Creative Industries Researcher at V&A

Organisation: Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Location: London, UK
Salary: £35,561 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed-term, starting December 2026
Hours: Flexible, 3–5 days per week; 60% on-site at V&A South Kensington
Application deadline: 18 October 2026

The V&A is seeking to appoint an experienced researcher with demonstrable expertise in understanding and engaging with the UK’s Creative Industries.

This is a fixed-term appointment based in the V&A Research Institute and reporting to the Creative Industries Programme Board. The role will have two key areas of focus: building the evidence base and creating replicable models to gather qualitative data, and scoping V&A areas of strength for future applications to research funders, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The V&A’s new strategy outlines its commitment to the creative industries, with two key aims: supporting the next generation of creators and makers, and understanding and strengthening its impact and offer for creatives.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with different teams across the V&A, focusing on two areas:

Building the evidence base

• Conduct scoping interviews with V&A staff members and external creatives to explore the V&A’s impact and the ways in which creatives engage with the museum.
• Collaborate with an external partner to determine the right data to collect and the best methodology to understand the V&A’s impact on the Creative Industries.
• Collect data demonstrating the V&A’s impact, including oral history interviews with staff members and creatives at different career stages.
• Develop processes for collecting data on an ongoing basis, such as through PhD placement researchers.

Research mapping and scoping

• Work with V&A and external academic stakeholders to host two workshops identifying key areas to prioritise for future research funding applications.
• Identify research questions rooted in V&A sites, collections and expertise where the museum is uniquely placed to contribute to Creative Industries research.
• Map research funders’ current and emerging priority areas relating to the Creative Industries.
• Identify key individuals within the V&A and external collaborators who could act as project leads for funding applications.

Requirements

The V&A is looking for candidates with:

• Significant experience working with or researching the Creative Industries or creative professionals.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of current and emerging research funding priorities for the Creative Industries.
• Ability to synthesise complex data into clear, compelling insights to influence senior stakeholders and strategic direction.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to work independently and deliver at pace within a fixed-term role.
• Experience delivering impact reports and/or evaluation studies for funders, policymakers or cultural institutions, and collaborating with university partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present and build credibility with colleagues and external parties.
• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues across different specialisms and areas of experience.
• Strong IT, practical and organisational skills, including attention to detail and record-keeping.

Working arrangements and benefits

The role is based at V&A South Kensington, with flexible working hours of 3–5 days per week. The successful candidate is expected to spend 60% of their working time on site.

The contract is fixed-term, with its duration dependent on the number of working days agreed.

Benefits include:

• 29 days of annual leave plus public holidays, pro rata for part-time employees
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution
• Life assurance of four times annual salary
• Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and parental leave
• Interest-free loans for travel to work and rental deposits
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets to V&A exhibitions and free entry to many other major museums
• Discounts at V&A shops and cafés

Application process

The application deadline is 18 October 2026, with interviews and assessments scheduled for 3 November 2026.

The anticipated start date is the week commencing 7 December 2026.

The V&A operates anonymous shortlisting, meaning hiring managers cannot see applicants’ names, contact information or equality data during the initial selection process.

As a Disability Confident Employer, the V&A guarantees interviews to applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role.