Archivist - Royal Institution (closes 23 Nov)
Job Title: Archivist
Date: November 2025
Accountable to: Head of Heritage & Collections
Location: 21 Albemarle Street, London
Contract type: 2 Year Fixed Term contract (35 hours per week) Opportunity for hybrid working
Salary: £48,000-£50,000 per annum
Closing date: 23/11/2025
Job Purpose
To develop, review and refine the Royal Institutions archival collections. The post holder will help shape how our history is preserved, organised, and shared — ensuring that over two centuries of scientific discovery continue to inspire new generations.
Main responsibilities of the role
Your work will include selecting, preserving, arranging, and cataloguing collections, as well as responding to enquiries from colleagues, researchers, and the public. You will also take an active role in showcasing the archives through exhibitions, talks, tours, and sector collaborations — helping to connect people with the Ri’s extraordinary legacy.
By making our collections accessible and engaging, you’ll support everything from research and education to membership, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities, keeping the story of the Ri alive and relevant today.
Role responsibilities will include:
Identify, sort and classify archive material for preservation and retention, including the arrangement of conservation services where necessary in conjunction with the Head of Heritage and Collections
Catalogue existing records and new accessions: the creation and management and maintenance of up-to-date structured finding aids, classification systems and access points on appropriate archive software, ensuring that international descriptive standards are followed
Contribute to the creation of, updating and implement of archival policies and procedures framework to cover the retention and digitisation of the archival collections and the development of a ‘Born Digital archive’.
Oversee, in line with these policies, the routine collection, description, preservation, administration, arrangement and publication of material (in whatever medium)
Take responsibility for enabling and supervising Reading Room Access for internal and external readers
Collaborate with/advise/assist as appropriate those holding specific responsibilities within the Ri (including educational, administrative, promotional and digital)
Accession, artefacts and catalogue
Appraise the current archive catalogue held within our CRM Adlib for transfer to new CRM system, advising on data clean up and new structure allowing for growth and interconnection with the museum catalogue
Appraise potential donations of material and process and re-packaging new additions Assess the current archive storage arrangements and produce recommendations for potential improvements
Academic engagement and work with the Community
Respond to enquiries from staff, Ri members and members of the public, both in person and remotely and record these enquiries
Promote the Archive through exhibitions, talks and collaboration with Ri departments.
Work with the Digital team to promote the collections and engage users through a variety of communication channels, including blogs and social media
Assist in the undertaking of research into specific collections and topic areas as agreed with the Head of Heritage and Collections, in line with current Ri strategy and present projects/focus
Maintain all required health and safety documentation for the archives, including disaster recovery and evacuation plans
Full job description can be found here.
Further details and application process via the Royal Institution website here.