Postdoctoral Research Associate: Geoarchaeology of Drowned Gulf Landscapes

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate: Geoarchaeology of Drowned Gulf Landscapes

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Anthropology

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,500.00 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

The Department of Anthropology at Texas A&M University is hiring a new Postdoctoral Research Associate to study the geoarchaeology of drowned Gulf landscapes.

Join a dynamic research team supporting cultural resource stewardship of the offshore Coast region. This position plays a key role in developing best practice recommendations for archaeological surveys conducted prior to activities under the oversight of the Minerals Management Agency (formerly BOEM) as part of a cooperative agreement with MMA. This position involves analyzing extensive legacy datasets from decades of offshore surveys, analyzing new datasets collected during this project, conducting geoarchaeological survey offshore, analyzing geoarchaeological samples, developing Tribal capacity for submerged landscape archaeology, and helping inform future survey methodologies and technologies. Responsibilities include laboratory analysis of sediment cores and geologic materials, participation in offshore research cruises and onshore training workshops, and conducting geoarchaeological fieldwork and data interpretation. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to all stages of geoarchaeological research while supporting meaningful partnerships and advancing the understanding of submerged cultural landscapes.

Opportunities to Contribute:

• Develop updated/refined regional paleo-landscape reconstructions to identify the aerial extent and below-seabed depth of areas in the Gulf with the potential to contain preserved pre-Contact archaeological remains as well as those areas with low or no potential.
• Participate in offshore research and data analysis of remote sensing data and geoarchaeological samples from Gulf fieldwork.
• Visit archival geoarchaeological datasets and collect samples. Analyze sediments and radiocarbon samples.
• With project partners, engage Tribal communities to seek their perspectives on the purpose, design, and results of this study and incorporate these perspectives into the landscape and survey models.
• With project partners, make sure that new data and legacy data are properly maintained with metadata kept to international standards.
• With project partners, work on quarterly, annual, and final reports, and prepare scholarly articles on findings. 

Qualifications

• Appropriate PhD in a related field.
• Open water SCUBA certification. 

A well-qualified candidate may also possess:

• Experience with Southeastern archaeology.
• Experience with offshore research and sediment core analysis.
• Strong track record of journal article publications, external funding, and experience in geophysical data analysis.
• AAUS scientific diver.
• Experience with some or all of the following: GIS, remote sensing, geomorphology, geophysics, geoarchaeology, oceanography, or paleoclimatology or similar areas.
• Master's degree with ABD classification in Anthropology, Archaeology, or a related field, such as Geology, Geophysics, or Oceanography
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Attention to detail.

Salary: $54,000.00

Special Note: This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Schedule/Location: Position is located in the Center for the Study of the First Americans, College Station, Tx. Fieldwork, archival sediment sampling, and meetings with project partners will require travel throughout the Gulf Coast. Fieldwork, sampling, travel, and meetings may require work on the weekend and/or after normal hours.

What You Need to Do: 

Select the Apply button to begin your application. For best consideration, please submit your applications by October 20, 2026. Additionally, please submit a cover letter detailing your experience in geoarchaeology and submerged landscape research, a CV, and the names and contact information of three academic references. If you are ABD, your dissertation advisor must be one of these references. References will be contacted along with invitations to interview for the position. Submitting these documents is strongly recommended and will help us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service. 

Anthropology, in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the study of what it means to be human in the broadest sense, through an examination of culture and society (sociocultural and linguistic anthropology), the biology and evolution of humans and our closest relatives (biological anthropology) and the study of past human communities and material culture (archaeology).  Students develop an appreciation of the value of physical and cultural differences at the local, national, and global levels, and learn critical thinking skills that support them in their careers.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.  

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month 
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time 

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job applications data entered, or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a Linkedin profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.