Film Conservator – Film Operations
Institution: British Film Institute (BFI)
Deadline: 19 January 2026
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Contract: Fixed-term (12 months)
Working hours: Part-time, 28.45 hours / 3.5 days per week
Salary: £32,268 – £34,131 per annum (pro-rated)
Job reference: REQ1459
Department: National Film Archive – Film Operations
The BFI’s National Film Archive in Berkhamsted is seeking a Film Conservator (Film Operations) to join the team on a part-time, fixed-term basis. The role focuses on the inspection, preparation, repair, documentation, and reference digitisation of film collection materials, working closely with Senior Conservators on selected projects to further develop professional skills and technical knowledge.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out film handling, inspection, condition checking, preparation, repair, documentation, and reference scanning to specified quality standards
- Record and directly input conservation data into the Axiell Collections database
- Assign and amend collections Item Object status, consulting Senior Film Conservators, Curatorial, and Collections Development colleagues when required
- Produce thorough and consistent conservation documentation in line with agreed standards
- Use Axiell Collections and Axiell Move to manage and update relationships between Item, Carrier, Container, and Location records
- Ensure appropriate barcoding and accurate tracking of collection items at all times
- Maintain high conservation standards in film handling, using available technology to improve inspection accuracy and efficiency
Person Specification
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience handling film collection materials of all gauges, gained in a film archive, laboratory, post-production facility, or similar organisation
- Experience identifying and carrying out conservation treatments across a range of historical film formats
- Film handling skills sufficient to safely examine, repair, and identify analogue heritage and master film copies
- Knowledge of archival and film production practices and techniques
- A strong understanding of the relationship between film elements and their physical characteristics
- Experience producing detailed technical documentation in collections databases and/or condition reports
