Project Collections Photographer (How-to Books)

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 28,000 - GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution in Glasgow seeks a professional to oversee photographic services for the digitisation of unique collections. Candidates should possess strong technical expertise in photography and editing software, along with effective planning and relationship-building skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and ample benefits, including generous leave and support for health and wellbeing. Ideal for individuals with a passion for heritage collections and a commitment to technical excellence.

Benefits

41 days of leave

Pension plan

Flexible working hours

Free 6-month sports membership

Qualifications

• Demonstrated competencies in a similar role, or qualifications in a relevant field.
• Specialist knowledge in digitisation.
• Practical experience of photography and digitisation.
• Experience working in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide photographic services for digitisation of collections.
• Manage digital images according to standards.
• Deliver technical help in collections photography.
• Plan project photography and digitisation activities.
• Maintain Photographic Unit equipment.
• Support wider photographic activities.

Skills

Technical expertise in studio photography

Professional image-editing skills

Effective planning and organisation

Attention to detail

Communication and relationship building

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to work independently and in a team

Effective IT skills

Manual handling skills

Education

Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

DSLR and mirrorless camera systems

Medium-format tethered-capture software

Job description

Please note, this vacancy is open to current University of Glasgow employees only

Job Purpose

To provide a range of photographic services enabling the digitisation of the University’s unique and distinctive collections for prioritised projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Using professional expertise, undertake the timely photography and digitisation of unique, often fragile, 2D and 3D collections items. Manage the resultant digital images in line with agreed standards using specialist knowledge of multi-platform image management software.
• Investigate and devise technical solutions to deliver specialist technical help and advice in the field of collections photography to project colleagues and partners, liaising with Photographic Unit colleagues and line manager as appropriate.
• Undertake detailed planning for project photography and digitisation activities, alongside daily and weekly workload planning, progress monitoring, and reporting in line with departmental routines.
• Ensure delivery of digital images to project partners in line with agreed methods, and appropriate management within local systems and infrastructure (shared drives, digital asset management systems, etc) in line with local procedures.
• Where appropriate, contribute to wider project update, monitoring, and reporting activities; including attending progress meetings, providing relevant reports and statistics, and attending project events.
• Maintain relevant Photographic Unit equipment, providing feedback and advice to support the development of new techniques, systems and infrastructure.
• Support wider Photographic Unit activities, assisting with ad-hoc collections photography and creative photography activities where this is required.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role, OR, Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish Vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
• A2 Specialist technical knowledge in digitisation.

Desirable:

• B1 Detailed technical knowledge of equipment, techniques, multiple software applications and commercial practices relating to digitisation and photography.
• B2 Knowledge of unique and distinctive collections or heritage collections photography.

Skills

Essential:

• C1 A high level of technical expertise in studio photography and professional image-editing software including Adobe Creative Cloud (Bridge, Lightroom, Photoshop); DSLR and mirrorless camera systems; and medium-format tethered-capture software or industry equivalents.
• C2 Effective planning, organisation and prioritisation of own workload to enable completion of activities in line with expectations.
• C3 Excellent attention to detail ensuring compliance with specialist technical standards.
• C4 Ability to communicate effectively and to build good working relationships.
• C5 Well-developed analytical skills and capacity for problem-solving to identify and resolve issues posed by photography of complex objects.
• C6 Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• C7 Effective IT skills across Mac and Windows environments.
• C8 Excellent manual handling skills enabling safe use of technical equipment and handling of unique and distinctive library collections.

Desirable:

• D1 Ability to understand and interpret the complex specialised requirements of project partners.
• D2 Ability to support colleagues and others through the development and demonstration of techniques.
• D3 Ability to advise on resources required to complete complex jobs with reference to set guidelines.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Relevant practical experience of photography and digitisation.
• E2 Experience of working in a team environment.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of working in an archives, gallery, library or museum environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 6 months from start date.

Closing date: 23rd February 2026

Benefits and Additional Information

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
• A flexible approach to working.
• A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.