Assistant Researcher

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Public Partnerships & Research in Topeka, KS, invites applications for a geoarchaeological/geophysical researcher. The role supports the Odyssey Archaeological Research program and FAST, working 40 hours weekly, 8a–5p, Monday through Friday, with funding for up to one year.

Responsibilities include cataloging excavated materials, conducting geophysical surveys, mentoring hourly students, and preparing reports. Familiarity with magnetometry, GPR, GPS and resistivity is required.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Completion of archaeological field school.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Archaeology fieldwork

Artifact cataloging

Geophysical surveying

Magnetometry

Ground-penetrating radar

GPS

Electrical resistivity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

HS education + four years experience

Tools

Magnetometers

GPR (Ground-penetrating radar)

GPS equipment

Electrical resistivity equipment

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.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, submit the following documents to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter detailing how the candidate meets the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• Contact information for 3 professional references; state the relationship to references. At least one reference must be a past or present supervisor.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applications will begin Monday, October 5, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Contact Information to Applicants

Annette Delaney

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$41,800 annually ($20.10 per hour)

Application Review Begins

Monday October 5, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 12, 2026