Senior Field Archaeologist (Grade I) (Fixed Term)

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit which is part of the Department of Archaeology is recruiting Senior Field Archaeologists (Grade I) 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 I) 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 have proven and demonstrable experience of working in British Developer Funded archaeology and/significant research experience which includes practical fieldwork.
• It is essential that the role holder is able to work with and liaise professionally with CAU colleagues, external contacts and occasionally, the public.
• Applicants will be fast learners exhibiting a high degree of precision and accuracy and the ability to problem solve independently. 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 demonstrate the ability of assisting colleagues & the site director, taking initiative for morning pre-departure logistics, minor logistics on site and assisting with site lock up.

Please view the Further Particulars document to access more information about the role.

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.

Other relevant H&S qualifications (eg: documented Manual Handling training, Banksman training, Pipe & Cable detection training, Lantra Off-Road Vehicle Operating 4x4 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 and the role holders will ideally be in post latest by 30th September 2025, funding for these posts is available for 12 months fixed-term from the agreed start date.

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 candidate's 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. The closing date will be 23.59 on 31st October 2025.

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. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

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