Job Purpose

To manage archaeological, geoarchaeological, palaeoecological, earth science, environmental geo-spatial technical aspects to the UKRI- funded project, ‘Rapid Engagement with Stressed Peatland Environments and Communities in Transformation (RESPECT)’, working in a trans-disciplinary environment to accelerate the UKs trajectory towards net-zero. The post-holder will work closely with Prof Nicki Whitehouse, Archaeology, Dr Adrian Bass, Earth Sciences, Dr Jiren Xu, Environmental Sciences, alongside other work package contributors at the University of Glasgow, University of Hull, University of Stirling,  and the project PI, Prof Jill Robbie, Law. This technical role will involve collaborative working across an interdisciplinary team of academics and a variety of external stakeholders. These activities will be part of the appointee’s tasks, alongside the primary technical focus of the role.

You will provide specialist technical expertise in landscape geoarchaeology/palaeoecology including field data collection and laboratory analyses at both experimental catchments, The Forth and Humber Estuary. You will provide specialist technical expertise in landscape geoarchaeology/palaeoecology including field data collection and laboratory analyses in the case study regions. You will have experience and familiarity with taking peat cores, organising fieldwork and be responsible for identifying suitable field sites in line with project objectives; you will have working knowledge of standard GIS software, such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and have practical experience with a range of standard laboratory geoarchaeological and palaeoecological techniques (e.g. LOI; sediment and particle size analysis; sampling for radiocarbon dating and other palaeoecological techniques; pollen analysis; pXRF) and applying these in a laboratory setting; you should be experienced with handling and analysing data derived from fieldwork and laboratory work; drawing up location maps and stratigraphic data and analysing these; report writing; running simple landscape, hydrological or catchment scale carbon cycling models under the direction of the research team. Familiarity with coding languages such as R and Python will be an advantage. You will be responsible for the creation and operation of the geoarchaeological/palaeoecological technical resources to aid the delivery of research objectives. You will lead fieldwork within the catchment regions (in collaboration with PI’s and PDRA’s), especially auger survey and collection of field samples and undertake a range of support activities in line with the needs of the work package.

This position is based in Work Package 1, Peatlands through Time and Space, responsible for linking together the past and future capacity of land in the case study regions to contribute to a net-zero future and help prioritise areas for peatland restoration.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Undertake specialist geoarchaeological and palaeoecological field and technical aspects of the project and provide laboratory technical expertise within geoarchaeology/palaeoecology and earth science as a member of the research group. Where required, support the supervision and training of students or other technical/research staff.

2. Be responsible for the management of geoarchaeology/paleoecology technical aspects of the research project, including where relevant, fieldwork, management of the laboratory, technical resources, and technical staff. Ensure timely and operational delivery of technical resources is optimised and seek to continuously improve the technical service.

3. Independently generate ideas and implement agreed proposals for experimental strategies.

4. Design and create experiments, systems, protocols, equipment, and/or other technical resources to support the delivery of research objectives.

5. Keep up to date with developments in relevant research/technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised.

6. Be responsible for troubleshooting complex technical problems, including issues with the design and operation of technical resources and/or with the data which is generated.

7. Undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems or anomalies, and present findings clearly to research group and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.

8. Where relevant, take day to day control of technical research budget, making informed decisions and advice on purchasing of capital equipment and consumables following consultation with appropriate colleagues.

9. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements. Where relevant, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI/service/facility manager, Safety Committee and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.

10. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/Institute/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma] or equivalent, in relevant science subject

A2 Demonstrable, detailed technical knowledge in geoarchaeology/palaeoecology field and laboratory analysis within an Archaeological, earth science or environmental science context

A3 Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory and field Health and Safety legislation.

A4 Clean driving license.

Desirable:

B1 BSc Degree or equivalent in Archaeological Science, Quaternary Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, or related relevant discipline is desirable.

B2 Knowledge of Equality and Diversity policy

Skills

Essential:

C1 Skills in geospatial analysis of geoarchaeological, palaeoecological, Quaternary, and/or earth science/environmental data

C2 Skills in field survey and sampling using geoarchaeological/palaeoecological techniques

C3 Skills in mapping sites on the ground using survey equipment (e.g. dGPS)

C4 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages, including QGIS, ArcGIS

C5 Demonstratable significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data

C6 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a research group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C7 Excellent numeracy and literacy skills.

C8 Ability to work individually and as part of a team

C9 Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

Desirable:

D1 Extensive experience of field augering within wetland environments

D2 Skills in running and developing landscape and/or hydrological models, and/or catchment scale carbon cycling models

D3: Skills in coding environments such as R and/or Python

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development

E2 Experience in core landscape geoarchaeological/palaeoecological field techniques (coring and survey) and laboratory analytical methods, including but not limited to LOI, sediment analysis, sediment sampling, radiocarbon dating, pollen analysis, pXRF and associated interpretation work

E3 Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students

E4 Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales

E5 Field experience to collect geoarchaeological/palaeoecological, Quaternary, Earth Science or Environmental Science data

Desirable:

E1 Extensive field experience within geoarchaeology, palaeoecology, Quaternary, and/or Environmental Science context

E2 Experience of running field campaigns, including logistics and field team supervision

E3 Experience of running complex landscape and hydrological models, under supervision

E4 Previous research experience around land-use decisions

E5 Previous experience working in peatland contexts

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended with funding available up until 31st March 2028.

We anticipate a start date as 3rd August 2026.

Further Enquiries: Any further enquiries on this post may be directed to Prof Nicki Whitehouse, nicki.whitehouse@glasgow.ac.uk or Dr Adrian Bass, Adrian.Bass@glasgow.ac.uk

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Thursday 16th July 2026