Research and Interpretation Officer (Cookham Abbey Connects)

University of Reading - Department of Archaeology

Placed On: 29th January 2026

Closes: 20th February 2026

Job Ref: SRF52670

Part time, fixed Term Contract

Closing: on 23:59 20/02/2026

Interview date: Week commencing 11 March 2026

Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker Visa route and eligibility criteria, applicants requiring sponsorship are recommended to check their eligibility on the Home Office website. We cannot provide advice to candidates at the application stage and will only discuss visa routes with candidates who are invited to interview.

We are seeking to appoint a 0.8FTE Interpretation Officer to support ‘Cookham Abbey Connects’, a 3-year project based on ongoing archaeological investigations of a nationally important Anglo-Saxon monastic settlement at Cookham, Berkshire. Cookham Abbey Connects is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to maximise the value of this nationally important archaeology for a wide range of audiences.

You will manage the Cookham site archive and digital database, lead the analysis, quantification and interpretation of archaeological findings, produce high quality content for academic publications, grant applications, and media dissemination, and contribute to public engagement activities.

You will have:

• Good all-round post-excavation skills, including the creation of stratigraphic narratives and matrices
• Knowledge and experience of managing digital excavation archives
• Good digital illustration skills (e.g. Adobe Illustrator)
• A track-record of publishing archaeological excavations
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• A degree or equivalent in Archaeology, or in a relevant subject

You will report to Cookham Abbey Connects Project Director, Professor Gabor Thomas, and work closely with department staff integral to the delivery of the Cookham Abbey excavations, including the Field School Director. You will be assigned a mentor who will provide support and guidance during the initial period of your appointment.

The Department of Archaeology is part of the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science (SAGES). The School and the Department have an established reputation for delivering a diverse range of student-centred degree programmes at the cutting edge of disciplinary knowledge. The University of Reading is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).

Further information on the Department may be found at our web-site: www.reading.ac.uk/archaeology. The University aspires to be an “Employer of Choice” and the Department of Archaeology is an inclusive and supportive workplace. Full details of support available can be found on the University’s Health and Wellbeing webpages.

Contact details for advert

Contact Name Professor Gabor Thomas
Contact Job Title Professor in Early Medieval Archaeology, Director of the ‘Cookham Abbey Connects’ Project
Contact Email address gabor.thomas@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name Thomas Hayes
Alternative Contact Job Title Lecturer in Archaeology, Departmental Director of Field School
Alternative Contact Email address t.j.hayes@reading.ac.uk