Research Assistant – Regato Project (1.0 FTE) (V25.0354)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position within the archaeological project ‘The impact of Roman imperialism in the West: Settlement dynamics and rural organization in Iron Age and Roman Portugal’, funded by the Cultuurfonds (Regato fund) and led by Prof. dr. Tesse Stek and Dr. Anita Casarotto. The Research Assistant's primary responsibility will be to support and organize the archaeological field campaigns in Portugal, in line with the project leaders’ goals. The position is based at the Groningen Institute of Archaeology and involves frequent travel to Portugal for fieldwork.

Key Responsibilities:

• Taking a leading role in organizing, conducting, and participating in field campaigns in Portugal, including excavations, pedestrian surveys, geophysical and remote sensing surveys, material studies, and geoarchaeological and archaeometric sampling. Examples of current fieldwork by the Regato team are available on this webpage: https://www.knir.it/en/onderzoeksproject/guarda-archaeological-project-portugal/
• Providing academic supervision and teaching to students prior and during fieldwork and (where applicable) contributing to the supervision of early-career researchers or PhD candidates. Performing scientific research, and managing logistical tasks: using the project budget, e.g. transporting equipment, arranging shipment and purchases, booking accommodation and meals for field teams, and renting and driving vehicles.
• Collecting and processing data, and ensuring regular backups to RUG and KNIR storage systems. Short stays at the KNIR Institute in Rome may be required for handling material, equipment, or data.
• Visiting libraries in Rome or Lisbon for bibliography collection, if necessary.
• Acquiring or purchasing (using the project budget) legacy data, bibliographies, cartography, and remote sensing data, and analysing these in comparison with newly collected field data.
• Producing databases, reports, drawings, maps, and digital models of landscapes and archaeological finds.
• Conducting geospatial analyses in GIS, including work with LiDAR data, aerial imagery, and other remote sensing data.
• Developing a webGIS platform to host field-collected data, legacy datasets, and geospatial analysis outputs of the project. Technical support from the RUG Geodienst is available.
• Contributing to the development of theoretical frameworks within the project, potentially leading to new sub-projects. Contributing to the development of innovative methodologies in archaeological fieldwork and geospatial analysis, and to apply these within independent research strands.

The research assistant should be adaptable, flexible, and able to respond to the evolving needs of the project, which may deviate from the tasks listed above. He/she must also ensure that project data is not shared or used outside of the project without prior approval.

• A Master’s degree or PhD in Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, Geography, Digital Humanities, Ancient History, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in geospatial, 3D, and image-processing software for data collection and analysis.
• Experience working with GIS, QField, total stations, geophysical equipment, and drones.
• Experience in stratigraphic excavations (in particular), as well as in field surveys and remote sensing.
• Experience with lab-based find processing, drawing, and classification of ceramic and metal artifacts. Familiarity with Iberian pottery classification methods is an asset.
• Experience with open data and data management for (web)GIS applications.
• A valid driver’s license for the full duration of employment, with the willingness and ability to rent and drive vehicles as needed. All related costs (e.g., rental fees, fuel, parking, and tolls) will be covered by the project.

We offer in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for Dutch universities

• It is an employment contract for the duration of 3 months, ending by operation of law after this period.
• A salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,378 to a maximum of € 5,331 (salary scale 10, UFO profile Research Office 1) gross per month for a full-time position.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Participation in a pension scheme for employees.
• Favourable tax agreements for non-Dutch applicants may be applicable.
• 232 holiday hours per calendar by full-time employment.

The position starts as soon as possible

Applications must be submitted in English and include the following

• A cover letter explaining your motivation for applying, your suitability for the role, and how your past research experience aligns with the project.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts (or a list of grades).

Deadline
You may apply for this position until 17 June 11:59pm / before 18 June 2025 Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our University. We are committed to building a diverse faculty so you are encouraged to apply. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP), https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.