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: £43,524 per annum Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment for 5 years Band: F / Senior Executive Officer Closing date: Sunday 22nd February 2026 at midnight The National Archives’ Collection Care Department is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Heritage Scientist to play a central role in advancing our research capacity and enhancing access to heritage science facilities for the study of the UK’s written heritage. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and growing heritage science programme within one of the world’s most significant archival institutions. Written heritage collections span over a millennium and encompass an extraordinary variety of materials, including paper, parchment, photographs, prints, wax seals, films and documents executed in a wide range of historical and modern media. As Senior Heritage Scientist, you will apply advanced analytical, imaging and research skills to deepen our understanding of these materials and support their long term preservation. Working closely with the Head of Heritage Science and Conservation Research, you will help expand our external partnerships, develop collaborative research initiatives on various collections across the UK, and strengthen The National Archives’ role as an international centre of excellence for heritage science. You will lead and support research projects from conception through delivery, working with colleagues across Collection Care and the wider organisation, as well as national and international partners. You will take an active role in enhancing our scientific infrastructure, ensuring the effective use of analytical instrumentation within the laboratory, and building research capacity through mentoring and supporting others. You will communicate your findings to diverse audiences, from internal teams to the international professional community, through publications, presentations, workshops and sector engagement. We are looking for a scientist with strong analytical expertise, excellent problem solving abilities and a passion for the care of written heritage. You will bring substantial experience with non-destructive analytical methods, research design and delivery, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Your creativity, technical insight and commitment to innovation will directly support the preservation of our nation’s documentary heritage for generations to come. 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. This role is based mostly onsite with some scope for remote working. Application Process: • Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in Kew week commencing 9th March 2026. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation. • 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. Sponsorship: We may be able to offer sponsorship for this role. Please contact us with any questions at careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk. Job Description Role and Responsibilities Progress, lead and take ownership of external and internal collaborative heritage science research projects in line with Collection Care’s Conservation Research Strategy and be responsible for their delivery to agreed targets and professional standards Contribute significantly to interdisciplinary collaboration externally and across the organisation, and help expand our national and international network Independently solve complex problems, applying expert degree of technical expertise, judgement, innovation and adaptability and, negotiate the resulting decisions with peers and stakeholders within and beyond The National Archives Maintain clear reporting and communication channels with key stakeholders, ensuring timely submission of project updates, outcomes, and strategic contributions. Systematically track, evaluate, and document impact metrics, including research outputs, collaborations, capacity-building activities, and sector influence, to evidence progress and inform institutional and national reporting frameworks. Keep abreast of heritage science developments to inform projects and treatments, taking a proactive part in personal and professional development and enhancing knowledge and expertise within the department and organisation Actively communicate the care and conservation of written heritage and the outcomes of projects across The National Archives and to the international professional community through peer reviewed articles, workshops, meetings, seminars and conferences. Ensure the smooth operation, integration, and use of analytical instrumentation in the laboratory Mentor interns, rotating student placements, or volunteers and formally manage staff, if required; you will be required to manage temporary research fellows or team members involved in research projects. Working Conditions Conservation studio Normal office environment Display Screen Equipment user Person Specification Essential : A post-graduate degree from a recognised science, or heritage science programme or appropriate work experience with a high standard of conservation knowledge, skill and practice beyond initial training with a demonstrable expertise in scientific research Extensive knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards and the ability to develop creative and innovative approaches to heritage science Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems, delivering high level academic research projects, and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and be able to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and timetable Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative, with strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload Excellent communication skills both written and oral and a track record of peer reviewed publications Very strong analytical skills, particularly with micro- and non-destructive analytical methods such as XRF (point and imaging), FTIR, Raman, multi and hyperspectral imaging, FORS and microfadometry as well as data manipulation and interpretation Ability to mentor and manage others Desirable : Experience with funded research network projects, either as participant, research fellow, or lead 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ( 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 careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk 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: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk 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: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)