Summary

Historic England have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Science Advisor where you will have the chance to combine your interests in archaeological science and heritage management.

As our Science Advisor you will need to be a great communicator, negotiator, facilitator and team player. You will work across multiple teams, advising Historic England colleagues and Local Authority Archaeologists on archaeological science in relation to heritage assets affected by development proposals and environmental change.

You will also be involved with sector development including promoting best practice through reference to national standards and guidance; involvement in guidance preparation; Research Framework development and sector training.

This is a full time 36hrs a week opportunity on a fixed term contract until March 2024. The post holder will be required to spend two days a month in the Birmingham office and regular travel to Bristol and sites in West Midlands and Gloucestershire. Please note the role requires regular travel to sites not serviced by public transport and may require visiting archaeological sites which may comprise uneven ground. The role may also require occasional overnight stays to attend specific team meetings and training events (advance notice is provided)

What you will be doing:

As the Science Advisor, you will provide case specific advice to Regional Development Advice colleagues in the Historic England regional offices in Birmingham and Bristol, with respect to planning applications and other casework.  You will also provide advice to Local Authority archaeological staff in response to developer-funded archaeology and to bodies/agencies such as The Environment Agency and Natural England. 

The post-holder will advise on the scientific content of briefs and specifications, seeking to ensure that evaluations, excavations and analyses are supported by an appropriate level of science, with sites visits and advice on the quality of work both in the field and as presented in reports.

You will take a lead in establishing and maintaining contact with, and advise where appropriate, archaeological contractors working in the West Midlands and South West and with relevant regional representatives of national agencies (e.g. Natural England; Environment Agency, coastal groups).

We need you to contribute to sector development activities, for example training (e.g. of archaeological curators and contractors), and to the preparation of guidelines and advice notes. 

 Who we are looking for:

• Relevant academic qualifications in archaeological/heritage science or equivalent experience

• Relevant archaeological experience as practitioner (archaeology or heritage related field)

• Understanding of the work of science advisors in relation to Historic England Regions Group and Local Authority Planning Archaeologists

• Good communication skills

Provisional interview date: 9th or 10th January 2023

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 26% contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the county 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 ResourcingTeam@Historicengland.org.uk or telephone 07763387811 if you have any recruitment queries.