Job Description

About us
The UCL Institute of Archaeology is recognised as one of the leading academic departments of Archaeology with more than 60 permanent staff members pursuing high-quality research across five continents in archaeology and heritage. The institute has a long history of environmental archaeological and archaeological science research, and several staff members are regional specialists in South America, including the Amazon basin. The institute has well-equipped laboratory facilities for research in environmental archaeology and archaeological science.
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About the role
Applications are sought for a Research Fellow to both contribute their expertise and support a programme of environmental archaeological research in the Brazilian NW Amazon region. This research is part of the UKRI Voices of Indigenous Amazonia project led by Dr Arroyo-Kalin, which involves international collaborations and scientific expeditions with Brazilian scientists, UK partners, and indigenous communities of the Brazilian Amazon.
The post is funded until 30 November 2027 and is available on a full-time basis (36.5 hours per week) starting on 1 March 2026. Requests to work part-time will be considered.
About you
The successful candidate will have a PhD* in Archaeology or a closely-related field (e.g. earth science, geography, palaeoecology, or human ecology) involving substantial field- and laboratory-based research. They will have excellent laboratory skills, including the ability to work across different environmental archaeology / archaeological science / palaeoecological subdisciplines. Applicants must also have experience and knowledge of South American lowland archaeology / palaeoecology/ human ecology and the ability and willingness to travel (nationally and internationally) and to work flexibly to support the activities of the project, including undertaking archaeological fieldwork in the Amazon basin.
*The successful candidate will have obtained, or be close to obtaining, their PhD (within six months of submission). Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary 39,148 - 41,833 per annum incl. LA) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.
A full job description can be accessed at the bottom of this advert.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin at . Queries about the application process can be addressed to Louisa Goldsmith (HR Administrator) at .
To apply for the vacancy, please click on the Apply Now button.
Candidates are asked to also upload the following documents:

• A full CV (including academic and employment history, and any additional relevant skills, publication list and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be the current or most recent line manager)
• A cover Letter that states how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria as listed in the person specification within the job description
• Evidence of qualifications

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

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Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here:
Available documents

Skills Required