Research Assistant in Archaeology

The Role

Community, Landscape and Social Stratification in early medieval Northumbria (CLASS) is a Leverhulme Trust-funded research project investigating social and political complexity through historic landscape transformation. CLASS will integrate multiproxy datasets of environmental change with detailed archaeological evidence to understand changes to the landscape that were tied to socio-economic structures across the first millennium.

As a Fieldwork Research Assistant/Associate you will be a highly productive, ambitious and collaborative member of the CLASS team. Based in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA) at Newcastle University, you will collaborate with other members of the project team, including those based at Northumbria University. You will conduct research on the archaeology of northern Bernicia (northern Northumberland), using desk-top methodologies to identify sites and landscapes that will be targeted for further investigation through original fieldwork. You will be responsible for designing and delivering the archaeological fieldwork programme, which will primarily comprise geophysical and topographic surveys. Working alongside colleagues from Northumbria University, you will also assist in the collection of palaeoenvironmental data when necessary. You will oversee development of the project GIS, and provide day-to-day management of archaeological fieldwork, and related collaboration and outreach. You should have a proven track record of delivering programmes of archaeological remote sensing, including geophysical survey data collection and processing, and topographic/photogrammetric survey. Experience of using a UAV (drone) for archaeological research, an A2 Certificate of Competence Qualification, and up-to-date Visual Line of Sight Training are all desirable.

The project is hosted in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, which has a vibrant and active research culture with particular strengths in interdisciplinary working and supporting the holistic career development of early career colleagues. The successful candidate will be provided with academic and pastoral support within the school, and training will be provided to develop their competences. You will also benefit from access to the school’s mentoring scheme and extensive training opportunities including a bespoke personal development plan, and peer support from a cross-disciplinary cohort of talented postdoctoral and early career researchers, as well as access to fieldwork equipment and software.

Newcastle University follows the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.

The end date of this post is 30th September 2029 which would be a maximum of 36-month fixed term full-time appointment. The candidate will start work on 1st October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. Flexible working requests are welcome, but the postholder must be willing to travel for fieldwork and other research/engagement activities as part of the project.

For the duration of the project, you will be reporting to Dr Duncan Wright duncan.wright@ncl.ac.uk. If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Dr Wright at the email above.

Applicants with minority and/or host community backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Should the successful applicant require a UK Visa for this role, they will be eligible to apply through the Global Talent Visa route. The University will support the applicant through this process.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.

To apply, please upload an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the essential job criteria.