Conservator

Are you an experienced Book Conservator who can use your knowledge and skills to make a difference at the National Records of Scotland?

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) collect, preserve and publish information about Scotland's people and history, to inform current and future generations. We are looking for an experienced book conservator to join the Archive Conservation team, within the Collections Care branch. The Archive Conservation 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.

The work is varied, and includes archive treatment and rehousing, disaster preparedness and response, collection assessment and surveying, exhibition preparation and contributing to conservation policy development. 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. You will be based in Thomas Thomson House but with some time spent in our other buildings in Edinburgh, and the occasional requirement to work off site at other heritage organisations.

• Deliver a range of book and archive conservation treatments, in order to ready items for digitisation, make items fit for consultation and prepare items for internal exhibitions and external loans.
• Assess and rehouse or treat as required 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.
• Contribute to 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.
• Participate in understanding, interpreting and applying relevant legislation, regulations and practice, keeping abreast of new developments.
• Undertake staff management and development, including assisting with the supervision of a team of three Preservation Assistants, and occasional placement students and volunteers.