Geoarchaeologists & Senior Geoarchaeologists

About us

With 320+ employees and offices in Salisbury, Bristol, Meopham, Sheffield and Edinburgh, Wessex Archaeology is one of the UK’s largest archaeological service providers with over 40 years’ experience working on some of the most exciting and high-profile archaeological projects in the country.

Wessex Archaeology is a market leader in the provision of geoarchaeological services across terrestrial, intertidal and marine environments. Our current team includes geoarchaeologists at all stages of their career from Supervisor through to Geoarchaeology Manager, including specialists of international standing in Marine, Pleistocene/Palaeolithic and Holocene geoarchaeology. Due to continuing levels of demand for our specialist services, we are looking for talented, driven and enthusiastic people to join our established team and further support and develop our growing capabilities and capacity.

You can expect to work on some of the most exciting projects covering all time periods of human occupation across the UK, including submerged palaeolandscapes, terrestrial and riverine sites with the potential for Palaeolithic archaeology covering the last 800,000 years, in addition to investigations on the some of the most important post-glacial prehistoric and historic landscapes. We are confident that we can offer challenging and rewarding roles with opportunities across an exciting range of project types.

About you

We are looking for candidates with experience in geoarchaeology or a related earth science discipline including Quaternary Science and Physical Geography to take on roles at Supervisor, Project Officer or Senior Geoarchaeologist Level, depending on skills and experience.

We are keen to hear from geoarchaeologists already working in commercial archaeology or with experience working in a closely related discipline. Or perhaps you are an archaeologist who has some initial experience of geoarchaeology and/or environmental archaeology, has a willingness to learn and a desire to develop a career path in geoarchaeology? We are also interested in recent graduates or postgraduates in relevant subjects who want to start their career in geoarchaeology.

Candidates will ideally have a degree/post-graduate degree in geoarchaeology, archaeology, Quaternary science, or a closely related Earth Science subject. Candidates should have a solid skillset together with good reporting and communication skills. Previous experience of working in a commercial environment is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.

Experience in Pleistocene Pleistocene/Palaeolithic archaeology and/or a palaeoenvironmental specialism would be advantageous but not essential. Existing experience in British Archaeology is not essential and opportunities will be provided to build expertise in this area.

Geoarchaeologists (Supervisor / Project Officer (£24,696 – £32,131)

The role will be split between field and office-based work, including supervising and monitoring borehole surveys and Ground Investigation (GI) works, GI log reviews, recording and interpretating deposits, deposit modelling and contributing to a range of client reports. Contributions to reports will include but is not limited to method statements, desk based assessments, borehole surveys, watching briefs, evaluations and mitigations and submerged palaeolandscape studies.

There will be opportunities to grow in the role and develop subject matter specialisms through individual training and mentorship. At Officer level you will also act as lead on smaller projects, supervising and supporting junior colleagues, and providing advice to both colleagues and clients.

Senior Geoarchaeologist (£31,402 – £35,963)

Senior Geoarchaeologists play an important role in supporting the Principal Geoarchaeologists and Geoarchaeology Manager in the successful delivery of our varied portfolio of projects.

The role comprises, but is not limited to, project set-up/logistics, production of method statements/project designs, leading on fieldwork (including borehole surveys and Ground Investigation monitoring), recording and interpretation of GI data, deposit modelling, production of client reports, provision of specialist advice and client liaison.

You will liaise with Technical Specialists and the Geoarchaeology Manager on projects, supporting and supervising junior colleagues as well as providing advice to teams across Wessex Archaeology and our external clients. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to tender documents under the supervision of the Geoarchaeology Manager, contribute to technical peer review and quality assurance and act as a subject matter expert in defined areas of expertise. The post will involve an element of away work.

A publications record would be advantageous but there will be opportunities to develop your publication portfolio while in post.

Location

Wessex Archaeology’s Geoarchaeology team operates nationwide. The post would ideally be based at our Salisbury office, but we are happy to consider candidates who would want to be based at one of our other regional offices.

The role will include attendance on site and in such cases, good quality of accommodation, travel and subsistence are covered by Wessex Archaeology as a matter of course.

We offer

• Potential for hybrid working, with agreed time shared between the office and home with IT support;
• Relocation allowance 
• In addition to our highly competitive salaries, we are also able to offer a host of additional benefits, further details available on our website.

Applicants are invited to submit a completed application form, along with a CV and covering letter. Applications to be emailed to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. Applications must be received by close of business on Monday 18^th July 2022. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged. Application form and full role profile can be found at: www.wessexarch.co.uk/vacancies, and potential applicants are welcome to contact Alex Brown, Geoarchaeology Manager (a.brown@wessexarch.co.uk) with any queries.Whilst Wessex Archaeology welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, it is essential that the successful candidate must by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.