At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate and analyse digital collections to ensure their preservation and functionality.
- Company: Join the British Library, a hub of knowledge preserving the nation's digital heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for creative problem-solving and collaboration.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge tools and technologies in a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to safeguard millions of digital objects and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Do you want to push forwards operational understanding of how to preserve the nation’s digital knowledge? Do you have a natural curiosity to investigate problems and understand the deeper cause? We are looking for someone with good software development experience and an eye for detail, who has a natural curiosity to investigate our digital collections, understand what’s going on, and provide guidance and solutions to stakeholders across the Library.
The British Library's digital collection is vast and varied, with everything from digitised manuscripts and books, to born-digital personal archives, eBooks and eJournals, digital electoral registers, sound content, the UK Web Archive, and much more. In total, the collection comprises many millions of individual digital objects and millions more digital files, amounting to well over a petabyte of data.
One moment you might be analysing a collection as a whole to understand the scope or mitigate a preservation risk; another time you might be investigating a specific digital file to determine why it doesn’t render. Or you might be developing some new software to support our ongoing work, test a hypothesis, or validate a file.
You will need to be creative, methodical, tenacious, able to work independently, and with an instinctive drive to research and investigate problems to their root cause. We work with teams across the Library and beyond, both curatorial and technical, so you will need to have good verbal and written communication skills to ensure you effectively communicate findings and guidance.
The successful candidate will join our team of Technical Analysts who contribute to the development, enhancement, and operational deployment of the tools, services and projects we undertake - such as our Minimum Preservation Tool, our work on emulation, or the analytical support we provide to migrating to our new digital repository system. We also work with the broader community to support and enhance digital preservation tools of relevance to our work.
Primarily we make use of Python, however we have to work with third party tools in whatever language they use (e.g. Java), so a willingness and ability to quickly learn new skills is helpful.
Vacancy for Technical Analyst at British Library in London employer: Digital Preservation Coalition
The British Library is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets tradition. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, staff are encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity while contributing to the preservation of the nation's digital heritage. Located in Boston Spa or St Pancras, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values communication and teamwork, alongside access to a vast array of resources and projects that make a meaningful impact on society.
Contact Details:
Digital Preservation Coalition Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vacancy for Technical Analyst at British Library in London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the British Library's digital collections. Understanding the types of digital objects they manage will help you demonstrate your interest and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Python skills, as it's a key language for this role. Consider working on personal projects or contributing to open-source projects that involve digital preservation or data analysis.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the digital preservation field. Attend relevant workshops or webinars to connect with others and gain insights into the latest trends and challenges in the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving approach. Think of specific examples where you've investigated issues and provided solutions, as this will showcase your analytical skills and curiosity.
We think you need these skills to ace Vacancy for Technical Analyst at British Library in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Technical Analyst position at the British Library. Familiarise yourself with their digital collections and the tools they use.
Tailor Your CV:Highlight your software development experience, particularly with Python and any other relevant languages. Emphasise your problem-solving skills and any previous work related to digital preservation or analysis.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your curiosity and investigative skills. Mention specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can contribute to the British Library's mission.
Proofread Your Application:Ensure that your application is free from spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Preservation Coalition
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your natural curiosity during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've investigated problems in the past, particularly in relation to digital collections or software development. This will show that you have the right mindset for a Technical Analyst role.
✨Highlight Your Software Skills
Make sure to emphasise your software development experience, especially with Python. Be ready to provide examples of projects you've worked on, and how you've used your skills to solve complex issues. This will help the interviewers see your technical capabilities.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since the role requires good verbal and written communication skills, practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to explain your findings or solutions to non-technical stakeholders, so showcasing your ability to communicate clearly is key.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of specific examples where you've had to analyse data or troubleshoot issues, particularly in digital preservation. This will demonstrate your methodical approach and tenacity in tackling challenges.
