Archive Conservation Lead in Edinburgh

Are you an experienced Book or Paper Conservator who can use your technical and leadership skills to make a difference at the National Records of Scotland (NRS)? The Archive Conservation Lead is responsible for leading the Archive Conservation team, which is part of the Collections Care Branch. This team delivers a comprehensive programme of archive conservation treatment, with the aims of prolonging the life of the collection while also maximising access to the archival records and enhancing the experience of our customers. This is achieved through a combination of special projects and ongoing programmes, working together with colleagues across the organisation as well as external stakeholders.

You will take a leading role in the ongoing development of collections care within NRS by reviewing the priorities of the Archive Conservation team and the allocation of time across them and identifying a clear strategic direction. You will actively engage in teaching and mentoring others and knowledge sharing, and you will promote the work of the Collections Care branch across NRS and to a wider professional community.

Responsibilities

• Lead on designing, planning and managing the delivery of a range of archive conservation treatment workstreams, including readying items for digitisation, making items fit for consultation and preparing items for internal exhibitions and external loans.
• Lead on the assessing and rehousing or treating as required of archives at the point when they enter NRS buildings for the first time or are prepared for a temporary or permanent move out of NRS.
• Collect, interpret, and report on the data required to support decision-making and to assess impact, for example, through collection surveys, condition assessments and technical examination.
• Lead on internal and external stakeholder engagement relating to archive conservation, for example through the provision of training and advice, and with public engagement activities.
• Work with colleagues to disseminate and undertake conservation and heritage science research, which may involve developing collaborations with external organisations such as universities.
• Lead on understanding, interpreting and applying relevant legislation, regulations and practice, keeping abreast of new developments.
• Undertake staff management and development for a team of seven Book and Paper Conservators, plus shared supervision of a team of three Preservation Assistants, whose remit includes working at technician level to support the Conservation team.

Qualifications

• A postgraduate-level qualification in book/paper conservation, from an institution in the UK or other jurisdiction.
• PACR (Professional Accreditation of Conservators - Restorers) accredited membership of Icon or a willingness to pursue such accreditation.
• Candidates should specify relevance of their qualification to Archives, if not clear from title.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. The Success Profile will include the Professional / Technical skills, Experience and Behaviours.

Technical / Professional Skills:

• B15 Assessing the stability and condition of archives and records – Level 3
• B16 Identifying and evaluating conservation options and strategies – Level 3
• B17 Applying interventive conservation measures to archives and records – Level 3
• B18 Developing specialist skills and knowledge – Level 3

Experience of successfully delivering complex archives-relevant conservation services, including finding innovative approaches for the care and conservation of large archival collections. Experience of identifying research opportunities and developing collaborations with other organisations. Experience of providing training and support for internal and external archive users. Experience of public engagement activities such as giving tours and talks and writing content for publications and social media.

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Vacancy closes at 11:59pm on Monday 27 April 2026. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 11 May, however this may be subject to change. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a presentation.

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.