Collections Assistant

Are you interested in helping people discover and use remarkable historic collections at the University of Manchester Library? Join our Special Collections team as a Collections Assistant and help us care for and widen access to rare books, manuscripts, archives, maps and visual materials.

You will contribute to a wide range of activities, from cataloguing, accessioning and preservation activities to supporting researchers, teaching sessions, exhibitions and public engagement. We are looking for a practical and adaptable team member with relevant Special Collections experience, strong attention to detail and enthusiasm for making Special Collections accessible to a wide range of audiences.

The University of Manchester Library is one of only five National Research Libraries and the third largest academic library in the UK. Our vast and rich collections (both print and increasingly digital) help us to deliver a world-class library and information service for the University of Manchester. While our primary objective is to meet the learning, research and teaching needs of University members, we are also fully committed to widening access to our services to individual researchers, local schools and others in the regional community.  

The UML’s Special Collections are among the richest holdings of rare books, manuscripts, archives, maps and visual collections in the world. They span five millennia and include virtual every medium ever used for written communications, from cuneiform clay tablets to email archives. The collections are a superb resource for research, teaching and learning and the Library has a vibrant academic engagement programme.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to [email removed].

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Clare Baker

Email: [email removed]

General enquiries:

Email: [email removed]

Technical support:

Jobtrain: [phone removed] https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.