MARINE GEOARCHAEOLOGIST/GEOSCIENTIST

Wessex Archaeology is a key partner in the offshore renewables industry providing heritage sector support at all stages from EIA to Operations and Maintenance for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. If you are interested in supporting offshore wind, power interconnector, hydrogen and carbon capture projects and have a background in geoscience and palaeolandscape research we would like to hear from you. We are amongst the UKs leading and most comprehensive archaeological service providers, with a market leading geoarchaeology team servicing both marine and terrestrial projects.

We are seeking to employ a talented professional to the role of Marine Geoarchaeologist/Geoscientist. You will take a lead role in the provision of our exciting and varied portfolio of projects investigating submerged palaeolandscapes, working closely with colleagues in our Marine Geophysics department and Geoarchaeology team. 

This is a permanent role and depending on experience we are looking to appoint at either Senior or Principal Geoarchaeologist or Geoscientist level depending on experience.

About us

The Geoarchaeology and Environmental team forms a key component of the Geoservices directorate (including Marine Geophysics, Terrestrial Geophysics and Geomatics), bringing together technical experts from across a wide range of scientific disciplines at all stages of their careers. The role is envisaged to adapt to the skillsets of the successful candidate between these disciplines.

As a team, we get to design and work on an exciting range of projects within both marine, near-shore and terrestrial environments, both within the UK and Internationally, working closely alongside our Coastal and Marine, Consultancy and Fieldwork teams.

Our objective is to pursue projects which engage the curiosity and expertise of our teams, working on behalf of our clients to find innovative and creative solutions to complex problems while providing positive social benefits and legacies.

We are confident that we can offer a challenging and rewarding role with opportunities across an exciting range of projects.

About you

Are you currently a working in commercial archaeology or geology, a closely related industry and/or a discipline or have recently completed a post-graduate degree and are looking for a new and challenge career path in geoarchaeology?

Candidates should ideally hold a post-graduate qualification in Geoarchaeology, Quaternary Science, Geophysics, Geology, Geomorphology or a closely related discipline.

We would expect you to be experienced and confident in the description and interpretation of Quaternary sedimentary sequences, with a solid understanding of marine and terrestrial depositional environments and processes. Experience interpreting marine geophysical data would be highly advantageous. Previous experience of deposit modelling is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. You should also have excellent report writing and communication skills.

A key part of the role will involve supporting, supervising, and providing training to colleagues as well as providing advice to teams across Wessex Archaeology and our external clients. In addition, you will contribute to tender documents under the supervision of the Geoarchaeology Manager, contribute to technical peer review and quality assurance and act as a subject matter expert in defined areas of expertise. Previous experience of project management would be desirable, but training will be provided. Existing experience in British Archaeology is not essential and opportunities will be provided to build experience in this area. A publications record would be advantageous but there will be opportunities to develop your publication portfolio while in post.

Location

Wessex Archaeology’s Geoarchaeology team operates nationwide. The post would be based at our Salisbury office. Hybrid working and the option to relocate to one of our regional offices at a later date could be an option if desired.

 We offer

• 22 days leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 27 after 5 years’ service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Paid sick leave and generous life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme, a confidential independent counselling service
• Generous maternity, paternity and shared leave options
• Time off in lieu, subsistence payments, CSCS cards and PPE (depending on tasks & role)
• Individual training and development, mentoring, annual appraisal, personal development plans and career progression maps;
• Bike2Work scheme;
• Potential for hybrid working, with agreed time shared between the office and home with IT support;
• Relocation allowance 

Applicants are invited to submit a completed application form, along with a CV and covering letter. Applications to be emailed to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. Applications must be received by close of business on Friday 25^th November 2022. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged. Application form and full role profile can be found at: www.wessexarch.co.uk/vacancies, and potential applicants are welcome to contact Alex Brown, Geoarchaeology Manager (a.brown@wessexarch.co.uk) with any queries.

Whilst Wessex Archaeology welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, it is essential that the successful candidate must by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment. However, Wessex Archaeology is prepared to sponsor the right candidate under a relevant skilled worker visa scheme.