Prize Papers Project Conservator

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Collection Care Department at the National Archives in Kew and to lead on one of the most vast and unique troves of documents and artifacts that track the daily lives of people around the globe in the time of the European colonial expansion and resistance.

The Prize Papers Project Conservator will work exclusively on this externally funded Digitisation project and will be responsible for the preservation of this physical collection through interventive and preventive means. The aim of this role is to prepare this collection for imaging while also maximising access to these archival records to enhance the experience of our users. This will be achieved through a combination of project planning, day to day conservation bench work and isolated research practitioner led treatment projects. This role will take the lead as required and work together with colleagues across the organisation as well as external visitors and stakeholders to enable the success of this project.

You will have an extensive knowledge of paper conservation practice, with a specialism in assessing and preparing records for Digitisation, bringing excellent project management skills as well as an informed approach to the delivery of conservation treatments in line with current conservation standards for the Digitisation of archival documents.

This post will sit within the Conservation for Imaging team and you will take an active role in the on-going development of the team within The Collection Care Department by actively engaging in data collecting of all conservation treatments for the Digitisation process, knowledge sharing, teaching and mentoring others, planning and organising whilst actively promoting the work of the department across The National Archives and to a wider professional community.

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.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

Application Process

• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in Kew week commencing 2nd February 2026. Candidates invited to interview will be required to prepare a 10 minute 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.

Essential criteria:

• A graduate from a recognised conservation 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 the conservation of paper and archive materials
• Extensive knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards and the ability to develop creative and innovative approaches to the care and conservation of large archival collections
• Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement
• Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively 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 while under pressure in order to meet strict deadlines and targets

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organisation and with a wide range of external customers
• Proficiency with IT systems including MS office products and collections management systems

Desirable criteria:

• PACR (Professional Accreditation of Conservators - Restorers) accredited membership of Icon or a willingness to pursue such accreditation
• Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of working with large data sets
• Excellent presentation skills
• Published professional papers

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,784, The National Archives contributes £9,787 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.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.

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;

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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 “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page 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 undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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 a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a 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 a 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02039855979

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 http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

nationalarchives.gov.uk

Attachments

Job Description Prize Papers Conservator Opens in new window (docx, 36kB)