Director of the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC)

The Cyprus Institute

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) invites applications for the position of Director of the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) - a flagship research centre devoted to developing and using advanced science and technology in archaeology, cultural heritage and history of the region.

This is a unique opportunity for an internationally recognised academic leader to shape and advance a high-impact research centre at the interface of archaeological sciences, scientific visualisation, digital cultural heritage, cultural landscapes and build environment, environmental archaeology and human osteo-archaeology.

The successful candidate will lead the next phase of STARC’s development, strengthening its international standing, expanding its research portfolio, and enhancing its contribution to regional and global agendas.

About The Cyprus Institute

The Cyprus Institute is a European, non-profit, science- and technology-oriented educational and research institution, governed by an internationally acclaimed Board.

Its research is organised across five Research Centres:

• Computation-based Science and Technology Research Centre (CaSToRC)
• Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC)
• Energy Environment Water Research Centre (EEWRC)
• Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C)
• Science and Technology Driven Policy and Innovation Research Centre (STeDI-RC)

A defining feature of CyI is its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration across Centres, enabling impactful research addressing complex societal challenges.

About STARC

Since its establishment in 2009, STARC contributes to major research questions in the environmental, human and cultural history, archaeology and heritage of Cyprus and the broader EMME region. Furthermore, the inter-disciplinary exploration of the remains of the past contributes to their preservation for future generations. Additionally, STARC promotes and supports tourism and educational interest in the island. A network of collaborations with cultural heritage authorities, museums, as well as academic institutions provides a robust framework at the local Cypriot, EMME, and global levels.

The Centre is uniquely positioned in the following areas:

• Applications of Natural and Material Sciences applied to Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
• Digital Heritage, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), digital documentation and semantics, scientific visualization and virtual reality methods
• Interdisciplinary research, tools and applications for Art and Architecture in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean
• Digital Libraries and Digital Humanities
• Diagnostics for Cultural Heritage conservation, including chemical and physical analyses for the preservation of heritage items
• Applications for underwater and maritime archaeology technology
• Heritage Science, Conservation Science and Art Characterization

Role and Strategic Leadership

The Director will provide visionary leadership for the STARC, guiding its scientific direction, strengthening its institutional capacity, and enhancing its international visibility and impact.

The role combines academic excellence, strategic leadership, and institutional stewardship, contributing significantly to the overall development of the Cyprus Institute.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Professor with tenure, with an internationally competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the position.

Key Areas of Responsibility

The Director will lead across the following strategic domains:

Scientific Leadership and Research Excellence

• Further define and advance a globally competitive research agenda aligned with key challenges in areas of expertise
• Foster interdisciplinary research programmes addressing complex challenges in the domain
• Maintain and further develop a high-impact personal research profile

Institutional Development and Centre Growth

• Strengthen and expand STARC’s research capabilities and infrastructure
• Develop and implement strategies aligned with the Centre’s mission and CyI’s institutional priorities
• Recruit, develop, and support high-performing research teams

External Engagement and Impact

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with leading international research institutions, industry, and policy stakeholders
• Enhance STARC’s role in policy-relevant research and societal impact
• Communicate research outcomes effectively to academic, public, and decision-making audiences

Resource Mobilisation and Sustainability

• Secure competitive research funding, strategic investments, and external resources
• Develop and oversee the Centre’s financial planning and investment strategies
• Contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of STARC

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognised academic leader with:

• PhD and full Professorship with substantial years.
• Demonstrated international research and administrative experience in recognised research Institutions of ideally at least 10 years
• A distinguished research record of the highest international standard in a field relevant to STARC
• Demonstrated experience in leading research groups, centres, or programmes
• A compelling strategic vision for advancing research and innovation in the STARC’s thematic areas
• Proven success in securing competitive research funding and building collaborative networks
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively across academic, governmental, and industry environments

In addition, the candidate should demonstrate:

• Experience in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research, particularly in sustainability-related areas
• Engagement in applied and implementation-oriented research
• Familiarity with competitive research programmes and funding mechanisms

Excellent command of English is required; knowledge of Greek or other languages is an advantage.

Responsibilities as a Faculty Member

As a tenured Professor at CyI, the Director will also:

• Mentor and supervise graduate students (MSc and PhD)
• Contribute to the development and delivery of graduate courses and seminars
• Initiate and participate in high-level international research collaborations
• Lead and contribute to competitive research proposals

Terms and Conditions

• Location: Cyprus Institute campus, Athalassa, Nicosia
• Appointment: Tenured Professorship
• Salary Band: CYI10.1 – CYI11.7 (€80,172.95 – €107,462.29)
• Directorship allowance
• Benefits: Flexible working scheme, additional leave provisions, provident fund, and medical/life insurance

Previous experience at equivalent rank will be considered in salary placement.

Please click here for the position’s detailed job description, including general responsibilities, requirements and other details related to the position.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted via the CyI Exelsys Platform via the ‘Apply’ button above.

Applicants should submit:

• CV presented in a structured format, which includes (in the following specific order): 1. Personal & contact information 2. Education 3. Past and present employment (newest first) 4. Prizes and awards 5. Talks at conferences: separate invited talks from contributed talks and posters 6. Grants 7. Supervisions of graduate students (list separately MSc/PhD)
• A short letter of interest
• Research statement (up to 5 pages) including up to ten key papers (each paper should include a DOI, the number of citations (indicating whether it’s ISI or Google Scholar), the journal's impact factor (IF), and the role of the author)
• Teaching statement
• List of publications
• List of five (5) referees (including contact information)
• 3 authored publications for review

All materials must be in English and in PDF format.

For further information, please contact: Ms Christiana Melodias – c.melodias@cyi.ac.cy