Science Museum Group
Collections Data Officer (Part Time, 1 year FTC)
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Are you a documentation professional looking to apply your skills to one of the UK's most significant photographic archives?
About us
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford explores the culture of image and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. Home to internationally significant collections of film, television, photography, sound, and gaming technologies, alongside extensive library and archive collections, the museum is internationally recognised while retaining a strong sense of place and relevance for its local communities. As part of a rich cultural programme, we deliver three festivals each year and house three cinemas - including Europe's first IMAX screen and the world's only public Cinerama screen.
The museum is part of the Science Museum Group, the world's leading group of science museums, which also includes the Science Museum in London, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, and Locomotion in Shildon. Together we care for a collection of over seven million items spanning science, technology, engineering, medicine, transport, and media, and we share a mission to inspire futures - igniting curiosity among people of all ages and backgrounds. Joining us means becoming part of a talented group of colleagues working to care for, understand, and share these extraordinary collections with the world.
About the role
This role within the Collections Data team offers an exciting opportunity to work with collections information from one of the world's pre-eminent collections of science, technology, transport, medicine, and media. As Collections Data Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the Daily Herald Linked Image Analysis (DaHLIA) project, helping to validate and enhance large datasets generated through the application of artificial intelligence to the Science Museum Group's collections.
Working with collections data, images, and metadata, you will review and quality assure AI-generated transcriptions and extracted information, helping to ensure that data is accurate, reliable, and suitable for integration into our Collection Management System. Your work will contribute directly to improving the quality and accessibility of collection records made available through Collections Online.
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This role would suit someone with a collections information, documentation, or cataloguing background who has excellent attention to detail and an interest in digital collections, data quality, and emerging technologies. Supported by experienced members of the Collections Data team, you will gain valuable experience in collections data management, digital humanities, and the responsible use of AI in a museum environment.
This is a part-time, 12-month fixed term contract, working 17.5 hours per week, paid £13,526 per annum (£27,052 full-time equivalent), with flexibility over how those hours are spread. You'll be based at our National Science and Media Museum in Bradford and on-site 1-2 days a week - this role involves checking material directly against the collection, so being on-site regularly is essential.
About you
We're keen to hear from people with a grounding in collections information, documentation, or cataloguing - anyone who has practical experience in a Collection Management System and knows what good, standards-compliant data looks like. Experience of Mimsy XG, Spectrum cataloguing, or working with digital assets and their metadata will help, as will confidence handling large datasets in Excel or OpenRefine. Just as important is mindset: this project applies AI to material from the Daily Herald Archive, and a substantial dataset has already been generated from those images. We need someone who will interrogate what the machine has produced rather than take it at face value - spotting inconsistencies, ambiguity, and bias in transcriptions and extracted fields, chasing down the gaps, and using their own initiative to resolve them. If you're curious about where digital collections, data quality, and emerging technology meet, and you enjoy the detective work of getting a record right, this will suit you.
The role is based at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford and works on a hybrid basis, with 1-2 days a week on site. Being able to get to the museum weekly matters here: some of the validation work involves going to the object itself to check what's been screened and imaged against the record. At 17.5 hours a week, we're genuinely flexible about how those hours are spread across the week, so this could work well alongside study, freelance work, or other commitments.
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Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.
What we offer
Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
- Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Wellbeing. All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise, and build a sense of community.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
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