Maritime​/Underwater Archaeologist

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.

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.

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, licensing, 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.

• Research and Target Assessment
  • 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
• Regulatory and Government Engagement
  • Support licensing processes with coastal states and regulatory authorities
  • Prepare archaeological documentation required for licenses and agreements
  • Engage with national heritage agencies, museums, and archaeological institutions
  • Support operational planning so that missions work in compliance with licensing terms and conditions
• Survey and Offshore Missions
  • 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
• Documentation and Reporting
  • Produce archaeological assessments, technical reports, and compliance documentation
    
    Support ESG and heritage reporting requirements
  • Maintain proper recording standards aligned with professional archaeological practices
• Strategic Collaboration
  • 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

• 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 licensing 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

• 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