At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance discoverability of the National Trust Sound Archive through metadata and rights review.
- Company: Collaborative fellowship between the National Trust and the British Library.
- Benefits: Receive a stipend, travel expenses, and hands-on experience in digital audio archives.
- Other info: Opportunity for site visits and hybrid working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving oral history while gaining valuable research experience.
- Qualifications: Current PhD student with an interest in metadata and copyright issues.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 21000 £ per year.
The National Trust and the British Library invite applications from current PhD students for a three-month doctoral fellowship working on the National Trust Sound Archive, as part of our ongoing research partnership. The National Trust Sound Archive is the second largest oral history collection held at the British Library, consisting of more than 1,700 items recorded from the 1980s to the present day by 157 National Trust properties.
The collection is frequently requested by onsite researchers at the Library, but a significant amount of work is required to enhance discoverability and reusability of the interviews. In particular, work is needed to investigate and ascertain the full copyright status of 1,300 of the 1,700 recordings in the collection, and to review the interviews for sensitivities under GDPR before access conditions can be determined.
The aim of this project is for a student to undertake the necessary work for the recordings belonging to a minimum of three National Trust properties to be catalogued with enhanced metadata and the rights status ascertained. These ‘case study’ properties have been selected based on the likelihood of their generating a high number of recordings that can be cleared and catalogued, so that the student’s work on them will have immediate and demonstrable results.
The student will also work with the Trust and Library colleagues to plan a strategy to roll out the approach to sets of interviews in the collection recorded by other Trust properties. The fellowship will be hosted at the British Library, offering the student hands-on experience of working with digital audio archives. The student will work closely with colleagues at the Trust and conduct site visits to properties, where appropriate, to benefit from the expertise of staff and volunteers in the history of the properties and the oral history collection.
Further information and details of how to apply are available on the National Trust website.
- Post location: The majority of this placement will be on site at the British Library’s St. Pancras site, with provision for home and hybrid working and some site visits to National Trust properties in London, the South East and the Midlands.
- Post Duration: 3 months full time, 6 months part time.
- Salary (per year pro rata): The appointed fellow will receive a stipend equivalent to the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend (plus London weighting), as well as reasonable expenses for any fellowship-related travel.
- Post Commencement Date: September 2026.
PhD Sound Archive Fellowship: Metadata & Rights Review employer: Oral History Society
The National Trust and the British Library offer a unique opportunity for PhD students to engage in meaningful research through the Sound Archive Fellowship. With a focus on enhancing discoverability and reusability of oral history collections, this role provides hands-on experience in a prestigious environment, fostering collaboration with experts and offering flexible working arrangements. The supportive work culture prioritises professional growth and encourages innovative approaches to archival research, making it an excellent choice for those seeking impactful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Sound Archive Fellowship: Metadata & Rights Review
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current and former fellows, or anyone connected to the National Trust or British Library. A friendly chat can give us insights that might not be in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the National Trust Sound Archive. Familiarise yourself with its history and current projects. This shows us your genuine interest and helps you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows us your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Sound Archive Fellowship: Metadata & Rights Review
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the fellowship's focus on metadata and rights review. We want to see your passion for oral history and how you can contribute to enhancing the National Trust Sound Archive.
Showcase Relevant Experience:If you've worked with audio archives, metadata, or copyright issues before, shout about it! We love seeing candidates who have hands-on experience that relates directly to the tasks outlined in the job description.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about why you're the right fit for this fellowship. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive your application and can consider you for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oral History Society
✨Know Your Metadata
Familiarise yourself with metadata standards and practices relevant to sound archives. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance discoverability and reusability of audio recordings, as this will show your understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Understand Copyright and GDPR
Brush up on copyright laws and GDPR regulations, especially as they pertain to oral history collections. Prepare examples of how you would approach the rights review process for the recordings, demonstrating your analytical skills and attention to detail.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
Be prepared to talk about your previous research experiences, particularly any that involved archival work or oral histories. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully catalogued or reviewed materials, as this will illustrate your capability for the fellowship.
✨Engage with the National Trust's Mission
Research the National Trust and its properties, especially those related to the sound archive. Show genuine interest in their mission and how your work can contribute to preserving and enhancing their oral history collection during the interview.
