Field Archaeologist x 8 (Fixed Term)

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit which is part of the Department of Archaeology is recruiting Field Archaeologists for a range of archaeological excavations, evaluations and surveys throughout East Anglia. Confirmed sites include prehistoric landscapes, Iron Age and Roman settlements and various urban sites.

The CAU has several sites scheduled for Summer 2026 - Spring 2027 which include evaluations, and large-scale open area excavations and we are looking to recruit archaeologists on 12-month fixed term contracts.

Field Staff will assist in delivering fieldwork services to a professional standard and to strict deadlines. The CAU has 8 Field Archaeologist posts available.

Requirements:

• It is essential that applicants have a degree in Archaeology. A related subject degree will only be considered if the candidate has sufficient practical on-site excavation experience. This will be determined by the University.
• Applicants must demonstrate an interest and knowledge of British Archaeology and have some fieldwork experience, this could include a training excavation or work experience placement. Preference will be given to those with a record of working in commercial field archaeology.
• It is essential that the role holder is able to work with and liaise professionally with colleagues and occasionally, the public.
• Applicants will be fast learners, capable of assisting colleagues & the site director to follow specifications laid out in archaeological briefs, follow CIfA best practice, H&S legislation, and respond to client deadlines.

Please view the Further Particulars document to access the duties of the role, and essential and preferred role requirements.

Successful applicants will preferably have one or more of the following: Have a clean UK/ EU driving licence, the post holder will need to visit archaeological projects in remote and rural locations, Membership of CIfA, a First Aid at Work qualification. Other relevant H&S qualifications (eg: documented Manual Handling training)

Please include information regarding projects you have worked on and particularly fieldwork skills such as archaeological field schools, training digs, research excavations etc and any commercial archaeology experience obtained.

Applicants with interests/skills in period specialisms, artefacts, environmental archaeology, illustration and survey should highlight these skills. Opportunities may exist to develop these skills with appropriate training provided.

The roles are full-time and the role holders will ideally be in post latest by 30th June 2026, funding for these posts is available for 12 months from the agreed start date.

If all the roles are filled - candidates who miss early recruitment rounds, and meet all the eligibility criteria can contact the Administration team to declare their interest in having their applications held in a pool for future recruitment opportunities. The Administration team can be contacted via (cauhr@arch.cam.ac.uk)

Should candidates at any point wish to withdraw their application, please email the Administration team with your request.

Candidates who do not meet all the eligibility criteria are welcome to resubmit their application once missing criteria have been achieved.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The closing date will be 23.59 [GMT] on 30th June 2026.

Applications will be reviewed regularly on receipt. Candidates will be contacted and interviewed frequently till the available roles are filled, therefore it would be to a candidates advantage to apply as soon as possible. The University reserves the right to close this job advert early / before the closing date when the available posts have been filled.

Informal enquiries should be directed to the Administration team (cauhr@arch.cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference JD49262 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Department of Archaeology - CAU

Salary

£27,205.00 [from May 2026]

Reference

JD49262

Category

Research

Date published

1 April 2026

Closing date

30 June 2026

Download further information

• Further Particulars