Collections Researcher

About us:

The National Archives (TNA) is the official archive of the UK government and for England and Wales, making available to the public a vast collection of historical records dating back over 1,000 years. TNA is also an Independent Research Organisation (IRO): multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research into all aspects of our collections and activities is at the heart of what we do. Our Research, Grants and Academic Engagement department is charged with conducting, enabling, and promoting world-class research, often delivered in collaboration with external partners including experts from academic, other heritage organisations, government departments and the industry.

Our Research, Grants and Academic Engagement department engages in a range of interdisciplinary research, with collections, collaboration and innovative methods and outputs at its heart. It is charged with conducting, enabling and promoting world-class research, often delivered in collaboration with external partners including experts from academic, heritage organisations, other government departments and the industry. The department also works with colleagues across TNA, visiting scholars, and doctoral students.

Within the beautiful surroundings of Kew, a 10-minute walk from the Underground and Overground stations, TNA boasts a collegial working environment and an excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, wellbeing resources and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme. Putting you at the forefront of our organisation, we are committed to supporting professional development and training for all our colleagues.

About you:

This is an excellent opportunity to become an integral part of our cutting-edge research at The National Archives. Join us in the Research, Grants and Academic Engagement team, bringing your collection research experience, to deliver interdisciplinary innovative research that builds on TNA’s expertise to create new insights into our collections, research and engagement activities. With a commitment to interdisciplinary collaborative research, and an interest in acquiring future skillsets, you have a passion for collections research projects and an interest in innovative collections research in a cultural heritage setting. As a member of our Research, Grants and Academic Engagement department, you will respond creatively to research challenges, contributing to the future of our research vision and its delivery.

We are particularly interested to hear from those with knowledge, interest or expertise in either or both of the following areas:
- Medical humanities: How do we advance interdisciplinary scholarship in medical and health humanities, and realise the archive’s contribution to health, wellbeing and place?
- Environmental humanities: How do we realise our collection’s potential to shape geographical, environmental and ecological histories, to inform a sustainable future?

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

This is a Fixed Term maternity cover for 12 months.

How to apply:

If you are an internal applicant: please do not use the link on this page. Please apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are an external applicant: to submit your application please click the link following 'Museum Website' below.

You will be asked to upload a CV and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria given below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section.

Please note: anonymised recruitment is standard for roles across the Civil Service. However, due to the nature of this role and the information required in the selection process, please disregard any requests to anonymise your application.

Essential

- Postgraduate qualification, or equivalent research experience, in a discipline relevant to The National Archives’ collections.
- Record of developing, conducting and delivering innovative collections-based research in the academic or heritage sectors.
- Experience of working collaboratively in or with interdisciplinary teams.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to forge and maintain relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including at senior levels.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to publish and experience in presenting to academic audiences.
- Ability to prioritise, to work independently and without supervision in a non-routine role, exercising judgment on when to consult colleagues, and to work well as part of a busy and agile team.

Desirable

- Experience of working in the broader heritage sector or in archives.
- Research expertise in either medical humanities or environmental humanities, as they relate to The National Archives’ collections
- Project management skills, including some experience of developing and delivering academic events and/or programmes.

Museum Website: https://nationalarchives.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/Kew/Collections-Researcher_JR200419