Archives Assistant - 2 posts

About the role

The Archives and Modern Manuscripts section is part of the department of Special Collections within the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford. We are currently looking for two Archives Assistants to join the team.

The main purpose of this role is to provide support for the administration, arrangement and description of the Libraries' Archives and Modern Manuscripts as part of a team of collections support staff. One of these roles will focus particularly on the archive of the Conservative Party.

There are two positions available:

• Archives Assistant – full-time (36.5 hours per week), permanent
• Archives Assistant (Archive of the Conservative Party) – full-time (36.5 hours per week), fixed-term for four years

Job Descriptions for both can be found below. Please indicate your preference of either or both roles on the supporting evidence form attached.

A considerable part of your work will take place in collection storage areas and involves lifting and moving collection material, by hand and using trolleys, kickstools and lifts and working with allergens, for example reporting outbreaks of mould spores. You will also undertake archive preservation tasks, such as repackaging (including measuring for custom boxes and making up flat pack archive boxes), barcoding, labelling, removal of harmful fasteners and create, update and maintain accurate collection inventories and collections metadata. Driving on University business and some lone working may be required.

Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) due to work involving handling highly valuable items. This position will also be subject to a satisfactory driving licence check.

About You

You will have a good general level of education. The ability to work with care, accuracy and attention to detail is important, as is being able to organise work effectively, manage priorities and meet deadlines. You will possess good all-round IT skills, including experience of working with spreadsheets or databases and other Microsoft, or equivalent, applications. The ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential. You will be able to lift, carry and move collection material safely.

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Tuesday 24 June 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on either Wednesday 16 or Thursday 17 July 2025.

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