Surveyor Grade 3 / Surveyor Grade 4

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) is recruiting an archaeological Surveyor to work on excavations, evaluations and surveys across East Anglia. You will record data digitally in the field, process it with AutoCAD and ArcGIS Pro, and support the illustration team with plans for reports.

You will split time between field and office, with lone working on occasion and a deadline-driven, resource-efficient approach.

Qualifications

• The Role-holder should hold a primary degree in Archaeology; candidates with relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience using GNSS, TPS and drones in an archaeological context is essential.
• General computer literacy with AutoCAD, GIS, photogrammetry and MS Office is required.
• Strong fieldwork drawing knowledge, especially planning, is essential.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines; lone working may be required.
• Valid UK/EU driving licence and willingness to drive off-road vehicles is essential; CSCS, CIIfA or First Aid at Work are advantageous.
• Other H&S qualifications would be viewed favourably; willingness to undertake mandatory training.

Responsibilities

• Digitally recording evaluations, excavations and watching briefs.
• Collect data in the field using GNSS, TPS and drone; process data in the office with AutoCAD and ArcGIS Pro.
• Assist site directors during fieldwork and post-excavation phases; provide plans and contour maps.
• Collaborate with illustration team for client reports and publications.
• Work in field and office; lone working may be required and deadlines must be met.
• Report to Survey Section Head Jane Matthews and be part of CAU's Survey Team.

Skills

GNSS

TPS

Drones

AutoCAD

GIS

Office suite

Fieldwork

Drawing/Planning

Independent work

Driver’s licence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Archaeology

Tools

AutoCAD

ArcGIS Pro

GNSS

TPS

Drones

Job description

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) is recruiting an archaeological Surveyor to work on a range of archaeological excavations, evaluations and surveys throughout East Anglia. Projects include prehistoric landscapes, major Iron Age and Roman settlements, and various urban sites.

The Role

The archaeological Surveyor is responsible for the digital recording of archaeological evaluations, excavations and watching briefs. Working as part of a small team, you will collect data in the field, using equipment including a GNSS, TPS and drone, and process that data in the office, using programmes including AutoCAD and ArcGIS Pro.

The post holder will assist site directors during the fieldwork and post-excavation phases and provide plans, contour maps etc for the illustration team for the production of client reports and publications.

This role will be based both in the field on archaeological projects and in the office. Please note that lone working will be required from time to time. The archaeological Surveyor will assist in delivering archaeological services to a professional standard and to strict deadlines in a resource efficient way.

The post holder will be part of the CAU's Survey Team and report to the Survey Section Head Jane Matthews.

Requirements

The Role-holder should hold a primary degree in Archaeology. Candidates without such a qualification degree may be considered, dependant on the level of relevant experience. Experience using GNSS, TPS and drones in an archaeological context is essential.

General computer literacy is essential as is demonstrable experience using AutoCad, GIS, photogrammetry and Microsoft Office software. A good / excellent understanding and experience of archaeological fieldwork is essential, including knowledge of onsite archaeological drawing, especially planning.

The role holder will be used to working independently, and problem-solving in the field. It is crucial that the role holder can prioritise and complete work to strict deadlines and be flexible to respond to the rapidly changing needs of archaeological sites. It is important that the role holder is comfortable lone working.

Successful applicants must have a clean UK/EU Driving Licence and a willingness to drive off-road vehicles is essential, due to the remote nature of archaeological sites. One or more of the following would also be an advantage: valid CSCS card, Membership of CIfA or a First Aid at Work qualification.

Other relevant H&S qualifications (eg: documented Manual Handling training, Pipe & Cable Detection training, Lantra 4x4 driver training), would also be viewed favourably.

The successful candidate must also be willing to undertake mandatory University training and any training deemed essential for the role by the Departmental Safety Officer.

We have need for a Surveyor at either Grade 3 or Grade 4. Please note there is only one vacancy. Please note in order to qualify for the Grade 4 post you must be able to evidence the full range of essential criteria listed in the Further Particulars document.

Though the post is being advertised at full time (37.5hrs/week), for the right candidate the CAU would consider a 0.80FTE contract (30.0hrs/week).

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The closing date for this application is 23.59 BST on Friday 30 October 2026.

In-person interviews will be held on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at our offices at 34 & B Storey's Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DT.

Informal Queries Regarding This Post May Be Sent To

• Jane Matthews ([e-mail]) for queries about the role and relevant skills.
• HSPS HR team ([e-mail]) for queries about the application process.

It is expected that the successful candidate will start before or on 4th January 2027.

Please quote reference JD51317 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.