MARINE GEOARCHAEOLOGIST
Senior Geoarchaeologist: £36,925 to £42,281
Principal Geoarchaeologist: £42,286 to £48,204
Based in Amesbury, other offices and hybrid working will be considered
Permanent
Reference: AMESGEO.12.25
Closing date: 30 January 2026
Why join us?
Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.
Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector, and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way.
The role – what’s involved?
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.
We are looking for a talented professional to the role of Marine Geoarchaeologist at a Senior Level, with a background in geoarchaeology, or geoscience, and palaeolandscape research. This role sits within our Commercial Services Directorate, which brings together our main deployed services into one coordinated structure. You will work as part of a collaborative team alongside colleagues in Marine Services, Geoarchaeology, and Post Excavation and Specialist Services on an exciting range of offshore renewable energy projects located both within UK waters and internationally.
You will be keen to share your passion and expertise in geoarchaeology with others, inspiring and motivating your team to do their best work. You will 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. You will be able to show how such sequences relate to changing human behaviour in response to past climate change.
You will be someone who enjoys supporting and mentoring staff, as a key aspect of the role involves supervising colleagues and delivering training. You will also be required to provide advice to teams across Wessex Archaeology and our external clients. In addition, you will support with the writing of tender documents under the supervision of the Head of Geoarchaeology, 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. Experience interpreting marine geophysical data would be advantageous. Previous experience of deposit modelling is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Act as lead geoarchaeologist on marine projects, including supervising and supporting colleagues, undertake interpretation and reporting technical peer-review and quality assurance.
- Prepare client reports, including liaising with other specialists
- Ability to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and proactively engage with and advise colleagues and clients concerning technical aspects of projects.
- Contribute to project management under the direction of the Head of Geoarchaeology, Head of Marine Services and Principal Marine Geoarchaeologist, including responsibility for tender costs, project budgets and timescales/delivery.
The precise responsibilities of the role will depend on the grade at which the successful candidate is appointed.
Essential experience
- Hold a post-graduate qualification in Geoarchaeology, Quaternary Science, Geology, Geomorphology or a closely related discipline
- Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to engage with a broad range of people – from team members and senior leaders to clients and external partners
- Confident in describing and interpreting Quaternary superficial sediments
- Sound knowledge of marine and terrestrial depositional environments and processes
- Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment and coordinating input from a range of disciplines
- Excellent report writing and communication skills
What can you look forward to?
Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair, and inclusive working environment.
We offer:
- 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.
- Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 5%.
- Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.
Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits
- Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
- Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
- 5 days of carers leave.
- Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
- Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
- AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.
Sustainability and other benefits
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Bike2Work scheme.
- 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
- High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
- Free transport from regional offices to sites.
- Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
- Subsistence allowance.
How to apply
Interested in working with us?
Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by close of business on 30 January 2026 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be held in early February 2026 If you have questions about the role, then please contact Dr Alex Brown, Head of Geoarchaeology (a.brown@wessexarch.co.uk) and Dr Beccy Scott, Principal Marine Geoarchaeologist (B.Scott@wessexarch.co.uk).
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process.
Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.