Senior Field Archaeologist - Grade II (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge - Department of Archaeology - CAU

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (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 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 5 Senior Field Archaeologist (Grade II) posts available.

Requirements:

• Degree in Archaeology - essential. A related subject degree will only be considered if the University determines that a candidate has significant and demonstrable practical on-site excavation experience.
• Applicants must demonstrate significant experience of working in British Developer Funded archaeology and research experience which includes extensive fieldwork experience.
• It is essential that the role holder is able to 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 and to stratigraphically site excavation slots to obtain the maximum amount of information.
• Applicants must be 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.
• 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, volunteers.

Please view the Further Particulars for the duties of the role, and essential and preferred role requirements.

Successful applicants will preferably have one or more of the following: clean UK/EU Driving Licence, Membership of CIfA, First Aid at Work qualification. Other relevant H&S qualifications (e.g. documented Manual Handling training).

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, fixed-term for 12 months, and the role holders will ideally be in post at the latest by 30th September 2025.

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

Please quote reference JD46973 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.