What It’s Like to Work Here
At IWM, we’re united by a shared purpose: telling stories that help people understand conflict and its impact on all of us. But just as importantly, we’re united by how we work. This is a place where people genuinely care about the mission, about our visitors, and about each other.
You’ll join a collaborative, curious, and supportive team where ideas are welcomed, learning is encouraged, and expertise is valued. Whether helping researchers discover the richness of our collections, supporting the delivery of the museum research strategy and programme, or contributing to digital scholarship, you’ll be part of a culture built on trust, respect, and a shared passion for knowledge.
If you’re motivated by meaningful work, enjoy helping people access information, and want to contribute to an ambitious, research driven cultural institution, you’ll feel right at home here.
Why This Role Matters
IWM’s Research Room and Reference Library are central to how scholars, students, writers, families and the public engage with our world class collections.
As a Research Support Librarian, you will play an essential role in:
- Supporting academic, personal, and commercial research
- Improving access to physical and digital collections
- Contributing to new digital scholarship services
- Strengthening IWM’s research presence across the sector
Your expertise will directly enhance how thousands of researchers interact with IWM’s stories, collections, and knowledge, helping ensure our research offer remains of the highest standard
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll play a hands-on, varied role supporting researchers, developing collections, and shaping new services. A typical week may include:
- Supporting the day-to-day running of the Research Room and delivering a first-class researcher experience
- Helping researchers navigate IWM’s collections using print, digital and online resources.
- Developing and maintaining the Reference Library collection in line with IWM policies.
- Delivering information and digital literacy sessions to staff, scholars, and visiting researchers.
- Supporting the development of digital scholarship services and innovative, user focused systems.
- Creating and contributing content for IWM’s online presence, including blogs and social media.
- Providing mentoring and ‘on the job’ training support to the Apprentice Research Support Librarian.
- Benchmarking IWM’s services against other leading research organisations to ensure excellence.
- Working with colleagues across departments to improve understanding and use of research services.
- Supporting displays, events and public programming that promote the library and its collection.
- Representing IWM at professional groups, conferences, seminars and external networks as appropriate.
What We’re Looking For
Required
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
- A postgraduate professional qualification in Librarianship.
- Demonstrable understanding of academic research processes and researcher needs.
- Demonstrable experience developing and delivering user focused library or research support services.
- Demonstrable knowledge of computerised information retrieval systems, digital library systems, digital scholarship of digital collections.
- Experience building strong relationships with stakeholders and internal teams.
- A proactive, positive approach with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of post-1900 British and Commonwealth history
- Experience working within museum, cultural or learning sectors.
- Experience delivering projects on time and within budget.
How You’ll Work
You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across Collections Access & Research, Collections and Curatorial, Digital, Learning and Engagement, and other teams. You’ll also work with external scholars, universities, and sector partners helping ensure IWM remains a leading centre for research.
You’ll be supported to grow your expertise, engage in professional networks, and contribute to sector wide conversations about the future of research services.
What Success Looks Like
In your first 6–12 months, success will look like:
- Researchers receiving an excellent, consistent and supportive service.
- Increased use and visibility of the Reference Library and digital scholarship services.
- Strong relationships built across departments and with external partners.
- Confident delivery of training, guidance, and support to internal and external researchers.
- Insightful contributions to events, displays, and content that highlight IWM’s collections and research offer.