Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31st December 2027.
The McDonald Institute invites applications for a full-time, fixed term Project Manager & Remote Sensing Digital Data Co-ordinator, generously supported by Arcadia (https://www.arcadiafund.org.uk/). This is a fixed term post until 31 December 2027. The post holder will be employed on the Mapping Archaeological Heritage in South Asia (MAHSA) project to provide secondment cover for the Project Manager.
MAHSA is identifying and documenting endangered archaeological heritage sites across the Indus and Ganges River Basins and surrounding regions of Pakistan and northwest India using a combination of remote sensing, machine learning, historical map analysis, records-based research and selective archaeological surveys. Records of these sites are being made available in an open source Arches (https://www.archesproject.org) geospatial relational database tailored for different interest groups and stakeholders.
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the role holder will provide cover for the Project Manager while she is on secondment. The role holder will be supported by the Project Manager as part of her secondment role, and there will be a handover period. Key tasks will include: managing the implementation of an international, multi-partner project aimed at using remote sensing and machine learning technologies and archive digitisation to map archaeological and other heritage sites across Pakistan and northwest India, to produce an Open Access database of this information. The role will also involve: providing the day-to-day coordination of the project and project team, maintaining appropriate administration systems and procedures to help ensure the project continues to be delivered on time, to budget, and to the required quality standards; producing detailed project reports including financial reports; organising and facilitating contributions from project partners and other stakeholders, and managing the development of protocols, training materials, documentation, and publications in line with best practice and project objectives.
Additional duties include undertaking and coordinating the documentation of archaeological sites and monuments through the use of remote sensing and map analyses and desk-based research on existing sites, and ground-based verification fieldwork; and organising and overseeing project events such as conferences, workshops and training sessions.
The post is likely to involve international travel to different parts of Pakistan and India if appropriate.
Applicants must have a PhD/DPhil level qualification in Archaeology, Archaeological GIS or Remote Sensing with extensive post-degree work experience in heritage management and/or remote sensing analysis. Applicants should also have a proven record of international research project management and accomplishment in research using remote sensing and GIS technologies within an archaeological or heritage setting. Experience in the archaeology (or a closely related and relevant subject) of South Asia or neighbouring regions is desirable.
Ability and willingness to travel (nationally and internationally) and to work flexibly to support the activities of the project is essential, and experience of using Arches is desirable.
Starting date: 1 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter
Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
Please do not apply without consulting the Further Particulars (see further particulars by following the link for details) as these give you essential information about the procedure and the documents you need to submit. Informal inquiries may be addressed to Prof. Cameron Petrie ([email protected]).
The closing date for applications is: Midnight on 24th September 2026
Interviews are expected to take place on 29th September 2026
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: [email protected]
Please quote reference JC50930 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Apply online