Dendrochronologist

Historic England; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

A heritage conservation organisation is seeking a part-time Dendrochronologist to maintain expertise in dendrochronology and advise on best practices across England. This role involves collaborating with various teams and contributing to research programmes, with opportunities for hybrid working from multiple locations, including Cambridge and other national offices. A strong background in dendrochronology is essential.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

28 days holiday

Corporate discounts

Free entry into English Heritage sites

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience of the application of dendrochronology to historic buildings and/or archaeological sites.
• Proven experience writing reports and articles to professional standards.
• Ability to provide advice on the use of dendrochronology and its suitability for complementary dating techniques.
• Rigorous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Maintain dendrochronological expertise and standards in England.
• Act as the intelligent client for Historic England, providing technical direction.
• Advise and deliver dendrochronological research programmes.
• Provide advice and training on dendrochronology use.
• Collaborate to understand and interpret historical timber evidence.

Skills

Dendrochronology application

Report writing

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

You will work closely with other parts of the Investigative Science Team (Fort Cumberland Laboratories and Science Advisors), as well as Historic England's Archaeological Investigation Team, Regions Group staff and the wider sector. Our purpose is to understand the character, date and condition of historic places, objects and materials. We develop and promote evidence-based technical policy, standards and best practice. We also provide specialist advice and analysis to all Historic England colleagues, the English Heritage Trust (through a Shared Service agreement) and the wider heritage sector.

Role purpose

To maintain dendrochronological expertise and standards in England, including developing and enabling the implementation of best practice in the wider sector. To act as an intelligent client for Historic England, providing technical direction of the programme of dendrochronology work we fund. To advise, devise, and deliver programmes of dendrochronological research in support of our corporate priorities, ensuring that the techniques applied are appropriate, cost-effective, and that the highest standard of work is maintained. To provide advice and training on the use of dendrochronology in England. To sustain and enhance Historic England\'s status and reputation as an expert organisation internationally.

Responsibilities

• Maintain dendrochronological expertise and standards in England and enable best practice in the wider sector.
• Act as the intelligent client for Historic England, providing technical direction of the funded dendrochronology programme.
• Advise, devise, and deliver dendrochronological research programmes aligned with corporate priorities, ensuring techniques are appropriate and cost-effective, with high-quality outputs.
• Provide advice and training on the use of dendrochronology in England.
• Contribute to sustaining Historic England\'s international status as an expert organisation.
• Collaborate with the Investigative Science Team, Historic England colleagues, and external partners to understand and interpret historical timber evidence.

Qualifications and experience

• Significant experience of the application of dendrochronology to historic buildings and/or archaeological sites.
• Proven experience writing reports and articles to professional standards.
• Ability to provide advice on the use of dendrochronology and its suitability for complementary dating techniques.
• Rigorous attention to detail.

Working arrangements

This is a Part Time, Permanent post working 18 hours a week. This role is a job share with a current employee who works the other 0.5 FTE. The location is National with hybrid working; you will be based in one of our offices and from home: Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth (Fort Cumberland) and Cambridge. Salary: National £39,590 - £41,761 pro-rata; Cambridge £42,624 - £44,961 pro-rata.

Benefits and equality information

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 28.97% employer contributions, 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites, and development opportunities. We are an equal opportunity employer valuing diversity and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities. We are open to flexible working options including job sharing, part-time, compressed hours and different locations. For more details about benefits please review the linked pages.

Recruitment process and accessibility

Historic England uses the Applied recruitment system. You will answer a selection of questions that test your skills and suitability. We do not use CV applications for most processes. To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process, the use of AI or automated tools is not permitted. Provisional interview date: 23 September 2025. If you have any recruitment queries, please email [e-mail].