visit the website:
https://eve.human-evol.cam.ac.uk/duckworth/
For further details about the Leverhulme Centre for human Evolutionary studies, visit the
LCHES website at:
http://www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk/
For further information about:
Department of Biological Anthropology: http://www.bioanth.cam.ac.uk/
Faculty of Archaeology & Anthropology: http://www.archanth.cam.ac.uk/
University of Cambridge: http://www.cam.ac.uk/
There is a range of information which applicants may find helpful on the University’s
website:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/
This includes information on applying for posts, working at the University, living in
Cambridge and details of current vacancies.