Archaeologists and Assistant Supervisors - Cambridge and Lancaster

Oxford Archaeology; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading archaeological practice is seeking enthusiastic field archaeologists and assistant supervisors for projects in Cambridge and Lancaster. Candidates should have a degree in archaeology and six months of relevant experience. The role offers career development through tailored training programs, competitive salaries, and various employee benefits. Successful applicants will engage in exciting excavations while receiving support for professional growth in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

6% employer pension contributions

21 days holiday plus additional days

Subsistence payments during away-based work

Paid travel time for site journeys

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Six months experience of professional archaeological fieldwork within the UK or Irish commercial environment.
• Membership of the CIfA at PCIfA level is advantageous.
• Full clean driving licence is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Join the Field Archaeologist Training Pathway for career development.
• Participate in large excavations targeting various historical sites.
• Provide supervision and training to junior team members.

Skills

Experience in archaeological fieldwork

Technical proficiency

Ability to work in a team

Education

Degree in archaeology or related discipline

Tools

CSCS card

Job description

Archaeologists and Assistant Supervisors - Cambridge and Lancaster

Permanent appointment

Required for Cambridge and Lancaster.

Oxford Archaeology is one of the largest independent archaeological practices in Europe. Our size and reputation ensure that we work on the most exciting and varied range of projects and can offer real opportunities for long term employment and career development.

We are seeking enthusiastic field archaeologists who are at Archaeologist and Assistant Supervisor grades to join our Lancaster and Cambridge offices. We would be eager for new team members to start from January 2026.

Our Cambridge office has a very busy and exciting programme of fieldwork across East Anglia and the East Midlands through 2026. Projects include large excavations targeting a Roman settlement in Bedfordshire, Iron Age and Roman farmsteads near Cambourne, and an Iron Age settlement in Northamptonshire. We also have some large scale evaluations due to commence in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Our Lancaster office is currently undertaking large-scale excavations along the route of the A66 between Penrith and Brough, just outside Cumbria’s Lake District National Park. The A66 follows the line of a Roman road across the Pennines which is punctuated by Roman forts. The Roman road traversed a natural pass thought to have been used by prehistoric communities, particularly in the exchange of Neolithic stone axes produced in the central Lake District fells. The A66 project will amount to numerous open area excavations of multi-period sites.

For any away based work, weekly accommodation will be provided in addition to OA’s usual range of employee benefits (see below).

Criteria for the Roles

Archaeologist:

Successful candidates for Archaeologist positions will join our Field Archaeologist Training Pathway which provides a clear path for career development and encourages you to record your progress through site and reading logs, as you learn new skills. The programme includes off-site training sessions lead by OA specialists and senior managers, with content including the understanding of formation processes, matrix generation, burials archaeology, environmental archaeology, Health and Safety, the exciting range of OA apps – including our digital recording system - and much more. When the required levels of competency are achieved, you will advance to Assistant Supervisor level.

Position Requirements:

• Candidates will have six months experience of professional archaeological fieldwork within the UK or Irish commercial environment. Documented evidence of competence, in the form of a completed training log from our Graduate Trainee programme or the Archaeology Skills Passport scheme will be advantageous.
• A degree in archaeology or related discipline will be highly advantageous, as will membership of the CIfA at PCIfA level.
• A full clean driving licence is desirable, as is a current CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card.

Assistant Supervisor:

Successful candidates for Assistant Supervisor positions will join our FieldAssistant Supervisor Training Pathway which includes office-based training sessions lead by OA specialists and senior managers covering areas such as Health and Safety, site survey, post-excavation, finds recognition and training and mentoring of others. You will also be given on-site training in task delegation and supervision, watching briefs, watching and record checking. As you progress through the programme you will also be given the opportunity to undertake external training courses including plant supervision (NPORS), CAT and Genny, First Aid at Work and Site Supervisors Safety Training (SSSTS). When the required levels of competency are achieved you will be in a position to apply for promotion to Supervisor grade, as vacancies arise.

Position Requirements:

• Candidates must demonstrate proven experience, technical proficiency and good working knowledge of professional archaeological fieldwork within the UK or Irish commercial environment.
• A degree in archaeology or related discipline will be highly advantageous, as will membership of the CIfA at PCIfA level.
• A full clean driving licence is desirable as is a current CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card.

Employee benefits:

• Competitive, constantly benchmarked salaries depending on grade and experience
• A company pension scheme with 6% employer contributions. Employees with ten years of employment or in project management roles gaining access to Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is one of the few remaining defined benefit schemes in the UK.
• In addition to the industry leading Fieldwork Training Pathway, we offer many other opportunities for career progression including placements and specialist training in all areas of the business, including finds, environmental, archives, post‑excavation, burials, community engagement, heritage management, historic buildings, geomatics, geoarchaeology and contracts.
• 21 days holiday (depending on length of service) with three additional concessionary days at Christmas plus Bank Holidays.
• Subsistence payment of £23.50 per night (tax free) and free, single room accommodation (usually B&B or self‑catering) during the week for away‑based projects.
• 37.5 hour (basic) week with optional paid overtime at time and a half for hours in‑excess of 37.5 hours Monday‑Friday and on Saturdays, and double time on Sundays and bank holidays.
• Paid travel time for journeys to site that take longer than one hour from the office and free transport from regional offices to sites.
• Free high quality personal protective equipment (inc. full breathable waterproofs, fleece etc).
• Comprehensive care for employee welfare through a number of policies, including: the AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Premier, generous paid sick leave, a network of mental health first aiders, and personal accident insurance.
• Annual driver’s allowance of £520 for approved drivers (pro‑rata) in addition to paid overtime for driving.
• We pay 100% of CIfA subscription fees.
• Cycle to work scheme.

If you would like to be part of a respected and established organisation, please apply by completing an application form, available from:

OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT FORM

Welcome to Oxford Archaeology online job application form. Please complete all relevant sections of this form as accurately as possible.

Thank you and good luck!

If you'd rather complete an application form by hand, you can print one from here and then post it to us.

Please enclose a CV and covering letter with your application.

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026

Oxford Archaeology is an Equal Opportunities employer. All applications are judged on the relevant skills and experience of the candidate, and not by gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, belief, age, nationality (other than where work permits may be required), or ethnicity. You must meet the requirements to live and work in the UK by UK Visas and Immigration.

Registered Charity No. 285627; Company Registration No. 1618597