Student NAL Archaeological Research Assistant

Position Overview

The Archaeological Laboratory Assistant in the Norman Archaeological Laboratory (NAL) supports ongoing faculty-led research in the Department of Anthropology focused on long-term land use and inter-regional interactions in northern Yukon, Canada. The position is part of a funded research project that integrates archaeological materials, spatial data, and oral histories to establish a cultural chronology of the region. This project contributes to a broader understanding of long-term land use and cultural interaction in collaboration with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.

The student will gain hands‑on experience in archaeological laboratory methods, data management, and research communication while contributing directly to an active research program and to collaborative, community‑engaged scholarship. The position requires strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, the ability to work independently and manage time effectively, and a commitment to performing repetitive, detail‑oriented tasks accurately and consistently.

• Clean, sort, and rehouse archaeological materials (including stone, faunal, botanical, and sediment samples) following established protocols.
• Label, measure, and catalog artifacts and samples.
• Assist with organizing and maintaining laboratory collections and storage systems.
• Retrieve and track samples as needed for analysis.

• Enter and update catalog data in project databases (e.g., Excel and other database platforms).
• Maintain metadata and documentation for all laboratory activities.
• Assist with integrating legacy datasets into a unified project database.
• Conduct quality‑control checks to ensure data accuracy and consistency.

• Assist with literature reviews related to regional archaeology and inter-regional interactions.
• Support the transcription and organization of archival and oral history materials.
• Assist in preparing data for radiocarbon sampling and analytical workflows.

• Create figures (e.g., maps, charts, and artifact illustrations) for reports, presentations, and publications.
• Organize and maintain digital files, images, and project documentation.
• Assist with the preparation of conference posters, presentations, and other dissemination materials.

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre‑enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester.

Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR. This is an hourly/non‑exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non‑exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter addressing required/ preferred qualifications

To ensure full consideration, please apply before the Final date to receive applications of August 24th, 2026. Only complete applications will be considered.

Lauren Norman
lauren.norman

$15.00

Monday August 31, 2026

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