Summary

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

We are calling for an expression of interest to join us as a Senior Radiocarbon Dating Specialist as part of the Scientific Dating Team.  The team has expertise in dendrochronology, radiocarbon dating, and other methods of scientific dating and provides research, support and advice to Historic England and the wider sector on the appropriate use of scientific dating techniques, and the chronological modelling of archaeological sites, buildings and sediments.

The location of this role is Portsmouth, Fort Cumberland with Hybrid working, where you will be at least 1 day a week office-based.

Salary

circa £38,000 pro-rata

What you will be doing:

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.

As our radiocarbon dating specialist you will act as an intelligent client in the provision of radiocarbon dating and Bayesian chronological modelling in support of research and casework funded by Historic England.

You will ensure advice, training, and guidance on the use of radiocarbon dating chronological modelling is provided in England.

You will also maintain the Radiocarbon Database for England, ensuring new data are made publicly accessible via the Project Radiocarbon portal.

Please note that the role:

• requires regular travel, including to sites not serviced by public transport and sites which may have challenging access

• also requires overnight stays for joint working, attending meetings, and training.

 We are seeking someone who has the following skills and capabilities:

• An appropriate qualification, preferably a post-graduate degree, or equivalent experience, in archaeology, historic buildings research, and/or an appropriate science.

• A substantial track-record of research and publication in the application of radiocarbon dating and Bayesian chronological modelling to archaeological sites, past landscapes or historic buildings.

• A good understanding of archaeological post-excavation stratigraphic analysis, with knowledge or experience of English archaeology and/or the historic buildings sector and its working practices.

• High level practical computing skills, including expert use of chronological modelling software and experience in managing and manipulating relational databases.

• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information concisely and in plain English to non-experts.

 How to Apply:

 Please send a CV, publication list, and explain (in up to 300 words) why you’re suitable for this role to Jen.Heathcote@HistoricEngland.org.uk (Head of Investigative Science) and Alex.Bayliss@HistoricEngland.org.uk (Head of Scientific Dating) by midnight on 14th July 2024. Interviews will be carried out virtually using MS Teams and conducted in the week commencing 22nd July 2024.

 If you have any queries about the role, or would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact either Alex Bayliss alex.bayliss@historicengland.org.uk or Jen.Heathcote@HistoricEngland.org.uk to arrange a time for a call.

Please note you are not required to complete the Applied online recruitment application.

We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having just won the Gold Award from MIND, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can.

We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working. Please visit our jobs pages or contact us to find out more.

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 28% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at recruitmentTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries. 

To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process for everyone the use of AI or automated tools is not permitted.

Please follow the link for a full copy of the Job Description –

https://historicengland.org.uk/media/sj5gc4e1/radiocarbon-dating-specialist-updated.odtci