Archive Photographer Trainee in Edinburgh

Starting salary: £27,740 pro rata, per year

Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months

Grade: 1

Location: John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 9NX

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Interviews: To be held on Week Commencing 27 July 2026 or 03 August 2026

You will be a part of a team of three staff focussed on delivering a quality photographic and digitisation service of material in the archive, for external users, as well as internal business needs. You will receive training in archival photography techniques, scanning, studio photography, workflows, application of software programmes, archive handling and historic photography methods. You will gain considerable insight into the role photography and digitisation plays in preservation and access, and how to apply sector standards and good practice to achieve this.

This post will be part of a wider programme of Conservation Traineeships. Trainees will have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field of conservation, increase knowledge of the wider conservation sector, expand their professional network and have access to a wide range of learning resources and opportunities from the Engine Shed, Scotland’s dedicated Building Conservation Centre.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland:

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role:

This is a training and development role for someone starting their career in the digital heritage sector which will build on basic knowledge and give opportunities to learn. All appropriate training and equipment will be provided. Your day-to-day duties will include:

• Preparing high quality images from the HES Archive for online access, preservation, publication, exhibition and public orders.
• Supporting the delivery of the digitisation of HES’s archive material and archiving resultant files to agreed and documented standards to ensure preservation.
• Liaising with the Conservation team to ensure safe handling of material.
• Understanding and following good practice and standards in digitisation, including workflows, image capture, metadata, storage and retrieval.
• Assist with the maintenance of equipment.
• Assist with project planning, assembling performance indicators, monitoring and purchasing materials when required.

For this role, you will be based at John Sinclair House, Edinburgh. During your traineeship, you will have the opportunity to work across different teams within HES, attend site visits and assist on outreach projects. All travel expenses will be covered for additional travel from your base location (John Sinclair House), and all necessary training and equipment will be provided. Please note your standard commute will be at your own expense.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

• Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland
• How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• A relevant qualification in Photography, Visual Communication, Digital Design and Development or related field (SCQF Level 8 or equivalent).
• A strong interest in photography and digitisation.
• Experience of digitisation, image manipulation and colour management software.
• Knowledge of types of digital file formats and relevant photographic/ digitisation equipment.
• Drive, initiative and a methodical working approach with an attention to detail.
• The ability to be a good team worker and to work with minimal supervision.
• Open to learning new skills, practices, procedures and gaining experience working with archives.
• A keen interest in Scottish architecture, history and/or archaeology.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.