Senior Researcher

Towards a National Collection seeks a Senior Researcher, who will join our team to manage, undertake, commission, disseminate and report on research and technical development for the National Research Infrastructure for Cultural Heritage (N-RICH) Prototype project.

Closing Date: 10 August 2025 (midnight)
Duration of Contract: Fixed term appointment or secondment to 30 June 2027
Location: predominantly home-based with regular meetings in Edinburgh & London
Hours: 28 hours per week
Salary range: £48,448-£55,450 pro rata

This is an exciting opportunity to join a groundbreaking two-year initiative that marks a significant leap forward in shaping a national infrastructure for digital collections research in the UK. The N-RICH Prototype project is delivered in collaboration between the Towards a National Collection programme and AHRC, funded by UKRI. The project will explore the potential for a UK-wide digital collections research infrastructure, designed to enhance access to and engagement with the UK’s cultural heritage collections. 

The Senior Researcher will focus on the early development of a digital research infrastructure, based on the research and development to date of the Towards a National Collection programme. The role will make a significant contribution to specifying the N-RICH Prototype work packages, which include three cross-cutting research frameworks on environmental impact, ethics, and cybersecurity, a Digitisation Capability Pilot, a Prototype infrastructure.

The post holder will monitor delivery, synthesise technical developments, and identify and fill any evidence gaps, and will liaise with appointed advisors, partner institutions, related national and international infrastructures, as well as with AHRC. Additionally, the Senior Researcher will evaluate tender bids.

The post will require liaison across the UK, which will include travel and overnight stays.