Job Description:

The Kelsey Museum is seeking a graduate student to assist with preliminary work on a large-scale archaeological project intended to hone new methods and technologies for revealing what lies beneath long-occupied, deep, and densely built modern cities. The overall project involves the development and testing of geophysical methods (e.g. Ground Penetrating Radar, Seismics, Acoustics) appropriate to subsurface prospection in both developed urban environments and in submerged (underwater) contexts. The role of the graduate student involves a literature review to identify archaeological sites/zones meeting project criteria to help determine the location of the first phase of the project.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature review to identify archaeological sites/zones meeting criteria specified by project faculty and staff
• Compile and synthesize relevant literature/reports pertaining to each site
• Identify archaeological projects, institutions, and personnel working at each site/zone
• Compose and present results to project faculty and staff

Time Frame:

October 2026 through December 2026, with possible extension into Winter 2027.

Job Requirements:

Candidates should be able to work well independently and in a team, be detail-oriented and organized, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of geophysical and/or archaeological methods.

Preference will be given to candidates with training in the fields of archaeology, earth sciences, ancient history, Middle East studies, and related disciplines.

Candidates must be available for Fall 2026 and ideally into Winter 2027, depending on project needs.

To apply, submit a résumé and a brief cover letter addressing the needs of the position to Jennifer Kirker (jkirker@umich.edu) by Monday, October 5, 2026.