Maritime / Underwater Archaeologist
Posted Today by Oceyon
Negotiable
Undetermined
Remote
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Maritime / Underwater Archaeologist will be integral to Oceyon, a maritime exploration company, focusing on the recovery of lost maritime assets through a technology-driven approach. This role combines historical research, regulatory compliance, and offshore operations, requiring collaboration with various experts to ensure responsible recovery practices. The successful candidate will engage in both onshore and offshore activities, contributing to the identification and assessment of high-value archaeological targets. The position is remote with occasional travel, primarily within Europe, and requires a strong academic background in maritime archaeology.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct archival and historical research related to shipwrecks and maritime trade routes
- Assess archaeological significance and cultural heritage considerations of identified targets
- Contribute to site evaluation reports supporting operational decision-making
- Collaborate with archival intelligence and data teams to validate targets
- Support licencing processes with coastal states and regulatory authorities
- Prepare archaeological documentation required for licences and agreements
- Engage with national heritage agencies, museums, and archaeological institutions
- Support operational planning so that missions work in compliance with licencing terms and conditions
- Participate in marine survey campaigns and offshore expeditions
- Provide archaeological supervision during survey and recovery operations
- Advise on site protection, documentation, and handling procedures
- Contribute to survey planning and methodology development
- Produce archaeological assessments, technical reports, and compliance documentation
- Support ESG and heritage reporting requirements
- Maintain proper recording standards aligned with professional archaeological practices
- Act as liaison with archaeological associations and academic partners
- Support development of Oceyon’s archaeological advisory network
- Contribute to internal best practices for responsible recovery operations
Key Skills:
- Master’s degree or PhD in Maritime Archaeology, Underwater Archaeology, Archaeology, or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in maritime or underwater archaeology
- Demonstrated experience with shipwreck research or underwater cultural heritage projects
- Knowledge of international maritime heritage frameworks and licencing environments
- Experience working with government or heritage authorities
- Offshore or marine fieldwork experience
- Strong archival research capabilities
- Familiarity with survey technologies such as sonar, ROVs, AUVs, or subsea imaging
- Understanding of legal and regulatory processes related to shipwreck recovery
- Experience working in multidisciplinary technical teams
- Excellent verbal and written reporting skills in English (additional languages are an advantage)
- Practical and solution-oriented mindset
- Comfortable operating in both academic and commercial environments
- Strong communication and diplomatic skills
- Willingness to travel internationally and participate in offshore missions
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Greater London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
Start Date: March/April 2026 (flexible)
Engagement Type: Employment, 70-100%
Location Preference: Europe-based (remote with occasional travel). Preference for location in UK, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands or France.
Oceyon is a maritime exploration and recovery company focused on the recovery of lost maritime assets through a compliance-first, technology-driven approach. By combining archival intelligence, artificial intelligence, state-of-the-art technologies, and advanced survey methodologies, Oceyon transforms deep-sea recovery from speculative exploration into a structured, precise and data-driven process. Our missions operate under strict legal, archaeological, and ESG frameworks, ensuring that maritime heritage considerations and responsible recovery remain central to all operations.
As we expand our regulatory and operational activities globally, we are seeking an experienced Maritime / Underwater Archaeologist to join our core team.
Role Overview
The Maritime / Underwater Archaeologist will play a key role at the intersection of historical research, regulatory compliance, and offshore operations. The position combines academic expertise with operational execution, supporting the identification, assessment, licencing, and responsible recovery of high-value anthropogenic assets. The successful candidate will contribute both onshore and offshore, working closely with historians, legal experts, engineers, survey teams, and government authorities.
Required Profile & Background
- Master’s degree or PhD in Maritime Archaeology, Underwater Archaeology, Archaeology, or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in maritime or underwater archaeology
- Demonstrated experience with shipwreck research or underwater cultural heritage projects
- Knowledge of international maritime heritage frameworks and licencing environments
- Experience working with government or heritage authorities
Desired Skills and Experience
- Offshore or marine fieldwork experience
- Strong archival research capabilities
- Familiarity with survey technologies such as sonar, ROVs, AUVs, or subsea imaging
- Understanding of legal and regulatory processes related to shipwreck recovery
- Experience working in multidisciplinary technical teams
- Excellent verbal and written reporting skills in English (additional languages are an advantage)
Personal Profile
- Practical and solution-oriented mindset
- Comfortable operating in both academic and commercial environments
- Strong communication and diplomatic skills
- Willingness to travel internationally and participate in offshore missions
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work at the frontier of maritime exploration and technology
- Participation in globally significant offshore projects
- Collaboration with experts across archaeology, AI, robotics, and subsea engineering
- Dynamic and international working environment
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience