"Senior Field Archaeologist - Grade II (Fixed Term)"

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit, which is part of the Department of Archaeology, is recruiting Senior Field Archaeologists (Grade II) 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 2025 - Spring 2026, which include evaluations and large-scale open area excavations. 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 5 Senior Field Archaeologist (Grade II) 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 significant and demonstrable practical on-site excavation experience. This will be determined by the University.
• Applicants must demonstrate significant experience of working in British Developer Funded archaeology and/or research experience, which includes extensive fieldwork experience.
• It is essential that the role holder can communicate and liaise professionally with CAU colleagues, external contacts, and the public.
• Applicants will exhibit a high degree of precision and accuracy and the ability to problem solve independently. Applicants will be able to stratigraphically site excavation slots to obtain the maximum amount of information.
• Applicants must be capable of assisting colleagues and the site director to follow specifications laid out in archaeological briefs, follow CIfA best practice, H&S legislation, and respond to client deadlines.
• Applicants must have a proven and demonstrable record of assuming a high level of responsibility on site, including deputising for the site director.
• Applicants must have a proven and demonstrable record of assisting the site director with pre-site and on-site logistics, including supervising less experienced members of the field team, trainees, students, and volunteers.

Successful applicants will preferably have one or more of the following: a clean UK/EU Driving Licence, Membership of CIfA, a First Aid at Work qualification. Holding relevant H&S qualifications will be an advantage (e.g., documented Manual Handling training, Banksman training, Pipe & Cable detection training, Lantra Off-Road Vehicle Operating 4x4 training, SSSTS).

Please include information regarding projects you have worked on and particularly fieldwork skills such as field walking surveys, machine watching, and urban excavation experience. 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 by 30th September 2025. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months from the agreed start date. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Applications will be reviewed regularly on receipt. Candidates will be contacted and interviewed frequently until the available roles are filled. It would be to a candidate's advantage to apply as soon as possible. The University reserves the right to close this job advert early or before the closing date when the available posts have been filled. The closing date is 31 October 2025.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system and apply online. Informal enquiries should be directed to the Administration team at cauhr@arch.cam.ac.uk.