Senior Specialist in Digital Humanities for HSCR

Contract type: fixed-term appointment for 1 year

Closing date: Sunday 4th May at midnight

Join the Team Shaping the Future of Heritage Science Data

The National Archives (TNA) is excited to support the creation of the Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS) under the UKRI RICHeS programme, a groundbreaking UK-wide digital research service that will unite heritage science and conservation research data for the very first time. This ambitious initiative will revolutionize the understanding, preservation, and management of the UK's rich heritage. The project is led by the University of York, with a consortium of heritage partners from England, Scotland, and Wales.

The goal of this initiative is to make valuable expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and essential data more accessible to professionals across the heritage sector through the ResearchSpace knowledge system, an open web data management platform, ensuring that research outputs and data are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable for the entire heritage community.

As Senior Specialist in Digital Humanities for Heritage Science Conservation Research (HSRC) you will be a vital member of a dynamic team of conservation and heritage science professionals in TNA's Collection Care Department. Your role will be key to the development of the HSDS, working with a knowledge base system that uses Semantic Linked Data and the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model to capture conservation practices and heritage science research. This cutting-edge system will feed regular data into the HSDS.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Defining and structuring Heritage Science and Conservation Research data
• Participating in shaping the design and functionality of the HSDS
• Completing the development of ResearchSpace and its integration with the HSDS
• Actively supporting the creation and management of heritage science data in the Collection Care knowledge base system

You will collaborate closely with the Head of Conservation and Treatment Development and the Head of Heritage Science Conservation Research, leading as needed. Your expertise will be crucial in driving forward data collection, knowledge sharing, and planning to ensure that CCD's heritage science data is effectively represented in ResearchSpace and the HSDS. This will also involve understanding and contributing to the operation and design of the CCD knowledge base system and transferring legacy scientific data.

This exciting opportunity is a full-time, fixed-term contract for one year. However, requests for 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.

Be part of this groundbreaking project that will set the stage for the future of heritage science data!

A full job description is attached.

How to apply:

To submit your application, please click here.

You will be asked to upload your CV and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria 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.

We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn't include ideas or work that isn't your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Essential criteria:

• A post-graduate degree from a relevant program or appropriate work experience with a high standard of conservation, heritage science and/or digital knowledge, skills and practice.
• Extensive knowledge of current digital documentation systems and technical standards and the ability to support the development of a creative and innovative knowledge system
• 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 deliver projects 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 or non-peer reviewed publications

Desirable criteria:

• Strong knowledge of archive materials.
• Knowledge of or experience with CIDOC CRM