Main Duties
There are a number of specific aspects of this 24-month post but in general, you will be leading with development and augmentation of an existing modelling framework for preservation potential of shipwrecks, based on combined environmental and anthropogenic sources of information. The main component of this work will be on model development and validation for a preservation potential model. It is envisaged that this work will allow for better information support for heritage managers to help quantify the threat and challenges associated with the site dynamics and the associated environmental response under various emerging climate scenarios. The work will feed into the development of decision support tools by providing an empirical framework for determining threats to preservation potential that are relevant to the environment and context within the regional seas of north-west Europe. You will form part of a dynamic team and use state-of-the-art research equipment and modelling techniques to investigate geomorphological and site formation processes in an area of considerable cultural, social and economic value.
Specifically, you will:
- Lead and contribute to the analysis of data and scientific writing for preparation of high-quality international peer reviewed publications.
- Undertake a review and collate existing datasets for the area using archival materials from government and academic partners.
- Lead on the development of innovative approaches to regional scale marine environmental modelling for geoarchaeology, using best practice and emerging techniques where appropriate.
- Liaise with the relevant authorities to deal with vessel monitoring data (VMS) spatial management and analytics related to fishing vessel interactions with cultural heritage materials.
- Support with the development of socio-ecological work with fishers, divers and resource stakeholders on the nature of the interaction with the archaeological, cultural heritage resource.
- Attend and present at relevant international research conferences and project meetings.
- Coordinate between the wider ENDURE consortium to ensure timely delivery of subelements of the project plan.
- Contribute to the development of grant proposals associated with the work of the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences.
- Drive University and hire vehicles used for fieldwork, also including boat work.
- Work outside normal hours and during inclement weather, on occasion.
- Perform other duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the post.
The research project is inherently interdisciplinary, and the applicant will be part of a collaborative team whose main goal is to develop an understanding of the decay processes of underwater archaeological sites, including shipwrecks and submerged prehistoric sites, to sustainably manage and preserve them. The research area lies at the intersection of marine geoarchaeology and cultural resource management.
Essential Selection Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree, or higher or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Marine Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
- A doctorate held or in the final stages of completion, in Marine Science, Environmental Science or a related discipline, preferably with ecological application.
- Relevant experience of marine modelling at a range of scales (regional to site specific), with related skills in GIS for marine data, workflows and data products.
- Relevant experience of dealing with fishing vessel operations, including vessel monitoring systems (VMS) data, spatial dynamics of fleet behavior.
Salary: £33,020 – £36,654
Application deadline: September 2, 2025
