About

• The University
• At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
• Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
• We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
• Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
• The Role and the Department
• Archaeological Services Durham University provides archaeological services to the development industry. The range of activities conducted includes excavation, evaluation, geophysical survey, historic building recording, palaeoenvironmental archaeology, and consultancy. As part of the Archaeology Department, it also supports departmental teaching and research, for example through the provision of income generation, research fieldwork and post-excavation services, and student training programmes. The Department of Archaeology is one of the UK’s top Archaeology departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and the employability of our students.
• Archaeological Services incorporates the specialist analysis of palaeoenvironmental remains, primarily recovered from archaeological excavations in northern England. It is based in laboratories in the Department of Archaeology in Durham City, where palaeoenvironmental samples and artefacts from our excavations are processed, assessed, analysed, and archives prepared. The laboratories are also used by staff and students from the Archaeology Department.
• The purpose of the role is primarily to ensure the smooth functioning of the laboratories, such that personnel and resources are coordinated to enable excavation project deadlines to be met. The work includes liaison with a range of staff within Archaeological Services and the wider Department, organisation and supervision of laboratory activities, maintenance of laboratory resources, liaison with museums and councils and preparation of archaeological archives.
• The successful candidate will of necessity be required to work in the laboratories in person. The post is available full time; applicants wishing to work part-time will be considered.
• Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.
• Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
• Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
• As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
• We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

• What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

• When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.

Your application should cover the following criteria

• Essential Criteria
• 1. Experience of and relevant knowledge, expertise and skills in archaeological post-excavation work in a laboratory environment, including working with palaeoenvironmental and/or artefactual assemblages and archiving.
• 2. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines
• 3. Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• 4. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics, or a Post-16 qualification, or equivalent experience.
• 5. Professional knowledge/recognition in archaeology supported by relevant courses or certification.
• 6. Experience of working in a team.
• 7. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues.
• 8. Experience of monitoring your own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
• 9. Strong digital competence including in spreadsheets, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems, and project planning tools.
• 10. Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development.
• 11. Strong organisational abilities applicable to yourself and a busy multi-facetted environment with a range of stakeholder requirements
• 12. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
• 13. Demonstrable attention to detail and meticulous record keeping
• 14. Ability to process archaeological substantive soil samples and artefacts within the laboratories, and to prepare archives.
• Desirable Criteria
• 15. Specialist knowledge in palaeoenvironmental remains / archaeological artefacts
• How to apply
• To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.
• While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
• Submitting your application
• We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit

• A CV
• A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
• Contact details
• If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr Charlotte O’Brien would be happy to speak to you. charlotte.o'brien@durham.ac.uk.
• Typical Role Requirements
• Planning and Organising
• · Plan and organise your workload with respect to incoming project work streams.
• · Organise and schedule resources and activities in the laboratories, including palaeoenvironmental sample and artefact processing and archiving.
• · Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.
• Service Delivery
• · Resolve queries and requests for information and advice, escalating more specialist and complex queries or issues where appropriate.
• · Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.
• · Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.
• · Monitor and analyse the use of the laboratory and its resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.
• · Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• · Use your judgement to resolve issues relevant to your role, without needing to refer to others
• Teaching and Learning Support
• · Implement laboratory -based health and safety protocols
• · Setup and prepare equipment and facilities for the delivery of teaching, research and commercial activities.
• · Provide supervision for teaching, research and commercial activities, including students and staff.
• · Apply sector and professional standards when delivering technical services to teaching, research and commercial activities.
• · Ensure the smooth running of the laboratories.
• · Prepare, update and edit written documents such as risk assessments, safety documents, reports, brochures, handbooks, policies or procedures
• · Develop new guidelines or procedures for the department
• · Find faults within apparatus / equipment and repair as appropriate.
• Teamwork
• · Provide specialist support and advice to team members.
• · Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.
• · Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.
• · Seek feedback and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.
• Communications/Liaison
• · Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
• · Provide instruction and demonstrations to interns and others within the laboratory environment
• · Keep accurate records of stock levels and liaise with colleagues to identify resource and storage requirements
• · Create good working relationships with other team members
• · Liaise with academic staff, students and colleagues in the University to ensure that services are being delivered in a smooth and efficient way.
• · Create good working relationships with staff in museums and councils.
• · Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.
• · Any other reasonable duties.
• Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
• When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.