The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are looking to hire a new member of staff to help co-ordinate and deliver the Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches Project.  

Working closely with Scotland’s Churches Trust, this role will collate country-wide information on both heritage and community value of Scotland’s churches. This will include collating existing information and where knowledge gaps are identified, co-ordinating heritage survey, and engaging community-representative groups to undertake community value assessment applying the University of Stirling’s Social Value Toolkit. It will also involve setting up and supporting a network of key stakeholders.  

Portnahaven Parish Church (Credit: Scotland’s Churches Trust)

Role: Research Officer – full-time, fixed term for two years. 

Salary: £29,200 per annum, with an additional 10% pension contribution.

Hours: 37.5 hours (five days) per week with flexible daytime working hours on Monday–Friday, and an occasional requirement to assist at evening or weekend events. 

Person specification: This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest and experience of working in the heritage sector. The ideal candidate will be familiar with church heritage and the community value of churches and religious buildings. They will have experience of recording heritage or developing research frameworks, including through the use of databases and websites to record and share information. They will be able to manage and prioritise a varied workload and be confident in working with a variety of stakeholders and community groups. 

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and believes that diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and encourage all interested individuals to apply. We are happy to explore different ways of working, secondments and alternative arrangements.  

Main Responsibilities 

• Support the Head of Research and respective Directors of Scotland’s Churches Trust and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in project delivery  

• Undertake a rapid needs assessment of Scotland’s church buildings, including both desk-based and proactive survey  

• Create and maintain a database to store and share information 

• Commission the creation of and maintain the project microsite, including adding regular work updates and project database  

• Work with at least five community groups to undertake heritage survey using the Recording Churches Project  

• Commission at least five community-representative organisations to undertake community value survey using the University of Stirling’s Social Value Toolkit methodology  

• Support the work of the Finding Futures Network as secretariat  

• Organise a symposium, workshops, and other project events as required  

• Provide updated information to any relevant stakeholder (for example, to create updates to the Canmore database or Local Authority Historic Environment Record) 

• Provide written reports and updates as required, and contribute to final project reporting  

Location: Hybrid working – all staff are expected to work from our office at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh at least twice per week (pro rata). Employees starting in a new role will be required to work from the office more regularly in the first instance. Please note that there are several flights of stairs up to the Society offices, although we are happy to explore different ways of working.

Additional benefits  

• 38 days annual leave (including bank holidays) pro rata

• 10% gross salary contributions to pension scheme

• Flexible working

• Remote working for up to three days (60%) a week possible

• Staff wellbeing benefits include 30 minutes per day for exercise

• Research leave  

Fowlis Easter Church (Credit: Scotland’s Churches Trust)

Further Information 

This post is a fixed-term two-year contract which may be extended subject to funding. There will be a short probationary period during which time your skills and suitability for the position will be assessed.  

For further information on the post please contact the Head of Research, Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot, at helen@socantscot.org. 

• Full job description

• More information on the Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches Project

How to apply: Submit a CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience, skills and knowledge meets the requirements (cover letter to be no more than two sides of A4) by the closing date to the Head of Research, Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot, at helen@socantscot.org.  

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in person in Edinburgh or online via Zoom on Wednesday 2 April 2025. Reasonable travel expenses can be claimed.

Applicants who are not shortlisted will be informed but no detailed feedback will be possible.  

Closing date: 11:59 PM, Wednesday 26 March 2025 

About the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland   

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is a heritage charity (SC010440) with global membership providing expertise, support and resources to enhance and promote the understanding and enjoyment of Scotland’s past. The Society has been around for over 240 years, with its first publication dating to 1792. 

About Scotland’s Churches Trust 

The Scotland’s Churches Trust is a built charity (SC0431054) that was formed in 2012, following the amalgamation of the Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust and Scotland’s Churches Scheme. It is dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of Scotland’s religious built heritage, in all its many forms. It provides support and advice to and advocacy on behalf of Scotland’s churches and seeks to ensure a sustainable future for these buildings while fostering a deeper public appreciation of their cultural significance. It also recently developed an award-winning rapid church recording methodology in response to the ongoing closure crisis.

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Finding Futures for Scotland’s Churches is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will provide a rapid assessment of the heritage assets of churches, prioritising those at risk of closure.  The project will create a comprehensive framework of information to help prioritise significant heritage at risk, and mobilise and support individuals, communities and organisations to find sustainable uses for Scotland’s church buildings.