Barker Postdoctoral Fellow in Colonial Deposit
Location: St Pancras
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: B
Salary: £35,993 per annum – this is the starting salary for this role unless you have evidence of a higher salary, in which case it may be reviewed.
About the role
Co‑design a research project with the Library for a 12‑month funded fellowship, embedded in our expert curatorial and research teams. The fellowship supports researchers, creatives and cultural professionals with practical skills, professional insight and interdisciplinary experience. It aims to develop the theme of “Colonial Deposit and our Newspaper Collection.” Supervised by Dr Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator for News & Moving Image, and supported by the Research Development Team.
Legal deposit for books has existed in Britain since 1662. National newspaper collecting followed a different path, especially colonial deposit. Our collection of newspapers from Commonwealth countries is significant but varied. You will widen knowledge and understanding, identify unique material for future digitisation and gaps for acquisition, and highlight lesser‑known titles and stories for exhibition and outreach.
How to apply
To apply you must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the attached guidelines. Attach a short, anonymised CV (max. 2 pages) and a research proposal (max. 2000 words) covering:
- Aims and objectives – What you hope to achieve with your proposed work and why it is important.
- How it aligns with the research theme – Potential direct and indirect benefits to the Fellow, the Library, and the wider cultural and heritage sector.
- Methodology, indicative timescale and outputs – How you will deliver the proposed work, including an outline budget and possibly a Gantt chart or visual aid.
- Professional development and career aspirations.
About us
We are the national library of the UK, with over 170 million items. Our mission is to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and into the future.
What we can offer you
- Access to a defined‑benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements, including flexi‑time.
- 25 days’ holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
Things you need to know
- We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
- Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check (DBS check).
- Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal.
- We welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race, other ethnically diverse and disabled candidates. Inclusive workplace is core to our business.
Closing date: 23:59 on 15 July 2026
If you have any questions, please contact: BL-recruitment@bl.uk
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