Geoarchaeology Supervisor / Officer / Senior Officer in Cirencester

Cotswold Archaeology are recruiting for a talented and experienced Geoarchaeology Supervisor / Project Officer / Senior Project Officer (dependant on skills and experience) to join our successful and expanding Geoarchaeology team. 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 to our external clients. The role involves a mixture of office-based and site-based work, comprising:

• supervising/on-site management and assisting with the delivery and supervision of geoarchaeological projects;
• project set-up/logistics;
• production of start-up documentation (including risk assessments, method statements and written schemes of investigation works);
• undertaking 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 minimum PCIfA level (for Supervisor role) or ACIfA level (for Officer roles), or able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements and will join if appointed. Previous experience in a geoarchaeological supervisory capacity is essential for these roles. A full manual driving licence is also essential as travel across our sites will be required. The post will involve away work where overnight stays will 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 or a related Earth science subject (including Quaternary science and physical geography) or equivalent demonstrable experience in the role. 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

The position will be based at one of our four regional offices (Kemble, Milton Keynes, Andover, Needham Market; please see our other three adverts for application to any of those offices - and will involve working on sites across the UK. 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 Publications Commercial Lead, Sarah Cobain or our Environmental Manager Sarah Wyles for an informal discussion about the role: sarah.cobain@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk, sarah.wyles@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 5th August 2026. Interviews will be held in person at our Andover office w/c 17th August 2026. We will take into consideration any reasonable adjustments required to support you. Should you need adjustments during the recruitment process, or require additional support related to neurodiversity or for any other reason, please let us know by contacting careers@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk. Applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in the UK as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

Main duties of the role:

• Supervise 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;
• Undertake project setup elements, including organisation of logistics and production of startup documents (i.e. risk assessments, method statements and written schemes of investigation/project designs);
• Liaise with contractors (e.g. drilling team/plant) and stakeholders (e.g. consultants, clients and statutory bodies etc.) to ensure the successful completion of geoarchaeological projects;
• Assist with the management of geoarchaeological fieldwork programmes;
• On-site supervision 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) or equivalent demonstrable experience in the role;
• Demonstrable experience of working on geoarchaeological projects and programmes of geoarchaeological fieldwork both on-site (including geotechnical borehole surveys) and through to post-excavation;
• Report writing experience for a range of geoarchaeological reports (risk assessments, method statements, written schemes of investigation, client reports, publications);
• 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 able to communicate effectively and professionally 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, colluvial 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;
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant professional standards, guidelines, ethics and health and safety policy;
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and to work independently;
• Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records;
• Full manual driving licence and the ability and willingness to drive for work;
• Intermediate Microsoft IT skills.

Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) at Practitioner (PCIfA) level or above (or able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements and will join if appointed). The ability and willingness to commit to away work and client meetings where 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 paleoenvironmental specialism with commercial and research potential (i.e. pollen analysis, soil micromorphology, OSL dating etc.).