Senior Researcher (Towards a National Collection)

Edinburgh

£48,448-£55,450 pro rata

Fixed term appointment or secondment to 30 June 2027

Part time - 28 hours per week 

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking candidates to manage, undertake, commission, disseminate and report on research and technical development for the National Research Infrastructure for Cultural Heritage (N-RICH) Prototype, part of the UK-wide programme, Towards a National Collection, funded by UK Research and Innovation through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Secondment applications, including from those not based in or near Edinburgh, are welcome. 

About the role

This post sits within the Towards a National Collection team, which comprises a Programme Director, the Senior Researcher, a Coordinator and a Support Officer. 

In this post, you will focus on the early development of an AHRC digital research infrastructure based on the research and development to date of the Towards a National Collection programme. You will make a significant contribution to specifying the N-RICH Prototype work packages, which include frameworks on cyber-security, ethics and environmental impact, a digitisation capability pilot and the build of a prototype digital infrastructure, as well as the evaluation of tender bids. You will monitor delivery, synthesise technical developments, and identify and fill any evidence gaps. You will liaise with appointed advisors, partner institutions, related national and international infrastructures, as well as with AHRC. The post will require liaison across the UK and this will include travel and overnight stays. 

About you

Essential requirements:

• Significant knowledge of technological and organisational challenges around computational research in cultural heritage, as well as an understanding of how those challenges can be overcome to ensure access, interoperability, security and sustainability of online collections
• Significant experience of undertaking and disseminating analytical research in the digital humanities field
• Experience of working within or in partnership with the culture and/or heritage sectors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make complex information understood by non-specialists
• A relevant Honours degree at SCQF level 10, or equivalent experience 

Desirable requirements:

• Experience of undertaking research related to culture and/or heritage collections
• Experience of commissioning technical development
• Understanding of arts and humanities research infrastructures
• A relevant Doctoral degree at SCQF level 12 

Interested?

Visit our website to view the full job description and for information about applying online for this interesting and exciting opportunity. 

Closing date: midnight, Sunday 10 August 2025. 

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