Research Assistant​/Associate in Archaeology; Fieldwork

Research Assistant/Associate in Archaeology (Fieldwork)

Requisition

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type:
Fixed Term

Working Pattern:
Full Time

Posted Date: 22 May 2026

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package, plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Ecologies of Governance is an AHRC-funded archaeological research project investigating the emergence of inequality and the economic basis of rulership in early medieval societies. The scheme will undertake multi-proxy and comparative analyses of the environment and agrarian regimes of some of the most iconic early royal landscapes of Britain and Ireland, the results of which will revolutionise our understanding of rulership and governance in the first millennium AD.

As a Fieldwork Research Assistant/Associate you will be a highly productive, ambitious and collaborative member of the Ecologies of Governance team. Based in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology (HCA) at Newcastle University, you will collaborate with all members of the project team, including those based at Queen’s University Belfast and Cardiff University. You will carry out research on case study royal landscapes that form the focus of the project, with primary responsibility for designing and delivering the programme of archaeological fieldwork.

This will include development of the project GIS, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and targeted excavation, in order to detail the evolution of early medieval sites and landscapes. You will oversee the day‑to‑day management of fieldwork elements in the project’s work packages, related collaboration, and outreach. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of working independently to deliver programmes of archaeological fieldwork, and expertise in geophysical and topographic survey and excavation.

A research profile in early medieval archaeology, appropriate to career stage, is considered desirable but is not essential.

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. 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 duration of post is a maximum 30‑month fixed term full‑time appointment. The candidate will start work as soon as possible after interview. 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  We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University.

If you would like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact Dr Wright at the email address above. We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support and adjustments to meet your needs.

Applicants with minority and/or host community backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Should the successful…