Senior Research Lead

Museum of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

London Museum is seeking a Senior Research Lead to develop its new Research Centre and coordinate research across the organisation, building on the museum's Independent Research Organisation status.

The role will also manage the Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award programme for 12 doctoral students over four years, with a focus on London’s history and UKRI grants.

Qualifications

• Experience managing UKRI research grants
• Ability to foster innovative research and guide it to impact
• Passion for London's history

Responsibilities

• Develop the Research Centre and coordinate research activity across the organisation.
• Oversee the Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award programme of 12 doctoral students over four years.

Job description

With its new home at the former Smithfield Market opening this year, London Museum is at an important point in its history. Alongside the new building, the museum is developing an ambitious new strand of research, embedding this practice within every aspect of what we do. Building on the museum's new Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status, we are looking to develop a new Research Centre at the heart of our organisation.

Based in the Curatorial department, the Senior Research Lead will be responsible for developing the Research Centre and coordinating research activity across the organisation. They will also be responsible for managing the ambitious Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award programme of 12 doctoral students over four years.

This role will suit someone with a passion for London's history, experience of the management of UKRI research grants, and a vision for the potential of innovative research in a city museum context.

Previous experience of working in a museum is not required, although an understanding of the role of an IRO is. We are looking for someone who has experience of fostering innovative research and of guiding it to maximum impact.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 27 September 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview on Monday 12 October 2026.

If you are successfully shortlisted you will invited to an interview where you will asked questions to help us understand more about what you share in your application, and in particular to understand how you meet the essential person specification criteria for the role and demonstrate our museum behaviours. You will also be asked to complete a brief presentation task at the start of the interview.

London Museum is committed to being an equitable and inclusive employer, and to becoming representative of the diversity of London. We particularly welcome applications from people from Global Majority backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in our organisation.

We also welcome applications from disabled people, as we’re a Disability Confident Leader and are committed to recruiting, retaining and developing disabled people.

National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, WilliamBrown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN