Job Summary
This role is based at the Digital Humanities Lab, working as a member of the multidisciplinary Digital Humanities team. You will be supporting teaching and research across Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences subject areas. As the Digital Humanities Assistant Technician, you will be working on a wide range of Lab projects using photographic and audio-visual equipment in the Lab spaces to undertake practical digitisation work. In addition to your technical duties, you will provide some administrative support for research bids and lab events and bookings, including the preparation and use of lab spaces and the Digital Humanities Seminar Room and dealing with enquiries via email and in person.
This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers full time hours (36.5 per week) from September 2026 to July 2028.
Key Dates
Closing Date: 4th June 2026
Interview Date: 17th June 2026
Role Start Date: 1st September 2026
Role End Date: 28th July 2028
Starting Salary: £28,029 per annum
Purpose of the Role
The Digital Humanities Assistant Technician will work as part of the team based in the Digital Humanities Lab, Queen's Building. You will work primarily with the Lab Manager and the undergraduate intern team supporting the day-to-day operation of the Digital Humanities Lab to provide welcoming, responsive and efficient customer service across all areas of Lab operations. In addition, you will work on a range of practical projects supporting research and teaching across the HASS faculty. There will be comprehensive training using a range of techniques such as photogrammetry, RTI and audio and video editing to enable the successful candidate to deliver technical support across our Lab and teaching spaces. You will gain significant experience in assisting with the organisation of a range of bookings, whilst assisting the Lab Manager in the preparation of lab events such as research seminars, conferences, training and workshops.
Duties and Responsibilities
This role will support the preparation and use of lab spaces and digitisation projects at the Digital Humanities Lab, working with our staff, students and partners. This may involve:
- Day-to-day maintenance and preparation of Digital Humanities Lab spaces and equipment according to the DH Lab guides
- Supporting bookings for the DH Seminar Room including set up of the videowall
- Undertaking a range of high-quality digitisation services which may include archival material, objects and analogue and digital media
- Setting up and operating a range of high-end photographic equipment
- Support for the operation of photographic, technical and audio-visual equipment
- Responsibility for the receipt, logging, handling and monitoring of archival material on site for digitisation by our intern team, including adherence to existing lab workflows and assisting with the design of new processes
- Supporting the Lab Manager and other members of the DH team to undertake Digital Humanities project work, including on funded research projects, both within the lab and on location
- Assisting the Lab Manager and other members of the DH team in the organisation and delivery of training and events
- Working with users of the Lab to provide advice for the use of loan equipment and media
Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?
Specialist Technical Skills:
You will gain hands-on experience in photography and digitisation techniques, learning to preserve and digitise media, using industry standard photographic and audio-visual equipment as well as opportunities for 3D design and 3D printing.
Research and Project Management:
By providing administrative support for research bids, you will gain insight into the lifecycle of academic funding, including document coordination and the logistical requirements of large-scale DH projects.
Project Lifecycles:
Beyond day-to-day support, you will have the opportunity to contribute to specific Lab projects, allowing you to see a digitisation project through from initial enquiry to final digital output.
Career Progression:
This role provides a foundation for a career in Heritage, Archives and Records Management, or Research Administration, offering a blend of technical expertise and professional office experience.
You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in:
- Safeguarding on our Campuses
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Health and Safety Introduction
- Information Governance and Security
Support Available
- As you will be working alongside the existing Lab Manager, you will be effectively mentored, and supported by regular meetings to discuss upcoming projects and your development.
- New skills will be supported by on-the-job training and shadowing.
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
The Benefits
You will have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including:
- Generous pension
- A holiday allowance of 39 days per year
- Totum Card (student discount)
- Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centre’s.
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
- All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.
- You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.
- You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.
- You will be invited to quarterly networking and professional development events through ‘The Graduate Network’.
About You (Person Specification)
Degree and Attainment
- Degree qualification from a UK university in a humanities, arts or social sciences related subject
- Graduated (UG or PG) from a UK based university within the last 3 years
Skills
- Interest or experience in photography and/or audio visual including recording and editing
- Ability to work in an organised manner
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of users
- Ability to work independently when required
- Confident user of Microsoft Office 365 software
Personal Qualities and Attributes
- Interest or experience in the development and use of technology for Humanities, Arts or Social Science subjects
- Interest or experience in developing your own personal skills around digital methods, photography or programming
- Keen attention to detail and accuracy in following processes and instructions
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
- Ability to problem solve creatively within a supportive team
Knowledge
- An interest or knowledge of photographic equipment and methods
- An interest or knowledge of digital media production
- Understanding of cataloguing and referencing in a library or archival environment
- Customer service experience
Prior Experience
- Experience of teamwork and collaboration
- Experience of digital photography and/or audio visual techniques
- Experience of working with a range of equipment and media
- Confident with a range of social media platforms
You must have valid right-to-work documents with you for verification if appointed, copies are not accepted. See here for a full list of acceptable documents to confirm your right to work in the UK.
About the University Department/Organisation
In the Digital Humanities Lab, we are a friendly and supportive team who work together to integrate digital methods and practices into the heart of HASS research. We are excited by the interdisciplinary opportunities and diverse new fields of study opened up by digital research, and we host an expanding range of projects in this specialism. The DH Lab is a specialist research facility offering full-lifecycle project development and lab equipment for research and teaching. The DH Lab team are experts in the digital preservation, analysis and display of cultural heritage materials, text and objects and work with a range of partners to support this.
Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements
- To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be nearing completion of your final year at any UK-based university.
- If you are nearing completion of your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
- If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
- You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
- The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity.
- We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion)
- Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here
- At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment. Examples of suitable evidence can be found here. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa.
- All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.
Application Tips
- Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.
- You can use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.
- The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria.
- Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.
- You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.
Further Guidance and Support
- (Exeter graduates only) Job application and interview resources can be found on the Career Zone webpages.
- (Exeter graduates only) If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment through the Career Zone.
- Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid.
- It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.
- If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at [email protected]
The Graduate Business Partnership scheme supports final year students and recent graduates to launch their careers at the University of Exeter and with recommended employers in the southwest.
- GBP roles provide graduate-level employment.
- Build experience and develop your skills in a supportive environment.
The GBP scheme is open to everyone who has graduated from a UK-based university in the last 3 years. If you are an international student, you can also apply for GBP roles if you have a Graduate Visa.
You can find out more about the Graduate Business Partnership scheme here.
