Research Assistant in Archaeology (Remote Sensing and Digital Heritage Recording)

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference in people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department

Durham University’s Department of Archaeology is one of the UK’s best Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top three Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. 2nd Research Excellence Framework [REF] 2014, 3rd in The Guardian University Guide 2021 and Complete University Guide 2021) and one of the top four globally (World University QS rankings 2021). Our expertise covers a broad chronological and geographical span, from the Palaeolithic to the present-day, and from South Asia to the Mediterranean, Europe and the British Isles. We have a strong research presence in the Middle East, that embraces fieldwork, visual and material culture studies and bioarchaeology.  We have a range of cutting-edge laboratories, including well-developed facilities for isotopic research, extensive commercial infrastructure, and a network of heritage-sector collaborators. The Department of Archaeology works closely with staff in two Durham University museums, the Oriental Museum and the Museum of Archaeology. These house some outstanding archaeological collections, including East Asian and Middle and Near Eastern antiquities. For further information on our current projects, research and teaching see www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology

The Role

Applications are invited for a Research Associate in Archaeology (RA) to work in remote sensing, data management and digital support for heritage protection research and training. Reporting directly to the project lead Dr Kristen Hopper, and ultimately to the Principal Investigators Professors Graham Philip and Dan Lawrence, the RA will work alongside a team of researchers in Durham engaged in the projects ‘Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa’ (EAMENA) and ‘Climate, Landscapes, Settlement and Societies’ (CLaSS). EAMENA is a collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Leicester and Durham which was established in 2015 to respond to increasing threats to the archaeology of the MENA region by using accessible satellite imagery and replicable methodologies to document and monitor the condition of cultural heritage sites. EAMENA also has a strong track record in the training of staff in the heritage agencies in our partner countries, funded by the Cultural Protection Fund of the British Council. CLaSS investigates the relationship between climate fluctuations and the emergence of complex social and political formations in the Middle East over the last 8000 years. Both projects are collating large databases of archaeological sites from across the MENA region.

The successful applicant will be expected to support the ongoing work of the EAMENA and CLaSS projects at Durham through the analysis and interpretation of satellite imagery and by cross-referencing this with documentary sources, resulting in the creation, enhancement and management of records in the project databases. In response to current travel restrictions, existing training materials have been transformed into a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which will be translated into Arabic and Persian, to provide our regional partners with an accessible training resource.  The RA will support the EAMENA team during the initial roll-out of the MOOC, assist in the organisation of online training workshops, and capture evidence of MOOC impact. The postholder will also engage in project-related administration and other activities supporting the work of the projects.

Responsibilities :

• To understand and convey information that needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment. 
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.   
• The candidate will contribute to the following priority areas of project activity:
• Population of the project databases with new data, derived from remote sensing or pre-existing documentation such as published archaeological surveys, using image analysis and GIS techniques.
• Enhancement of data already in the EAMNEA database, for example by combining image data with that available in documentary sources.
• Contribute to the analysis of trends and patterns within the dataset related to both archaeological and heritage management research questions.
• Undertake the geocorrection and processing of satellite imagery / air-photographic data and contribute to the identification and acquisition of additional imagery as required.
• Provide regular progress reports.
• Support the preparation of both research publications and those designed for a wider public.
• Provide support to the EAMENA team for the delivery of the English and Arabic language MOOCs.
• Design and implement a system to capture data on the uptake and completion of the MOOCs.
• Liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and strengthen relationships for future research collaboration.

This post is fixed-term for 6 months, set by the availability of project funding.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post as possible. 

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact the line manager, Dr Kristen Hopper ([email protected]).  All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/ . As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

 Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

What to Submit

 All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV 
• Covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above.

The Realising Your Potential Approach clarifies the behaviours expected to be demonstrated by all staff across Professional Services in the University regardless of their role. Along with the core responsibilities, role responsibilities and the person specification, the Realising Your Potential Approach behavioural indicators are used to inform the recruitment and selection process. Further information on the Realising Your Potential Approach is available here .

Next Steps

 The assessment for the post will include an online interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and assessment in early August.

The Requirements

Essential:

• A good first degree in Archaeology or a related subject.
• A Masters in Archaeology, or a subject directly relevant to the role.
• Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
• Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in managing large datesets.
• Experience of using online learning platforms.
• Knowledge of GIS software and familiarity with database systems.
• Knowledge of image processing techniques as applied to archaeological research including some familiarity with techniques for image geocorrection and enhancement.
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to present research results in English, orally and in writing.
• Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders, including engaging with our in-country partners.

Desirable:

• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Archaeology or a related subject.
• Experience of conducting high quality academic research.
• Experience of archaeological fieldwork, survey in particular, in at least one of: the Middle East, the Caucasus or Central Asia
• Experience of producing concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Previous experience in the provision of user-support.
• A basic knowledge of Arabic, Persian or Turkish.
• Knowledge of statistical packages such as R.