Pottery Specialist

Pottery Specialist

Senior Officer Grade: £35,167 - £40,268 (pay award pending)
Location: Sheffield or Salisbury, depending on preference
Contract: Permanent
Reference: UKRES.03.25
Closing date: 25 April 2025
 

Why join us?

Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of offices around the UK, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work. 

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects to develop your skills and knowledge along the way. 
 

The role – what’s involved? 

Are you an experienced Prehistoric Pottery Specialist? We'd love for you to join our in-house team. You will have demonstrable experience in assessing, analysing and reporting on prehistoric ceramic assemblages from all parts of Britain in a commercial archaeological setting. Additional experience in the ceramics of later periods and/or other material types would be advantageous, but is not essential.

By joining our industry-leading team, you will have the chance to work with a range of experts in fieldwork, geoarchaeology and public benefit, contributing to some of the most exciting archaeological projects in the UK. You'll gain access to invaluable mentoring and knowledge-sharing opportunities with our team of specialists, allowing you to enhance your own expertise.

We're keen to foster a supportive and dynamic environment where you'll have the autonomy to work independently whilst also being part of a collaborative team. In this role, you'll also have the opportunity to mentor our junior staff and contribute to the growth of future specialists.
 

Main responsibilities will include: 

• Familiarisation with the fieldwork results for a given project.
• The use of up-to-date recording systems, cataloguing and methods of analysis.
• Carrying out the assessment of assemblages in accordance with professional guidelines.
• Producing assessment reports, making recommendations in line with current guidelines.
• Selecting samples for appropriate scientific dating and/or analysis.
• Carrying out the analysis of assemblages in accordance with professional guidelines.
• Selecting appropriate examples for illustration in the publications.
• Prepare analytic reports for publication in regional, national, and international journals, occasional papers, or monographs.
• Liaise with both internal and external colleagues.
• Liaise and collaborate with the principal author(s) of journal articles, occasional papers, or monographs to ensure timely delivery of reports. 
   

Essential requirements

• A degree in archaeology or related subject.
• A full UK Driving Licence.
• Demonstrable experience of the operation of commercial archaeology within the UK.
• A keen interest in, and demonstrable experience of, the assessment and pre-publication analysis of prehistoric ceramics from the British Isles.
• A full understanding of time, budgetary and programming milestones and requirements to produce quality deliverables in a timely manner.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Computer literacy (MS Office package, databases)
• Willingness to learn new skills.

What can you look forward to?

Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we are committed to creating a safe, fair and inclusive working environment. 
 

We offer: 

• 22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.
• Option to buy up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 6.5%.
• Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.

Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits

• Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
• Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
• 5 days of carers leave per year.
• Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
• Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
• AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.

Sustainability and other benefits 

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Bike2Work scheme.
• 100% of professional membership costs reimbursed.
• High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
• Free transport from regional offices to sites.
• Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
• Subsistence allowance.

How to apply

Interested in working with us? 
 

Email your completed application form, supporting evidence and equal opportunities monitoring form with a covering letter by 11.59 pm on 25 April 2025 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. 
 

Your supporting evidence should include:

• A description of your suitability for the role by referring to the requirements listed above.
• A chronologically ordered account of the major projects you have been involved with. Notwithstanding commercial sensitivities, it should be possible to at least list material type(s), an indication of the size of the assemblage(s), their broad chronological range and area of the country as well as the level of recording and reporting undertaken.
• A full bibliography must be provided. This should include examples of grey literature assessment and analysis reports as well as publications (e.g. contributions to monographs, occasional papers, journal articles and notes).
   

All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you have questions about the role, then please contact wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. 
 

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know via the application form if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process. 
 

Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment