As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We're an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it's where we go next that makes things really interesting.
In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.
That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.
Job Overview
Salary: £29.258
Grade: D / EO
Contract: Fixed Term Appointment for 1 year
Closing date: Monday 2nd February 2026
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Project Conservator to join our Digitisation Project Conservation Team within the Collection Care Department. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in preparing and assessing archival records for large scale digitisation projects that support our organisation's mission to preserve and broaden access to our collections.
Digitisation is central to our business, access, and preservation strategies. These projects rely on close collaboration across multiple departments and external partners, bringing together expertise to deliver impactful outcomes. As Project Conservator, you will help ensure the smooth and timely delivery of these ambitious programmes while upholding the highest standards of conservation and professional integrity.
Why Join Us?
You'll be part of a dedicated and supportive team working at the intersection of conservation, digitisation, and public access. Your work will directly contribute to preserving the nation's documentary heritage while enabling wider digital engagement with our collections.
This role requires on site presence and is not suitable for home working.
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.
Application Process
• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in Kew in February 2026.
• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.
Selection for interview will be based on the 'essential' requirements in the job description so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.
Job Description
Role and Responsibilities
* Prepare original documents for imaging
* Assess the condition of documents and estimate treatment times
* Make decisions regarding treatments and materials, selecting the most appropriate available or adapting existing processes while adhering to the ICON code of ethics and professional standards
* Carry out treatments and re-housing where necessary
* Work with fragile documents under pressure while maintaining a high level of manual dexterity.
* Manage own workload to meet targets and deadlines
* Keep organised records and maintain project documentation as required
* Provide on-going practical assistance to the scanning team where required
* Work closely with other teams involved in digitization to communicate technical information regarding document condition, document handling, and workflow to internal colleagues and external commercial partners.
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Working Conditions
* Display Screen Equipment user
* Moving items up to 10kg in weight
* May come into contact with distressing material
Person Specification
Essential
* A graduate from a recognised conservation programme with a demonstrable expertise in book, paper or archive conservation or appropriate equivalent work experience
* Experience of working with a range of archival materials, including a wide variety of paper types and parchment
* Knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards
* Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement
* Ability to work effectively both independently and on a team to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and timetable
* Strong organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise work while under pressure in order to meet strict deadlines and targets
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Proficiency with IT systems including MS office products and collections management systems
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Desirable:
* Experience of project work
* Experience of preparing collections for digitisation
* Experience of collection surveys and condition assessment
* Experience of liaising with internal and external stakeholders
* Experience of working with large data sets
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is
found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service
D&I Strategy
.
Benefits
Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.
Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at (opens in new window)
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact The National Archives via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
* Complete the 'Reasonable Adjustments' section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's
recruitment principles. (opens in new window)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window)
Contact point for applicants:
* Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team
* Email:
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at (opens in new window)