Fixed Term Contract: 2 years

Based initially at MOLA Northampton Office and then at the A428 office St Ives

MOLA is undertaking a major infrastructure project in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Highways England’s A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Road Improvement scheme will see more than thirty individual archaeological sites excavated over a two-year period and MOLA are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to oversee the processing and management of the finds and environmental samples from the project.

You will be line managing the A428 processing team on a day-to-day basis and will therefore need excellent people skills and an ability to motivate and inspire confidence in others. You will be supported in this by the A428 Post-Excavation Manager and by colleagues both directly working on the A428 project and from MOLA’s wider Research & Engagement Team.

You will be managing incoming finds and environmental samples from the project and liaising with Field Team Leaders to ensure the highest quality processing, packaging and storage of archaeological artefacts throughout the lifetime of the project. You will also liaise with the archives team, the reporting team and other specialists to facilitate the transfer of finds and records to the relevant parties, as and when required. Whilst undertaking these tasks you will maintain good and accurate records using MOLA’s digital databases. The A428 is a fully digital project and so a confidence with IT is required, although full training will be given on our bespoke systems. The project incorporates a significant public engagement element and you will also be supporting the Engagement team by participating in or contributing to events where necessary.

The work will require a high degree of organisational and time-management skills. Experience in archaeological finds and environmental processing and the identification of different categories of finds and environmental materials is essential for this role. You will have a sound understanding of commercial archaeology and a broad knowledge of British archaeology across a range of periods and type sites. As part of MOLA’s Research & Engagement team you would also be contributing to MOLA's wider research culture.

Want to find out more?

For any queries, or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Head of Research and Engagement (Northampton), Mark Holmes (mholmes@mola.org.uk).

The closing date for all applications is 5.00pm Tuesday 3 January 2023.

You can apply via our recruitment portal link on the MOLA website where you will find full details of the role along with a job description and person specification.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to commencement.

MOLA promotes diversity and equality of opportunity at all levels, and welcomes applications from people regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, or religion or belief.

MOLA is an experienced and innovative archaeology practice. We have been providing independent, professional heritage advice and services for over 40 years across the UK and internationally on schemes both large and small. Our commercial services are designed to help our development, infrastructure and construction sector clients to meet their planning process requirements swiftly and expertly, with the certainty and value they need.

As an education charity our aim is to inspire people to be curious about their heritage. We are proud of our award-winning community engagement and education programmes, which are founded on partnership and participation. As an Independent Research Organisation, we set out to share the knowledge and information we generate with the widest audience possible for the benefit of society. The research we conduct as part of the planning and development process takes place alongside our own research framework.