At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in researching and documenting the history of poverty in Wales from 1834 to 1930.
- Company: Collaborative project led by The National Archives and top universities.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, travel opportunities, and a chance to engage with the public.
- Other info: Full-time role with potential for part-time and flexible arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by uncovering untold stories of Welsh paupers and their advocates.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in relevant disciplines and strong archival research skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
A Century of Struggle: Pauperism and the New Poor Law in Wales 1834 – 1930 is a collaborative research project led by The National Archives in collaboration with Aberystwyth University and Nottingham Trent University. The project aims to provide, for the first time, a detailed picture of the totality of the New Poor Law in Wales. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) (award reference: UKRI1432).
The post holder will be responsible for executing a programme of work on poverty and the poor law in Wales from 1834 to 1930 as agreed with the funder, The Arts and Humanities Research Council. This post will be focused mainly on the archives held in various north and mid-Wales Archive Services and the National Library of Wales, with regular visits to The National Archives in Kew. This post is a fixed term appointment for three years.
Principal duties:
- Collecting (digital imaging) and/or sampling sources and a substantial element of transcription of handwritten, typed or printed primary source material.
- Capturing the views and life stories of Welsh paupers, the wider poor and their advocates; and the same of the parochial, union, and central poor law authorities, as well as statistical and operational data.
- Undertaking analysis of materials collected including coding/geocoding, linguistic/corpus analysis, qualitative, and quantitative analysis as required.
- Managing volunteer editors and their development in the production of historical New Poor Law data sets.
- Engaging in public engagement activities including public presentations and social/other media engagement.
- Proposing and delivering conference research papers.
- Contributing to the episodic reporting of outcomes to the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
- Authoring or co-authoring articles and other outputs named in the original grant application.
A combination of onsite and home working is available, and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for necessary meetings/work. 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.
Person Specification:
Essential Criteria
- Educated to PhD or equivalent (in experience/publications) in a relevant discipline.
- Demonstrable detailed knowledge of the relevant poor law related archival collections at both The National Archives and local/county archives.
- Significant experience of authoring written outputs including writing books, peer reviewed articles, and compiling research resources.
- Demonstrable experience of creating historical datasets from a varied archival series, coding/geocoding the same and presenting the data in paper and online environments.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrable ability and experience to engage and persuade stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage your own time and handle a varied and demanding workload.
- Significant experience advising, managing, or working with volunteers.
Desirable criteria
- The ability to read Welsh documents would be an advantage.
- Experience of advising, managing, or working with volunteers to create research data sets, including quality assessment of compiled data.
Closing date: Tuesday 16th December 2025 at midnight.
Poor Law Research Assistant in London employer: The National Archives, UK
The National Archives, in collaboration with Aberystwyth University and Nottingham Trent University, offers a unique opportunity for the Poor Law Research Assistant to engage in meaningful research that shapes our understanding of historical poverty in Wales. With a supportive work culture that values flexibility, including options for remote work and part-time arrangements, employees are encouraged to grow through public engagement and academic contributions. This role not only provides access to invaluable archival resources but also fosters collaboration with passionate colleagues dedicated to preserving and interpreting Welsh history.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Poor Law Research Assistant in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the project inside out! Familiarise yourself with the history of the New Poor Law in Wales and the specific archives involved. This will help you stand out during interviews and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past researchers involved in similar projects. They can provide insights and maybe even tips on how to ace your application. Plus, it’s always good to have connections in the field!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Prepare examples of your previous work with archival materials, especially any experience with transcription or data analysis. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience will give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Poor Law Research Assistant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Make sure you really understand the project and its goals. Dive into the details of the New Poor Law and how it affected Wales. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Show Off Your Writing Skills:Since you'll be authoring articles and reports, highlight your writing experience. Share examples of your previous work, whether it's books, articles, or research papers. We want to see your flair for words!
Be Organised:With a role that involves managing volunteers and handling various tasks, demonstrate your organisational skills. Talk about how you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively. We love a well-structured application!
Engage with Us:Don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for public engagement activities! Let us know how you plan to connect with different audiences and share your findings. Apply through our website and show us your passion!
How to prepare for a job interview at The National Archives, UK
✨Know Your Archives
Familiarise yourself with the specific archival collections related to the New Poor Law in Wales. Being able to discuss your knowledge of these archives and their significance during the interview will show your genuine interest and preparedness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Prepare examples of your written work, whether it's articles, books, or research resources. Be ready to discuss your writing process and how you approach authoring outputs, as this is a key part of the job.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your past experiences working with volunteers and stakeholders. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've built relationships and managed teams, as strong interpersonal skills are essential for this role.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Brush up on your coding/geocoding and data analysis techniques. Be ready to explain how you would approach analysing historical datasets and presenting your findings, as this will be a significant part of your responsibilities.
