Full-time, Two-year fixed term contract post based in Central London (WC1)
The Wiener Library is Britain’s largest archive on the Holocaust and Nazi era. In December 2011, the Foreign Office made the decision to deposit the UK’s digital copy of the International Tracing Service Archive at The Wiener Library. This unique archive contains over 100 million pages of Holocaust-era documents relating to the fates of over 17.5 million people who were subject to incarceration, forced labour and displacement during and after World War II.
The Library is recruiting a full-time researcher to manage enquiries for individual and family research in the Archive and to conduct research in the Archive, in related Wiener Library collections, and in other archives where relevant, in order to support the creation of a new digital resource based on thousands of pages of Holocaust testimony recorded by the Wiener Library in the 1950s. This project has the working title ‘Testifying to the Truth: Making the Wiener Library’s Eyewitness Testimonies Accessible to All’ and is supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The ITS Archive Researcher will manage and respond to enquiries relating to individual and family research in the International Tracing Service Digital Archive as well as conduct research in the Archive to support the ‘Testifying to the Truth’ digital resource project. Tasks will include:
Processing and responding to research enquiries from survivors, refugees and their families, the media, educators and others on individuals in the ITS Digital Archive.
Managing volunteer ITS Digital Archive researchers who assist with processing family research enquiries and reviewing their research.
Helping to maintain the database of ITS Digital Archive enquiries.
Conducting outreach and representing the Library to outside groups interested in names-based/family research within the ITS digital archive.
Working with the Head of Digital, Head of Research and Digital Engagement Manager to assist with the planning and carrying out of research tasks relating to the ‘Testifying to the Truth’ project.
Working with volunteers, contractors and others on the ‘Testifying to the Truth’ project.
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
Educated to degree level in a relevant subject area
Specialist knowledge of the Holocaust, World War II and the post-war era
Research experience in a relevant subject area
Experience in working and communicating with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities
Skills and Ability
Essential
Advanced research knowledge of German
Strong IT skills and/or experience of digitally-based research
Excellent oral and written communication skills to write up and disseminate research findings
Strong inter-personal skills
Highly desirable
Advanced knowledge of other European languages
Experience using the OusArchiv database system
The post is for a fixed term for two years with an annual salary of £26,500.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a full CV and covering letter outlining your experience to:
Neta Lavee, nlavee@wienerlibrary.co.uk.
The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 26th October 2015.