Archive Researcher

BBC Group and Public Services; Greater London; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour week

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Job summary

BBC Studios in London is seeking an Archive Researcher to support the Archive Producer and related teams. The role focuses on researching archive content, rights checks, and assisting with material assessments for BBC social channels.

You will gain hands-on experience in a specialist team, developing skills in archive systems and rights clearance while contributing to digital publishing. A London-based role with a fixed-term contract.

Qualifications

• Passion for archive content, television, digital media and the wider media industry.
• Strong research and information gathering skills, with the ability to work through detailed and process-driven tasks accurately.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Support the Archive Producer and Archive Assistant Producers by responding to archive research briefs and sourcing relevant content.
• Review archive material and use internal systems to assist with rights checks, content assessments and clearance activities.
• Maintain accurate records of research, rights positions and content assessments within internal databases and tracking systems.
• Liaise with Rights teams, Editorial teams and archive content suppliers to support archive research and publishing workflows.
• Research archive content in line with editorial briefs, audience needs and BBC policies, identifying relevant material and escalating opportunities where appropriate.

Skills

Archive passion

Research skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Time management

Job description

JOB BAND: B
CONTRACT TYPE: 12 Month Fixed-term Contract, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Studios Digital Brands
LOCATION: London – Television Centre
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £27,000 plus £5,441 London Weighting depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Join the Digital Brands team and help unlock the BBC's rich archive for digital audiences. As an Archive Researcher, you'll support the Archive Producer and Archive Assistant Producers by researching archive content, carrying out rights checks and helping assess material for use across BBC social channels. This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to develop their archive and content research skills while gaining hands‑on experience within a specialist team.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

This is a fantastic opportunity to build a career in archive research within BBC Digital Brands. Working alongside experienced archive specialists, you'll develop valuable knowledge of archive systems, rights clearance processes and editorial considerations while contributing to content that reaches audiences across BBC social channels. You'll be part of a collaborative and supportive team, gaining practical experience and insight into how archive content is identified, assessed and prepared for digital publishing.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Support the Archive Producer and Archive Assistant Producers by responding to archive research briefs and sourcing relevant content.
• Review archive material and use internal systems to assist with rights checks, content assessments and clearance activities.
• Maintain accurate records of research, rights positions and content assessments within internal databases and tracking systems.
• Liaise with Rights teams, Editorial teams and archive content suppliers to support archive research and publishing workflows.
• Research archive content in line with editorial briefs, audience needs and BBC policies, identifying relevant material and escalating opportunities where appropriate.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Passion for archive content, television, digital media and the wider media industry.
• Strong research and information‑gathering skills, with the ability to work through detailed and process‑driven tasks accurately.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Good organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and work both independently and as part of a team.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Awareness of BBC Editorial Guidelines, compliance requirements and the importance of accuracy and impartiality.
• Experience reading post‑production documentation, such as PasC and MRF paperwork, and identifying copyright considerations.
• Experience or a demonstrable interest in archive or footage research.
• Familiarity with archive management systems, content databases or rights‑management tools.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify practical solutions when working through research or clearance challenges.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

We appreciate your interest in this position and understand how important this opportunity is to you. Due to the high volume of interest, we may need to close the application period earlier than anticipated. This step is necessary to ensure we can provide a high level of attention and service to all applicants. Thank you for your understanding.

#BBCSTUDIOS

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

We are unable to accept applications via CV and only applications made online will be considered.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

Information at a Glance

This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world’s best loved content, and the BBC’s mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Find out more about BBC Studios

Life at BBC Studios

• A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annualleave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy anextra five days.
• Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
• Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access,life assurance and accident benefit.
• BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets here .
• Career development in a values‑led purpose-driven culture.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

Candidate pack

You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we’d be happy to discuss: [e-mail]

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.