The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Support Technician to identify, organise, and deposit digital archaeological data sets and associated metadata with the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) as a part of a project funded by HSDS.

This project seeks to tackle the challenge of facilitating continued access to existing archived datasets derived from the archaeological human remains of c. 2,000 individuals from more than c. 50 archaeological sites historically curated by the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. This project aims to bring together these existing datasets into a publicly accessible resource hosted by the HSDS to both safeguard and extend their current accessibility and ensure they remain accessible to the wider heritage sector in the future, thus facilitating research and innovation and advancing our understanding of past human populations. The project has five objectives:

1. identify the sharable data curated by the University;

2. design and populate an accessible database;

3. create relevant metadata and additional documentation;

4. record the current curating institution for each population to facilitate future research; and

5. deposit the dataset with HSDS.

Applicants must have experience equivalent to minimum qualifying GCSE grade in English and Biology or History, or equivalent Level 2 qualification, and knowledge of data produced from human osteoarchaeological analysis. Foundational knowledge of data generated during destructive and non-destructive analysis of archaeological human remains (e.g., stable-isotope analysis, radiology) is also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Familiarise yourself with the human osteology digital files, documents, and other data curated historically by the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. 

• Familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures of the HSDS, and the terms of the HSDS Small Grant awarded for this research.

• Understand the human osteology database created by HSDS and work with other project staff and HSDS staff to improve its structure, organisation, and accessibility in-line with industry best practices. 

• Identify data to deposit with HSDS. 

• Where appropriate, identify or generate metadata to deposit with HSDS. 

• Ensure data and metadata for deposition are accessible and archival in their formatting, in-line with industry best practices. 

• Deposit data and metadata with HSDS. 

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes:

Technical Career Route

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • access to menopause support in the workplace

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 09/07/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.