Field Project Officers - Oxford and Cambridge

Field Project Officers (Permanent)

Required For Our Oxford And Cambridge Offices

Salary range £36,837 - £42,640 per annum.

Looking for experienced archaeologists to join our Oxford or Cambridge field teams at Project Officer level. Due to strong fieldwork programmes we are looking to recruit enthusiastic Field Project Officers to become part of our Oxford or Cambridge teams. Our fieldwork projects are based across the country and the ability to work away from home is essential.

We are looking for current Project Officers, or Field Supervisors who can demonstrate significant experience at Supervisor level, who are able to take on responsibility for large and/or complex pieces of fieldwork and make a significant contribution during the post-excavation process. We are currently deploying staff to sites in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Kent. The ability to work away from home for extended periods is essential. Current and upcoming projects include major infrastructure and linear schemes, a nationally important prehistoric landscape, Bronze Age funerary monuments, and Iron Age and Romano-British settlements.

This is a great opportunity for experienced site leads to work on a variety of exciting projects, contribute to post-excavation work, and further their career whilst being part of a dynamic and passionate team.

Position Requirements

• The role will mainly be field based, but some time may also be spent in the office.
• You must be able to demonstrate existing substantial experience at leading large-scale fieldwork projects (evaluation and excavation).
• Experience leading large infrastructure projects is highly desirable.
• You will have significant experience of professional archaeological fieldwork within the UK or Irish commercial environment.
• You will be the lead archaeologist in fieldwork stages of projects, reporting to a Project Manager who will not be based on site.
• You will co-ordinate and produce unpublished (grey literature) reports and may act as a main author for academic publications.
• You will take a lead role in performance monitoring and training of staff engaged on your projects.
• You will have a strong understanding of the Health and Safety legislation relevant to the commercial archaeology industry.
• You should be a confident, energetic problem solver with strong communication skills.
• A full clean driving licence is essential and you must meet the requirements to be a registered Oxford Archaeology driver.
• The ability to work away from home on long-term projects is essential.
• You should have a current SSSTS or SMSTS qualification (or similar).
• A degree in archaeology or related discipline will be highly advantageous, as will membership of the CIfA at ACIfA level.

In return, we offer an exciting range of employee benefits.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary range £32,617 – £35,088 (appointments will be made based on demonstrated ability, previous experience and CIfA membership if appropriate).
• Generous annual leave starting at 24 days with three additional concessionary days at Christmas plus Bank Holidays.
• Company pension scheme.
• A discretionary bonus scheme linked to OA's yearly financial performance.
• Structured training programmes, including Supervisor and Project Officer development pathways, placements, and opportunities for career progression.
• 100% of CIfA subscription fees.
• Free transport from regional office to sites.
• High-quality personal protective equipment (inc. Gore-tex waterproofs, fleeces and other specialist equipment).
• Subsistence payment (£23.50 per night) and free accommodation (B&B/self-catering) provided for away-based projects. Single occupancy accommodation is provided when working away from home.
• Overtime will be paid for additional hours worked including travelling time where you are the ‘responsible person’ or driver.
• Driver Payment Supplements at an additional £2.50 per hour over and above paid overtime where applicable.
• Enhanced paid breaks on site: 30-minute tea break and 40-minute lunch break.
• 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.
• Childcare vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Closing date: 20th September 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.

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