Architectural Investigator in Cambridge

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. Historic England have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Architectural Investigator. This is a fixed term role based out of Cambridge with hybrid working. We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive defined benefit pension scheme to which we make 28.97% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry to English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

What you will be doing:

• Investigate, research and assess aspects of the historic environment, with an emphasis on buildings and the built environment.
• Gather, analyse and interpret research material and field data and disseminate the findings in order to inform the protection and management of the historic environment in support of Historic England's Corporate Plan.
• Work flexibly across regional boundaries to meet research needs as required.
• Carry out exemplary research and investigation as required, including casework for colleagues in Listing and Development Advice, Enhanced Advisory Services and the English Heritage Trust.
• Use primary and secondary sources, including national and regional archives and online sources, and undertake site visits.
• Conduct picture research and negotiate about image reproduction.

Please note the role:

• Will require site visits which may be difficult to access by public transport.
• Requires regular travel to sites, libraries and archive centres.
• Will require occasional overnight stays/long working days and some evening and weekend working.
• May involve working at height and on building sites. Such sites may be anywhere in England, not just in the East.

Who we are looking for:

• A high-standard academic and/or professional qualification in architectural history or a related subject, or equivalent experience gained through on-the-job training or practical experience.
• A broad knowledge of British architectural history, with a specialism in one or more areas.
• Hands-on experience of architectural investigation and analysis (including measured survey/recording) and experience of undertaking documentary research using a variety of sources.
• Experience in producing written text to a high standard, for different audiences and in different media, and in communicating effectively orally.
• Appreciation of the range of approaches used to investigate and analyse buildings and places.
• Experience of working on large projects and within interdisciplinary teams.

Please note your application will be scored and assessed against the above criteria. We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having won the Gold Award from MIND for workplace wellbeing in seven consecutive years, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work‑life balance. We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone.

Why work for Historic England:

• We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone.
• Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work.
• We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.
• We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

At Historic England we use a hiring system called Applied, a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform that reduces bias, improves quality of hire and increases diversity. We do not use CV application for the majority of our hiring processes. You will answer a selection of questions that allow our hiring teams to test your skills and suitability for the role. If you require the use of AI tools or other resources to support your application, we ask that all information is factually accurate, original, and reflects your own experience.