Research Assistant in Environmental Archaeology – Durham

About the Position

Durham University invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant in the Department of Geography to join the project ‘V2C: Viking To Christian Landscapes Across The Norwegian Sea: Agricultural Trajectories and Resilience Using SedaDNA and Faecal Lipids’. Funded by the Research Council of Norway and led at Durham by Dr Helen Mackay, this 24-month post will contribute to reconstructing human and animal activity in northern Norway and Scotland over the past 1500 years.

The project uses interdisciplinary approaches including faecal steroid lipid biomarkers, sedaDNA, pollen, and pXRF, alongside archaeological data, to understand cultural and environmental change from the Viking Age to the Christian era. Collaborating with leading researchers from The Arctic University of Norway, University of Bergen, and Universities of the Highlands and Islands, this role offers access to world-class facilities and a supportive research team. It is ideal for candidates with geochemical experience who wish to contribute to internationally significant environmental archaeology.

Position Details

Position: Research Assistant
Institution: Durham University
Department: Geography (Social Sciences and Social Care)
Research Field: Environmental Archaeology, Geochemistry
Location: Durham, United Kingdom
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term (24 months)
Start Date (Anticipated): November 2025 (no later than January 2026)
Working Hours: Full-time
Salary Range: £31,236 – £37,694 per annum
Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s

Research Area

Environmental Archaeology
Viking to Christian landscapes
Organic geochemistry
Faecal steroid biomarkers
SedaDNA and palaeoenvironmental proxies
Northern Europe (Norway and Scotland)

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Experience generating and analysing geochemical datasets
Familiarity with laboratory techniques (GC-FID / GC-MS)
Ability to prepare scientific reports, figures, and publications
Willingness to travel for workshops and scientific meetings

Preferred Qualifications:

Background in environmental archaeology or palaeoecology
Experience with sedimentary archives and lipid biomarker analysis
Understanding of interdisciplinary environmental reconstruction methods

Key Responsibilities

Process sediment samples in a CL2 lab for gas chromatography
Generate and interpret faecal steroid biomarker datasets
Compare data with sedaDNA, pollen, pXRF, and archaeological evidence
Assist with lab troubleshooting, quality control, and GC-MS/GC-FID
Present findings at workshops and contribute to publications

Application Process

How to Apply

Submit your application via the Durham University recruitment portal. Ensure all required documents are uploaded and eligibility criteria are clearly addressed.

Required Documents: