Research Assistant

Texas A&M University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Texas A&M University’s Anthropology Department seeks a Research Assistant to support the Principal Investigator and conservation team in stabilizing and preserving the Revolutionary War Gunboat Philadelphia. Based in Washington, DC, the role is grant-funded and expected to conclude at the end of March 2027.

You will assist with conservation, documentation, and related project activities while supporting research and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Physically able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Hold a Class C motor vehicle license and willingness to drive to the work site or to pick up supplies.
• Minimum of six months experience working with maritime archaeological artifacts comprised of wood, iron, and composite materials.
• Experience with archaeological ship structures or disassociated ship timbers.
• Understanding of degradation processes in submerged artifacts.
• Ability to document watercraft and components to industry standards.
• DSLR artifact photography and UV reflective photography.
• Understanding of 18th–19th century ship construction.
• Familiarity with Rhino 7 (CAD).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to analyze artifact components from freshwater or seawater environments.
• Knowledge of XRF, FTIR and other analytical methods.
• Understanding of historic ship construction methods.

Responsibilities

• Repairs and stabilizes wooden and iron artifacts to ensure long-term preservation.
• Documents conservation activities to industry standards and communicates project findings to visitors and the public.
• Trains and supervises volunteer assistants while assisting the PI with preparing and maintaining the worksite for visitors.

Skills

Physical stamina

Documentation

Independent work

Writing skills

Supervisory skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in anthropology/archaeology or related field

Tools

Rhino 7 (CAD)

DSLR photography

UV photography

XRF/FTIR analysis

Job description

Job Title

Research Assistant Agency Texas A&M University Department Anthropology

Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate

Commensurate

Job Location

Washington, District of Columbia

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job Texas A&M’s Anthropology Department is seeking a Research Assistant to support the Principal Investigator and conservation team in the stabilization and preservation of the Revolutionary War Gunboat Philadelphia. This position is located in Washington, D.C. and is grant-funded expected to conclude at the end of March 2027. The Research Assistant will assist with conservation efforts, documentation, and related project activities aimed at protecting and maintaining this historically significant artifact while supporting research, educational, and public outreach objectives.

Opportunities to Contribute

• Repairs and stabilizes wooden and iron artifacts to ensure their long-term preservation.


• Documents conservation activities to industry standards and communicates project work and findings to visitors and the public.


• Trains and supervises volunteer assistants while assisting the Principal Investigator with preparing and maintaining the worksite for visitors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Physically able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.


• A well-qualified candidate for this position will also possess: Hold a Class C motor vehicle license and the willingness to drive/operate a Class-C motor vehicle to and from the work site or to pick up supplies.


• Minimum of six months experience working with maritime archaeological artifacts comprised of wood, iron, and composite materials.


• Experience working with archaeological ship structures or disassociated ship timbers.


• A thorough understanding of degradation processes involved with artifacts recovered from a submerged environment.


• Ability to documentation watercraft and component parts to industry standards.


• DSLR artifact photography and UV reflective photography.


• A strong understanding of 18th and 19th-century ship construction.


• Familiarity with Rhino 7 (CAD) software.


• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.


• Ability to analyze and characterize object components that have been recovered from freshwater or seawater environments.


• Basic understanding of the use of XRF, FTIR and other analytical methods.


• A thorough understanding of ship construction methods from the historic period with emphasis on the second half of the 18th century.


• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.


• Strong writing skills.

Salary

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience.

Funding Note

Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service. Anthropology, in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the study of what it means to be human in the broadest sense, through an examination of culture and society (sociocultural and linguistic anthropology), the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives (biological anthropology) and the study of past human communities and material culture (archaeology). Students develop an appreciation of the value of physical and cultural differences at the local, national, and global levels, and learn critical thinking skills that support them in their careers. We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 12-15 days of annual paid holidays Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Security and Background Check

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees. External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.