"Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship of the Deep History & Archaeology of Africa"

The Board of Electors to the Professorship of Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship of the Deep History and Archaeology of Africa invite applications for this Professorship from persons whose work falls within the general field of the Professorship to take up appointment on 01 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Candidates will have an outstanding research record of international stature in African archaeology and deep history, broadly construed as an interdisciplinary field. They will demonstrate a continent-wide vision of this field and its major themes, and a broad chronological range of engagement, as well as an understanding of the place of Africa and African archaeology in the wider global perspective. They will demonstrate expertise in at least two of the major regions within Africa, necessarily including sub-Saharan Africa, as well as extensive African fieldwork experience. They will have the commitment, knowledge, connections, enthusiasm and leadership qualities to build both African archaeology in Cambridge and, collaboratively, archaeology within Africa, through intellectually innovative research, fieldwork and other project development, team building, education, outreach, capacity building and engagement with issues such as heritage, sustainability and the politics of the past.

They will hold a PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification. Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision and administration. The Professor will be based in Cambridge. A competitive salary will be offered. The holder of the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Professorship will be based in the Department of Archaeology, be a member of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, and also hold a Mandela Magdalene Memorial Fellowship at Magdalene College.

Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made online no later than 5 January 2026.

Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to professorships@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Cameron A. Petrie (Convenor of Board of Electors and Head of Department): cap59@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference JD48042 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Department/Location: Department of Archaeology

Category: Professorships and Directorships

Date published: 24 November 2025

Closing date: 5 January 2026