Geoarchaeology Officer Senior Geoarchaeology Officer

Cotswold Archaeology are recruiting for a talented and experienced Geoarchaeology Project Officer / Senior Project Officer (dependant on skills and experience) to join our successful and expanding Geoarchaeology team at any of one of our CA offices.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your career in geoarchaeology working for one of the largest and most respected archaeological companies in the country.

About the role

The successful applicant will play an important role in supporting the delivery of a varied portfolio of geoarchaeological projects across the UK. They will liaise with the Geoarchaeology Manager and Technical Specialists on projects supporting and supervising colleagues as well as providing advice to teams across Cotswold Archaeology and our external clients.

The role involves both on-site and office-based work comprising; supervising on site management and assisting with the management of geoarchaeological projects; project set-up/logistics; production of project start-up documents (including risk assessments method statements and written schemes of investigation); leading on geoarchaeological fieldwork (including monitoring of geotechnical Ground Investigations); describing and recording Pleistocene and Holocene sediment sequences; sediment sampling on archaeological sites; laboratory work; recording and interpreting Ground Investigation data; deposit modelling; production of client reports; provision of specialist advice and client liaison.

The successful candidate will be a member of CIfA at ACIfA level (or able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements and will join if appointed). A full manual driving licence is essential as travel across our sites will be required.

The post will involve an element of away work to carry out site visits lead on geoarchaeological fieldwork projects and attend client meetings where occasional overnight stays may be required.

About you

We are keen to hear from applicants with a strong geoarchaeological background who are currently working in commercial archaeology or have experience working in a closely related discipline. Candidates will ideally have a degree/post-graduate degree in geoarchaeology archaeology or a related Earth science subject (including Quaternary science and physical geography).

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate they can work effectively as part of a team and have a positive and enthusiastic approach to geoarchaeology. They will need to be confident self-motivated and able to work independently in their area of expertise. They will also possess excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise project work and ensure the delivery of high-quality project deliverables.

Experience in Pleistocene or Palaeolithic archaeology and/or a palaeoenvironmental specialism would be advantageous but is not essential.

Location

***Please note that the position can be based at one of our four regional offices*** (Kemble Milton Keynes Andover Needham Market) with hybrid working opportunities available. Our benefits include; a competitive salary; generous annual leave allowance; company sick pay; pension and life assurance schemes and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

Applying

If this sounds like you and you are looking to progress your career within a leading ambitious and forward-thinking company we would love to hear from you!

To find out more information please contact our Geoarchaeology Manager Holly Rodgers for an informal discussion about the role (email:

Closing date: 5pm 24th October 2025

Interviews will be held in person at our Andover office w/c 3rd November.

JOB SPECIFICATION

Post title: Geoarchaeology Officer / Senior Geoarchaeology Officer

Reports to: Geoarchaeology Manager

Purpose: To support the successful delivery of a varied portfolio of geoarchaeological projects safely efficiently and effectively and to assist the Geoarchaeology Manager in ensuring that the quality and efficiency of the geoarchaeological services that we provide is second to none. To lead geoarchaeological projects in the field process and assess geoarchaeological samples produce deposit models and client reports support and supervise colleagues as well as provide advice to teams across CA and our external clients.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Supervise and lead on a range of geoarchaeological projects to ensure the successful delivery of high quality deliverables on time and to budget;
• Contribute to the design and methodology of geoarchaeological projects;
• Lead on project setup elements including organisation of logistics and production of startup documents (i.e. risk assessments method statements and written schemes of investigation);
• Liaise with contractors (i.e. drilling team/plant) and stakeholders (consultants clients and statutory bodies etc.) to ensure the successful completion of geoarchaeological projects;
• Assist with the management of geoarchaeological fieldwork programmes;
• On-site management of fieldwork projects (including monitoring of geotechnical Ground Investigations) through to post-excavation;
• Identify sample and record Quaternary deposits to industry standards both in the field (hand-auger surveys borehole surveys trial trench/test-pit evaluations excavation) and in the laboratory (core processing sediment description sub-sampling);
• Identify changing circumstances and contribute to finding solutions and/or alternative approaches to meet the project objectives;
• Supervise geoarchaeological and archaeological staff undertaking fieldwork and processing to ensure that professional standards are met;
• Provide on-site/office-based inductions and training for staff and students where required;
• Assess and interpret geotechnical and geoarchaeological data in line with the identified project aims and research objectives;
• Digitise geoarchaeological fieldwork records and assessment results using Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Undertake geoarchaeological deposit modelling using industry standard software such as RockWorks and ArcGIS;
• Prepare written project reports including desk-based assessments client reports and publications;
• Contribute to outreach and public engagement activities to promote research and public benefits of archaeology;
• Contribute to the development of standards and practices within the discipline and industry;
• Ensure all projects are carried out in accordance with the CA Health Safety and Environmental policies.

Person specification:

ESSENTIAL

• Degree in geoarchaeology archaeology or a closely related Earth science subject (including Quaternary science and physical geography);
• Demonstrable experience of leading on geoarchaeological projects and programmes of geoarchaeological fieldwork both on-site (including geotechnical borehole surveys) and through to post-excavation;
• Demonstrable report writing experience for a range of geoarchaeological reports (risk assessments method statements written schemes of investigation client reports publications);
• Demonstrable geoarchaeological deposit modelling experience using industry standard software such as RockWorks and ArcGIS (or similar);
• Excellent time-management abilities to prioritise personal workload and ensure the successful delivery of a varied work programme;
• Excellent communication skills to liaise effectively and politely with colleagues clients contractors and other stakeholders;
• Detailed understanding of a range of Quaternary geological deposits and depositional environments (i.e. Pleistocene terrace deposits Holocene alluvium/peat slope deposits etc.);
• High level knowledge of geoarchaeological fieldwork best practice and recording methods;
• Ability to consistently define excavate and record a variety of geoarchaeological features/deposits in line with industry standards;
• Working knowledge of UK commercial archaeology and archaeological excavation methods;
• Knowledge of relevant professional standards guidelines ethics and health and safety policy;
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team and to work independently;
• Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records;
• Driving licence and willingness to drive for work;
• Intermediate Microsoft IT skills.

• Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) at Associate (ACIfA) level or above.
• Ability to commit to away working and client meetings where occasional overnight stays may be required.

DESIRABLE

• Post-graduate degree in geoarchaeology archaeology or a closely related Earth science subject (including Quaternary science and physical geography);
• A geoarchaeological prehistoric or palaeoenvironmental specialism with commercial and research potential (i.e. pollen analysis soil micromorphology OSL dating etc.);