Post-Excavation Assistant

Cotswold Archaeology; Andover; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Cotswold Archaeology is seeking a Post-Excavation Assistant to join our Andover team for a 4-month fixed term contract. The role focuses on processing soil samples and finds, with duties spanning sieving, washing, labelling, and data entry in a small office-based team.

Successful applicants will contribute to post-excavation reporting and archiving, bring good communication skills, and hold a full manual driving licence. Start date is immediate, with interviews via Teams.

Qualifications

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and unsupervised.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, contractors and other stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to undertake a range of manual handling tasks.
• IT literate with basic MS Office knowledge (Word, Excel, Access).

Responsibilities

• Undertake the processing of finds and samples, including work located away from CA office premises.
• Compile material, documentary and digital archives, including work located away from CA office premises.
• Assist in record-keeping for finds and samples and for documentary and digital archives.
• Undertake the deposition of archives processed by CA.
• Maintain clean and tidy working areas.
• Ensure that Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards are adhered to; and
• Carry out such other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Willingness to learn

Manual handling

MS Office basics

Education

Archaeology degree

CIArchaeologists membership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Access

Job description

POST-EXCAVATION ASSISTANT

Andover

4 Month Fixed Term Contract

As one of the leading archaeological practices in Britain, Cotswold Archaeology is looking to strengthen our post-excavation team at our Andover office. This will help to ensure we have the capacity and breadth of skills to maintain our high standards of quality and service.

Due to movement within the team, we require additional support in our Post-Excavation team to undertake the processing of soil samples and finds from all projects. Main duties in the role will primarily be the sieving environmental samples, sorting recovered items and the washing, labelling and bagging of finds. The role is part of a small team based at our Andover office. As a Post-Excavation Assistant you will need to undertake physical work alongside record-keeping and data entry. In addition, the role may include working with site data, preparing it for post-excavation reporting and archiving.

If you enjoy working as part of a team, have good communication skills, a basic level of IT literacy and an eye for detail and quality, we would love to hear from you. An interest in a range of archaeological finds and experience in archaeology would be an advantage, as would a full, manual driving licence and availability to start the role without delay. The role would require you to work full time from our Andover office daily.

Applications will be processed on receipt and interviews will take place via Teams for shortlisted candidates on Wednesday 4th November 2026 ; the successful candidate will be offered a 4 Month fixed term contract with the potential to be extended dependent on future work levels.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Andy Clarke (Post-Excavation Officer) [e-mail]

Closing date for applications 4pm on Wednesday 28th October 2026

CA is an inclusive employer and will take into consideration any adjustments needed to support you. If you should require any additional support related to neurodiversity or any other reason. Please do let us know by contacting [e-mail]

Applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in the UK as defined by UK Visas and Immigration

Job Description:

Main Duties of the role:

• Undertake the processing of finds and samples, including work located away from CA office premises;
• Compile material, documentary and digital archives, including work located away from CA office premises;
• Assist in record-keeping for finds and samples and for documentary and digital archives;
• Undertake the deposition of archives processed by CA;
• Maintain clean and tidy working areas;
• Ensure that Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards are adhered to; and
• Carry out such other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.

Personal Specification:

Essential

• the ability to work effectively as part of a team and to work unsupervised;
• the ability to communicate effectively and politely with colleagues, clients, contractors and other stakeholders;
• attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records;
• a willingness to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge;
• ability to undertake a range of manual handling tasks; and
• IT literate with a basic understanding of Microsoft Office packages such as Word, Excel and Access

Desirable

• experience in the identification of archaeological artefacts and/or ecofacts; and
• an honours degree or equivalent qualification in archaeology or a related subject;
• membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.
• full manual driving license.