Tag: marine-archaeologists

https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/vacancies/geoarchaeologists-0

Multiple roles including Palaeolithic/Pleistocene specialist

Geoarchaeologist £29,496 to £37,783
Senior Geoarchaeologist: £36,925 to £42,281
Principal Geoarchaeologist: £42,286 to £48,204

Based in Amesbury and Sheffield. Other offices and hybrid working considered
Permanent
Reference: GEO.09.26
Close date: 23 October 2026

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, and a market leader in the provision of geoarchaeological services across terrestrial, intertidal and marine environments. 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? 

We are looking for talented, driven and enthusiastic individuals at all grades with a desire to share and learn new skills and further develop the capacity of our established geoarchaeology team.

Geoarchaeology refers to the archaeological resource contained within geological deposits. This can include archaeology (often deeply buried artefacts and layers) and environmental remains. Assessing and interpreting these requires a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, combining archaeological, geological, geophysical and palaeoenvironmental techniques. Our team comprises geoarchaeologists at all stages of their career, including specialists of international standing in marine, Pleistocene/Palaeolithic and Holocene geoarchaeology. Our team comes from a variety of backgrounds in archaeology, geoarchaeology and Quaternary science, and has varied skills and specialisms, from stone tool identification through to pollen analysis. 

Due to continuing levels of demand for our specialist services, we are looking for talented, driven and enthusiastic individuals to join our established team at all grades with a desire to share and learn new skills, and further develop the capabilities and capacity of the Geoarchaeology team as part of the Commercial Services Directorate.

We are particularly keen to appoint a candidate at senior/principal level with demonstrable experience in Palaeolithic archaeology and Pleistocene stratigraphy. Investigation of Pleistocene deposits with potential for Palaeolithic archaeology forms a key element of our portfolio and we are keen to expand our specialist offering in this area.

We are also keen to hear from geoarchaeologists already working in commercial archaeology or closely related disciplines. You may be an archaeologist who has some experience of geoarchaeology, 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.

You will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects connected to renewable and energy infrastructure, water supply, flood alleviation and coastal defence, and peatland restoration. Our works involve the monitoring of ground investigations (trial pits and boreholes), standalone geoarchaeological borehole surveys and test pitting, as well as other intrusive works alongside colleagues in archaeological fieldwork, consultancy, and marine services. Work will also involve the laboratory-based description, interpretation and sub-sampling of borehole and monolith sequences. 

Successful candidates will contribute to and lead on interpretation and reporting, including input into desk-based assessment, deposit modelling and fieldwork, and post-excavation assessment/analysis reports. Existing experience in post-excavation geoarchaeological techniques, such as deposit modelling, is not essential as opportunities will be provided to build expertise in this area through individual training and mentorship. Candidates should have a solid practical and technical skillset together with good reporting and communication skills.

Main responsibilities will include

The precise responsibilities of the roles will depend on the grade at which the successful candidates are appointed, but will include the following:

At geoarchaeologist:

• Conduct geoarchaeological fieldwork
• Provide interpretation and advice to projects
• Review geotechnical data and undertake deposit modelling (training will be provided on the latter)
• Prepare and contribute to client reports, including collating the work of other specialists
• Prepare method statements, project designs, survey plans and risk assessments
• Assist colleagues with technical aspects of projects
• Act as lead geoarchaeologist on smaller projects, including supervision and supporting colleagues and undertaking quality control
• Contribute to wider training within the team and Commercial Services Directorate within a defined area of specialism

At senior level:

• Act as lead geoarchaeologist, including supervising and supporting colleagues, undertake interpretation and reporting, technical peer-review and quality assurance.
• Conduct geoarchaeological fieldwork
• Provide interpretation and advice to projects
• Review geotechnical data and undertake deposit modelling (training will be provided on the latter)
• Prepare risk assessments and method statements
• Prepare client reports, including liaising with other specialists
• Contribute to technical peer-review
• Act as subject matter expert (SME) in defined areas of expertise
• Contribute to tender documents under the supervision of a technical specialist and/or head of geoarchaeology
• Contribute to wider training within the team and Commercial Services Directorate within a defined area of specialism

At principal Level:

• Technical accountability for a component of the geoarchaeology specialist portfolio (e.g. Pleistocene and Palaeolithic; Holocene geoarchaeology)
• Act as lead geoarchaeologist, including supervising and supporting colleagues, undertake interpretation and reporting, technical peer-review and quality assurance.
• Prepare client reports, including liaising with other specialists
• Ability to act as a subject matter expert (SME) and proactively engage with and advise colleagues and clients concerning technical aspects of projects
• Contribute to project management under the direction of the head of geoarchaeology, including responsibility for input into tender costs, project budgets and timescales/delivery
• Autonomously design, conduct and direct geoarchaeological fieldwork
• Responsibility for approving risk assessments under head of geoarchaeology
• Lead and/or organise on-the-job training

Essential experience

• Hold a qualification and/or experience in geoarchaeology, archaeology, physical/Quaternary geology or closely related discipline 
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to engage with a broad range of people – from team members and senior leaders to clients and external partners
• At senior/principal level, candidates applying to fill the role of Palaeolithic-Pleistocene specialist must have a sound knowledge of Palaeolithic archaeology and Quaternary sediments, including a PhD, post-doctoral or equivalent experience, and experience of archaeological fieldwork.
• Confident in describing and interpreting Quaternary superficial sediments (additional training will be provided to develop skills)
• Sound knowledge of formation processes, both on archaeological sites and wider landscapes
• Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment and coordinating input from a range of disciplines
• Solid report writing and communication skills
• Full UK driving licence

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 (subject to eligibility) 
• 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 23 October 2026 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. All applications will be acknowledged within two weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be held in November 2026. If you have questions about the role, please contact Alex Brown, Head of Geoarchaeology (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.