Tag: geoarchaeology

GEOARCHAEOLOGIST 

https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geoarchaeologist-0

GEOARCHAEOLOGIST 

Geoarchaeologist (Supervisor) £28,066 to £31,453
Geoarchaeologist (Project Officer) £31,019 to £35,984
Based in Salisbury, other offices and hybrid working will be considered
Permanent
Reference: SALGEO.03.25
Close date: Friday 18 April 2025

Why join us? 

Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment – above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector, and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way.
 

The role – what’s involved?  

Are you passionate about geoarchaeology and uncovering history through the study of past landscapes? We’re looking for enthusiastic, curious individuals to join our growing team amidst rising demand for our specialist services. We’re keen to hear from geoarchaeologists already working in commercial archaeology, as well as archaeologists who have some initial experience in geoarchaeology and a desire to develop a career path in this direction. 
 

You can expect to be involved in a wide range of specialist-led projects relating to terrestrial, near-shore and offshore environments, which will include specialist desk-based assessments, borehole surveys and monitoring of Ground Investigation works, Pleistocene and Palaeolithic evaluation and mitigation works, palaeoenvironmental assessments, submerged palaeolandscape assessments and much more. Wessex Archaeology is a market leader in the provision of geoarchaeological services across terrestrial, intertidal and marine environments, and current team comprises geoarchaeologists at all stages of their career, including specialists of international standing in Marine, Pleistocene/Palaeolithic and Holocene geoarchaeology.
 

You will have the opportunity to work closely with other technical experts across Geoservices, Marine Geophysics, Terrestrial Geophysics, Environmental and Geomatics), Fieldwork, Coastal and Marine and Heritage teams on some of the most exciting and high-profile archaeological sites and projects in the UK.
 

Main responsibilities will include: 

The precise responsibilities of the role will depend on the grade at which the successful candidate is appointed (Supervisor or Project Officer). Further details are provided in the role specification.
 

Candidates will ideally have a degree/post-graduate degree in geoarchaeology, archaeology, Quaternary science, or a closely related Earth Science subject. You will be confident in the description and interpretation of Quaternary sedimentary sequences with a solid understanding of depositional environments and processes. You will have strong reporting and communication skills, along with a willingness to learn and expand your knowledge. Previous experience of working in a commercial environment, including fieldwork, is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. Existing experience in British archaeology and deposit modelling is not essential as you will be given the chance to build your expertise in this area through training and mentorship. 
 

Desirable certification  

  • Hold a post-graduate qualification in Geoarchaeology, Archaeology, Quaternary Science or a closely related discipline
  • Confident in describing and interpreting Quaternary sediments in both an archaeological and geoarchaeological context
  • Experience working in a commercial environment, including fieldwork experience
  • Sound knowledge of terrestrial depositional environments and processes
  • Excellent report writing and communication skills
     

We offer:

  • 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.
  • Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
  • Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 6.5%.
  • Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary. 

Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits

  • Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
  • Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
  • 5 days of carers leave.
  • Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
  • Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
  • Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
  • AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family. 
     

Sustainability and other benefits 

  • Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
  • Bike2Work scheme.
  • 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
  • High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
  • Free transport from regional offices to sites.
  • Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
  • Subsistence allowance.

How to apply 

Interested in working with us? 
 

Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by close of business on Friday 18 April 2025 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be held in late April/early May 2025. If you have questions about the role, then please contact Alex Brown, Geoarchaeology Manager (a.brown@wessexarch.co.uk).
 

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process. 
 

Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment. 

Internship in coastal geoarchaeology/geomorphology: Holocene evolution of European coastal dunes. Reconstruction from archaeological data. (5-6 month internship)

Internship in coastal geoarchaeology/geomorphology: Holocene evolution of European coastal dunes. Reconstruction from archaeological data. (5-6 month internship)

This internship is offered as part of the project entitled “DuneScape – Holocene Coastal DUNES Chronology and Adaptation of Past communities to the sand invasion along European coasts”. This interdisciplinary project involves different European researchers (France, Poland, Spain and Portugal) from various disciplines (archaeology, sedimentology, geomorphology, geology, biology). Along the Atlantic coast of Europe, a large number of studies have focused on the Holocene coastal dune morphodynamic with the objective of reconstructing the periods of dune installation and aeolian remobilisation, both in time and space. Most of these studies have demonstrated that the morphodynamic of Holocene coastal dunes is characterised by a succession of sand-drift events alternating with periods of dune stabilisation. Periods of dune stability have been reconstructed by the radiocarbon dating of dune paleosols interbedded within aeolian sand deposits, while Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating has been used on sandy material to date sand-drift events. However, some regions are still relatively poorly documented, mainly due to the low conservation of interbedded paleosols and the limited deployment of OSL dating. A recent study carried out on the Atlantic coast of Northwest France has developed an original method based on the analysis of existing archaeological documentation. Thus, a primary objective of this project is to apply this method to other study contexts, especially in Portugal, Spain, and Poland, in order to improve existing chronologies. This internship is intended for students with a background in archaeology, geoarchaeology, geography, geomorphology or geology who are interested in interdisciplinary approaches in paleoenvironmental sciences. Knowledge of coastal archaeological and/or geomorphological contexts in Spain and/or Portugal would be appreciated but is not mandatory. Knowledge of one or more of the project partner languages (Polish, Spanish, Portuguese or French) would also be an advantage. The scholarship student was working in partnership with other SEA-EU students. The duration and timing of the internship can be adapted (to a limited extent) to the student’s academic constraints.

Senior Geoarchaeological Consultant

https://www.mottmac.com/job/82826/senior-geoarchaeological-consultant

We are seeking to employ a Senior Geoarchaeologist to play a lead role in developing and leading our consultancy work in geoarchaeology, palaeoenvironments and deposit modelling. To meet our growing workload and specialist requirements we are looking for an experienced geoarchaeologist to develop our capabilities to undertake geoarchaeological assessment, produce geoarchaeological project designs and written schemes of investigation, manage/undertaken geoarchaeological monitoring and recording, and create deposit models. 


The role comprises, but is not limited to, developing our inhouse capabilities to undertake all elements of geoarchaeological work on infrastructure projects, from project bidding, through inception, design assessment, and fieldwork stages. Including production of reports and deposits models to support projects/planning applications, and providing specialist advise and client liaison. In addition, the successful applicant will support the Heritage Team with general archaeological consultancy work, include historic environment assessment and EIA inputs.

Candidate specification


In your application you should be able to demonstrate your interest in the opportunity to work with Mott MacDonald, as well as your suitability to the role through demonstrating relevant experience. The below details the essential and desirable candidate specifications, as well as the characteristics we’re looking for.
 
Essential

  • Well-developed professional knowledge and understanding of British archaeology/geoarchaeology
  • A relevant archaeological/geoarchaeological masters degree 
  • Competent research skills
  • Competent IT skills, including the use of relevant deposit modelling software packages (Rockworks or Leapfrog)
  • Experience of Geographical Information Systems
  • Experience of producing geoarchaeological assessments, deposit models and geoarchaeological impact assessments
  • Experience designing, costing and undertaking geoarchaeological fieldwork
  • Strong communication, and presenting skills


Desirable

  • Strong experience of geoarchaeological work
  • Experience of producing non geoarchaeological archaeological reports, including desk based assessments, WSIs and EIA inputs
  • Experience of Marine Archaeology, including associated marine deposit modelling/assessments
  • Access to a vehicle
  • First Aider
  • Full membership of CIfA

Characteristics 


We are looking for an experience geoarchaeologist with the following characteristics:
 

  • Methodical approach to problem solving
  • Ability to use your initiative to undertake tasks efficiently and independently
  • Excellent verbal communication skills, which allow you to confidently liaise with clients, stakeholders, colleagues and team members alike
  • Excellent written communication skills and ability to utilise digital tools
  • Attention to detail and ability to analyse technical information and drawings

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working 

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

  • Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
  • Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
  • Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
  • A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
  • Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

  • We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
  • Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
  • Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
  • Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
  • As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

  • A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
  • Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
  • Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

  • Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
  • Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
  • Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

 Learning and development

  • Primary annual professional institution subscription.
  • A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

  • Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
  • Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.