Assistant Researcher

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, invites applications for a hands-on geoarchaeology technician position supporting the Odyssey Archaeological Research program and FAST. This full-time role runs 8a-5p, Monday through Friday, with funding for up to one year.

Responsibilities include cataloging excavated materials, conducting geophysical surveys, and assisting with report production. Start date anticipated in October 2026, with ongoing instructional duties for hourly students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or HS education with four years of experience.
• Experience with archaeology excavations.
• Experience cataloging, digitizing and recording artifacts.
• Experience conducting geophysical surveying, including magnetometry, ground-penetrating radar, GPS, and electrical resistivity.

Responsibilities

• Catalog and process archaeological materials recovered during excavations.
• Conduct geophysical surveys for the FAST program.
• Instruct hourly students involved with cataloging and processing archaeological materials.
• Process and interpret geophysical data and prepare for technical reports.
• Assist with equipment maintenance and production of technical reports for the FAST program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Archaeology fieldwork

Artifact cataloging

Artifact digitization

Geophysical surveying

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4 yrs exp alternative

Tools

Magnetometry

Ground-penetrating radar

GPS

Electrical resistivity

Job description

Position Overview

Conduct geoarchaeological and geophysical research for the Odyssey Archaeological Research program and the Forensic & Archaeological Subsurface Targets (FAST) program. Position is 40 hours per week, 8a-5p, Monday through Friday. Learn more about the Kansas Geological Survey.

This position has funding for up to one year.

Job Description

• 35% - Catalog and process archaeological materials recovered during excavations.
• 25% - Conduct geophysical surveys for the Forensic and Archaeological Subsurface Targets (FAST) program.
• 15% - Instruct hourly students involved with cataloging and processing archaeological materials recovered during excavations.
• 15% - Process and interpret geophysical data and prepare for technical reports.
• 5% - Assist with equipment maintenance and production of technical reports for the FAST program.
• 5% - Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Qualifications will be measured by application material submitted.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or HS education and four years of experience.
• Experience with archaeology excavations.
• Experience cataloging, digitizing and recording artifacts.
• Experience conducting geophysical surveying, including magnetometry, ground-penetrating radar, GPS, and electrical resistivity.

Preferred Qualifications

Qualification will be measured by application material submitted.

• Completion of archaeological field school.

Advertised Salary Range

$41,800 annually ($20.10 per hour)

Application Review Begins

Monday October 5, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 12, 2026