Archival Processing and Metadata Specialist

Archival Processing and Metadata Specialist

 


Images from NCBS and beyond, mostly from student life. NI-005_5_1_3_18, NCBS: Photographs, Negatives and Slides Collection, Archives at NCBS.

 

We are seeking Metadata Archivists who have subject-matter expertise in the following fields : 

Biological Sciences

Physics 

Mathematics

Feminist Science Studies

Ecology and Conservation

 

Role: Metadata Archivist

When: April 2025-March 2026
Duration: 3 months

Where: In-person at NCBS in Bangalore

Number of positions: 4
Submission deadline: Rolling, (This announcement was first made on March 21 2025. First review after April 15 2025, 11:59PM IST. And then every two weeks thereafter. The website will be updated when the positions are filled).

Compensation: Rs 35,000 per month (negotiable).

 

About the Archives

 

Archives at NCBS is a public collecting centre for the history of science in India. The archiving team works towards the access, use, and care of archival materials through various activities including accessioning, cataloguing and processing, description, metadata creation, preservation, digitisation and conservation. We also prioritise our ongoing work to document the history and contributions of under-represented and minoritised groups in science in our collections.

 

Job Description

 

We are seeking Metadata Archivists for a temporary (3 month), full-time position. They will help modernize, contextualise and expand our archival description workflows and advance our use of ArchivesSpace. Reporting to the Head of Archives and  the Lead Archivist for physical collections, they will collaborate with a team of experienced archivists to evaluate and improve our cataloguing and description practices. They will assist in the creation, updation, and management of metadata for all archival formats.

Key responsibilities include analyzing existing metadata for collections, figuring out what it needs, and developing archival metadata descriptions in collaboration with colleagues using systems such as ArchivesSpace.

The Metadata Specialist will be responsible for the description of archival materials for the collections in the following fields : 

Biological Sciences

Physics 

Mathematics

Feminist Science Studies

Ecology and Conservation

Candidates who have graduate level training in the subjects mentioned above will be preferred. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Creation, clean-up, quality control, and updation of metadata for archival collections related to the subjects. 

  • Create item-level metadata for collections as needed. This involves creation of archival descriptions and item-level metadata for a range of archival materials, including photographs and audiovisual materials.

  • Bring expert knowledge of their subject or field to analyse and make recommendations for creation of metadata to enable more robust access to archival material.

  • Apply best practices for inclusive and reparative description.

  • Strong ability to set priorities, manage and meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with colleagues.

  • Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and ability to work within a diverse staff and campus demographic.

 

Accessibility and Physical Demands

 

  • Include seated work with frequent use of a computer for extended periods. Required to handle delicate archival materials carefully and will have to lift and carry boxes up to 5 kilos. Includes prolonged periods of examining documents and repetitive data entry tasks.

  • Work conditions involve a climate-controlled, indoor environment to preserve materials. They may encounter dust and mold, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment like masks and gloves. 
     

Qualifications and skills

  • Graduate level training in any of the subjects mentioned in this call.

  • Any archival processing experience or prior experience using archives.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as critical thinking abilities.

  • Reading knowledge of one or more Indian languages (presently we have collections in Gujarati, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Urdu).

  • Understanding of, or interest in history of science in India.

 

Application Process:

(a) All interested applicants should apply by writing a statement of purpose and sending it to the archives email id with a copy of their CV.
(b) Shortlisted candidates will be required to fill a questionnaire.
(c) Those selected from this questionnaire will be asked to make time for a 45-minute interview slot (in person or online).
(d) Final short-listed candidates must provide names of two relevant referees who might be contacted as a final step in the process.

Contact: archives at ncbs dot res dot in; anjalir at ncbs dot res dot in