Apprentice Fieldwork Archaeologist
OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED
Lancaster (LA1 1QD)
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 14 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 August 2025
Contents
Summary
To contribute to archaeological field investigations by excavating, recording, and interpreting archaeological features; collecting artefacts and environmental samples; and processing finds, materials, and survey data. Ideal for those starting or changing careers, leading to qualification as a field archaeologist.
- Wage
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£24,453 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Over 18s and career changers
- Training course
- Archaeological technician (level 3)
- Hours
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Oxford Archaeology’s typical Site hours Monday – Friday 8.00am – 4.00pm.
A66 Site specific hours Monday - Thursday, 7.30am - 4.30pm, Friday 7.30am – 2.30pm.
Both include 30 minutes morning tea break and 40 minutes lunch break.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 13 October 2025
- Duration
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1 year 3 months
- Positions available
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2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Under the direction of a mentor, apprentices will work as part of a team to contribute to the investigation of archaeological sites through fieldwork excavations. This work takes place outdoors, in all seasons and weather conditions. Applicants should be aware of the physical nature of the role and must be willing and able to work outside in potentially cold, wet, or hot conditions.
Initially, you will be working on a large excavation that stretches across the A66, from Penrith to Brough, where you will be uncovering archaeology from a range of different time periods. This is a physically demanding role. Working hours are from 7:30am and finish at 4:30pm, during which you will learn to manually excavate both small and large archaeological features using tools such as trowels, shovels, and mattocks.
You will also learn to interpret and record archaeological features using a range of techniques, including photography, context recording sheets and survey drawings.
As well as contributing to site excavations, you will have the opportunity to learn how archaeological findings are processed and interpreted. You will work with our Finds Teams to help process and identify different types of artefacts, to learn about the site’s inhabitants and to help date the site and its different phases. You will work with our Geomatics Team to process site surveys and other data to understand the extent and layout of the archaeology and build a picture of our findings.
You will work with our Environmental Team to process soil samples and find clues as to what people ate in the past, and how they lived. You will also work with our Post Excavation Team, to learn the processes of bringing all this data together to create a comprehensive analysis of a site and its inhabitants, and to produce reports and publications.
Because of its distance from the Lancaster office, your starting site on the A66 is classed as ‘away work’, which means you will be provided with transport to the site from the office and be provided with live-in accommodation during the week, with the option to stay through weekends if preferred. A subsistence payment of £23.50 per night will be provided to help cover food and other costs. There may also be the possibility to work on ‘home-based’ sites which you can drive to using your own vehicle or be transported to each day via a work vehicle from the office.
Due to the geographically diverse nature of our projects, you must be able to travel to our office and be flexible to work on away-based and home-based excavations.
Oxford Archaeology will provide all required PPE and tools for candidates.
Where you'll work
Oxford Archaeology
3 Moor Lane Mills Moor Lane
Lancaster
LA1 1QD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CIRENCESTER COLLEGE
Training course
Archaeological technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply an awareness of professional judgement and ethical behaviour.
- Research and assimilate appropriate background information, including that from project specific Written Schemes of Investigation, archaeological archives and reports, aerial photographic collections, LiDAR data, and geophysical and topographic surveys and local and national listings.
- Catalogue data recovered from archaeological excavations, including environmental and geological samples, artefacts and ecofacts.
- Maintain their own safety, and that of others, by adhering to all applicable Health and Safety rules, policies and procedures.
- Recognise and report risks in order to reduce the risk of incidents.
- Conduct work in line with Employer’s and industry procedures and standards, specifically the CIfA Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation, Watching Brief, Evaluation and Archives.
- Establish the requirements upon them for forthcoming projects, including timescales, deadlines, work locations and supervisors.
- Estimate resources and select appropriate equipment, including hand tools, survey, recording and measuring equipment, and artefact sampling, collection packaging, labelling and processing equipment.
- Investigate and understand archaeological sites and heritage assets.
- Recognise and be able to appropriately package and preserve fragile material evidence of past communities.
- Compile catalogues and databases of archaeological context records, samples and finds.
- Contribute to the preparation of archaeological site archives and materials for museum deposition.
- Carry out work both indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions, all year round.
- Identify information required to achieve research objectives, for instance reference to project specific Written Schemes of Investigation for archaeological strategies, and to appropriate published regional, period or subject research agendas.
- Follow correct procedures to access and use information, including Employer’s technical manuals, GIS systems and databases.
- Validate/evaluate accuracy of information, including proof reading of data entry and reports.
- Categorise and classify data appropriately, including creation of databases and stratigraphic matrices for archaeological excavations.
- Present and report data using field records in appropriate form for various audiences, including plans, sections, pro-forma context recording sheets and databases.
- Contribute to advances in the body of knowledge and Historic Environment Practice.
- Commit to continuous improvement and personal development.
Training schedule
Archaeological Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:
- Whilst most of the training will take place with the employer, you will be required to attend college classes remotely, on Teams every Friday during term time
- You may also have the opportunity to attend a field trip with the college during your apprenticeship
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- ability to multi-task
Other requirements
Candidates must be willing to work in rural locations, away from home, living in shared accommodation (note you will have your own room). A subsistence payment of £23.50 per night will be given to contribute to food etc. The role is physically demanding, using tools to manually excavate potentially large archaeological features, so candidates need to be physically able. Necessary tools, equipment and PPE will be provided. Interviews will take place in mid-September 2025. No previous skills or experience in archaeology are required, making this ideal for career changers, but an enthusiasm for the subject is essential. A valid Driving Licence may be helpful but is not essential. Cirencester College reserves the right to close the vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.
About this employer
Oxford Archaeology delivers high quality archaeological and heritage services for our commercial partners and the communities in which we operate. We are one of the largest research-led archaeology organisations in Europe, with offices in Oxford, Cambridge and Lancaster. We provide a range of services for clients including (but not limited to) archaeological excavation and survey, heritage consultancy, landscape and building studies, heritage burial services, community engagement, research and archiving. As a registered charity, public benefit is at the heart of all our work at Oxford Archaeology. It is important to us to foster an appreciation for the past, make it meaningful to people’s lives today, and ensure it is accessible to everyone - now and forever. We offer a wide range of community focused services and activities to commercial clients, project partners, community groups, educational providers and curious individuals.
After this apprenticeship
- Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates will be offered a full-time contract as a Fieldwork Archaeologist with Oxford Archaeology (assuming that the work is available)
- They will then be enroled onto our Fieldwork Training Pathways; a training programme that provides the necessary knowledge and skills as they develop professionally in their fieldwork career
- Opportunities to move into other departments may be possible, subject to roles becoming available
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CIRENCESTER COLLEGE
Kate Tingle
kate.tingle@cirencester.ac.uk
01285626168
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000337828.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 14 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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