Apprentice Archaeological Fieldwork Technician
Archaeology South-East
East Sussex (BN41 1DR)
Closes in 15 days (Friday 24 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 October 2025
Contents
Summary
The opportunity to try out many elements of archaeology whilst working in the field. You will get to investigate, record, manage and conserve aspects of historic sites by assisting with general excavation, recording and post-excavation processing all under the supervision of supporting colleagues within a professional team.
- Wage
-
£22,389 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
plus London Allowance of £5,197 (£27,586 inclusive of London Allowance)
- Training course
- Archaeological technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 8am till 4pm.
7.5 hours per day, excluding half hour lunchbreak and travel time to and from site.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 5 January 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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3
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
- To identify archaeological features and deposits and carry out excavation using appropriate method and tools
- To record features/deposits to standardised system including description, measurement and interpretation
- To record through measured drawing, photography and digital survey archaeological deposits
- To handle and collect bulk artefacts and samples, with correct care and labelling
- To process bulk artefacts and samples
Where you'll work
2 Chapel Place
Portslade
Brighton
East Sussex
BN41 1DR
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
Whilst the majority of the training will be in the workplace, weekly attendance will be required on Teams with Cirencester College on Fridays during term time
Requirements
Essential 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
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Work may take place in rural locations and will be predominately based outdoors in all weathers, year-round. Work is physically demanding. Must be based locally to main office (Portslade) or West Sussex (between Brighton and Chichester) Travel to sites will be required from base in Portslade. Willingness to undertake stayaway work. Cirencester College reserves the right to close this vacancy before the stated deadline once sufficient applications have been received
About this employer
Archaeology South-East (ASE) is part of the UCL Institute of Archaeology. It is responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive range of professional archaeological services, providing an interface between the academic activities of the Institute and other communities of interest. ASE handles hundreds of research and project commissions every year. Much of this work is development-led archaeology, taking place on construction sites within southern and eastern England, with staff working from offices at Portslade (near Brighton, East Sussex) and Witham (near Colchester, Essex), and on the London UCL Bloomsbury campus. This body of professional research is used to contribute to UCL teaching and ASE also provides training and opportunities to gain practical experience to UCL students. The UCL Institute of Archaeology is the largest university-based archaeological institution in Britain, with more than 600 students, from many different countries, age groups and backgrounds, and more than 70 academic and administrative staff.
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology-south-east (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
- Potential progression with Archaeology South-East will be considered, following successful completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CIRENCESTER COLLEGE
Samantha Clacher
ase-hr@ucl.ac.uk
01273426830
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345576.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Friday 24 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
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