Research Associate

MOLA
Closing date: 
Monday, February 21, 2022
Contract
12 month fixed term contract
Salary
£30,214 - £33,746 (depending upon experience)
Location
London

Summary

Fixed term contract for 12 months to start March 2022

MOLA is a highly experienced and innovative archaeology practice, and one of the leading voices in the profession. Our expert commercial services support clients in their sustainable development, and we conduct highly significant research both as part of the development process and independently within our own framework. As an education charity our aim is to inspire people to be curious about their heritage, and we set out to share our knowledge and information with the widest audience possible.

We are currently recruiting for a Research Associate (RA) who will design, undertake and report on occupational ethnography as part of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project ‘Bringing the Past to the Present: measuring, maximising and transforming public benefit from UK government infrastructure’, and leads the workflow focusing on sectoral behaviours with the aim of identifying key barriers and opportunities (more info on the project here: https://www.mola.org.uk/archaeology-and-public-benefit-ukri-future-leaders-fellowship )

The locations for this ethnographic research will be on excavation sites and in the project offices of ongoing archaeological projects at locations in Central and Southern England, as well as at project meetings which may be both online and in person. A work plan with precise programme and work outputs will be developed in co-operation with the UKRI Future Leaders Fellow Sadie Watson, enabling the successful applicant to influence the research strategy and develop their project management skills.

The Role

Relevant experience for this role is not expected to be specific to archaeology. The focus is on rigorous occupational ethnography to better understand working and professional relationships between archaeologists and the construction sector. It is anticipated that this will be undertaken using a variety of methods such as observation, interviews and background research. The PI will provide the contextual background to the contracting archaeological sector. A key outcome will be the identification of opportunities for improving working relationships, perhaps through adaptations in (for example) language, business practices and methodologies in order to better facilitate public benefit from our work.

The ethnographic study of participants themselves is not routinely undertaken in archaeological fieldwork, whether academic or commercial in scope. Previous studies (e.g. Edgeworth 2006; Thorpe 2012) have highlighted the relevance of ethnography to potential advancements within field practice and associated public benefit but there has not yet been significant commitment to this approach.  This proposal will offer the first opportunity to engage with the archaeologists who work within the construction sector context to fully assess the current relationships and identify where there might be opportunities for amending approaches, investing in communication strategies and engaging with construction sector stakeholders in different ways.

We are very open to approaches from people working in (or with experience of) comparator sectors and there are currently no assumptions as to what these might be.

We are also keen that the Research Associate provides some internal CPD for colleagues and will help to lead the development of rigorous and responsible ethnographic research at MOLA.

This appointment will provide the post-holder with development opportunities within MOLA, a major archaeology and built heritage practice and UKRI Independent Research Organisation. These opportunities could include fieldwork skills gained as part of the occupational ethnography placements on our ongoing projects and/or commercial practice. There will also be provision within the programme for the successful applicant to develop their own research, present papers at conferences and develop a publication record.

The role is due to start in March. Please note that we are open to a degree of flexibility with the start date so please don’t be dissuaded from applying but do state your current commitments and we will endeavour to accommodate. Due to the funding structure this post will have to be completed by August 2023.

Flexibility in work location and working hours is available although this role will involve a degree of site-based work in Central and Southern England. A laptop and access to remote systems will be provided. 

For more information about the role(s) and to have an informal chat, please contact Sadie Watson (swatson@mola.org.uk).

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply via our recruitment portal on the website.

The closing date is Monday 21 February 2022 with interviews happening shortly afterwards.

Further reading:

Edgeworth, M. 2006, (ed), Ethnographies of Archaeological Practice: Cultural Encounters, Material Transformations, AltaMira Press: Lanham and Oxford

Pink, S, Tutt, D and Dainty, A, 2013, Introducing ethnographic research in the construction industry, In Pink, S, Tutt, D and Dainty, A (eds), Ethnographic Research in the Construction Industry, Routledge: London and New York.  2-22.

Thorpe, R. 2012, Often Fun, Usually Messy: Fieldwork, Recording and Higher Order of Things, in H. Cobb, O. Harris, C. Jones, C & P. Richardson (ed.) Reconsidering Archaeological Fieldwork: Exploring On-Site Relationships Between Theory and Practice, Springer: New York, 31-52.

For full details of the required competencies and experience please see the Job Description and Personal Specification

MOLA have a policy of mentoring and training for staff at all levels to develop individual capability and enhance career prospects.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to commencement.

MOLA promotes diversity and equality of opportunity at all levels, and welcomes applications from people regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion or belief.

 

CIfA Registered Organisation logoMOLA is a CIfA Registered Organisation

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