Conservator - Archive Materials

As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it’s where we go next that makes things really interesting. In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring. That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you.

Job Overview

• Salary: £33,784 per annum
• Contract type: Permanent
• Band: E / Higher Executive Officer
• Closing date: Sunday 8th March 2026 at midnight

The Conservator – Archive Materials is part of a team of conservation professionals responsible for the preservation of The National Archives’ physical collection through interventive and preventive means. The aim of this role is to prolong the life of the collection while also maximising access to the archival records and enhancing the experience of our users. This is achieved through a combination of special projects and on‑going programmes, taking the lead as required, and working together with colleagues across the organisation as well as external visitors and stakeholders.

You will have an extensive knowledge of archives conservation practice, and a specialism in all aspects of archival collections, bringing excellent practical and research skills as well as an informed approach to delivery of conservation treatments in line with current conservation standards. You will take a full role in the on‑going development of collection care within The National Archives by actively engaging in data collecting, research, knowledge sharing, teaching and mentoring others, planning, organising and helping to deliver departmental projects and actively promoting the work of the department across The National Archives and to a wider professional community.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part‑time working, 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.

Application Process

We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. Interviews will be held on‑site ideally week commencing 16th March 2026, and will include a practical assessment. Selection for interview will be based on the ‘essential’ requirements in the job description so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Job Description Role and Responsibilities

• Take ownership of projects as set out in the departmental annual business plan, being responsible for the development, planning, and delivery of projects to agreed targets and professional standards.
• Deliver on‑going Collection Care programmes, including support for The National Archives’ Public Engagement agenda and its internal projects.
• Independently solve complex problems regarding the care of the collection, applying a high degree of expertise, judgement, innovation, and adaptability, and, where applicable, negotiate the resulting decisions with peers and customers within and beyond The National Archives.
• Proactively collect, interpret, and report the facts and evidence to support decision‑making and to assess impact, for example, through collection surveys, condition assessments and technical examination.
• Proactively support Collection Care’s agenda to disseminate knowledge across a range of platforms, through written and spoken means, including but not limited to informal and formal publications, treatment roundtables and conferences.
• Work together with colleagues within The National Archives, building and maintaining relationships to encourage best preservation practice at all levels across the organisation.
• Assess and manage risks to The National Archives’ collections in accordance with the profession’s code of ethics.
• Contribute significantly to the overall improvement of knowledge and skills within the department by developing and implementing new thinking and approaches to caring for archival collections.
• Supervise and support new staff, student placements and volunteers and formally manage staff, if required.
• Provide professional advice and guidance on the care and conservation of archival collections.
• Proactively contribute to Collection Care’s Public and Academic Engagement agenda.

Working Conditions

• Conservation studio
• Display Screen Equipment user
• Moving items up to 10kg in weight and occasionally moving heavy documents (over 25 kg) with the use of equipment such as trolleys, scissor lifts and other dedicated document transfer equipment. Training will be provided.
• May come into contact with distressing material.

Person Specification

• A graduate from a recognised conservation programme or appropriate work experience with a high standard of conservation knowledge, skill and practice beyond initial training with a demonstrable expertise in the conservation of paper and archive materials.
• Extensive knowledge of current conservation practice and ethical standards, the ability to identify research opportunities and to develop creative and innovative approaches to the care and conservation of large archival collections.
• Demonstrable skills in solving complex problems and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement.
• Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively, with the potential to build and lead a team able to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and timetable.
• Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative, with strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent inter‑personal and negotiation skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organisation and with a wide range of external customers.
• Proficiency with IT systems including MS Office products.

• PACR (Professional Accreditation of Conservators- Restorers) accredited membership of Icon or a willingness to pursue such accreditation.
• Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of managing complex data.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Published professional papers.

• May require evening or weekend availability.
• May be required to travel nationally and internationally.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on‑site café and opportunities for training and development.
• Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non‑disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Contact Point For Applicants

Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team

Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk.