Senior Library Assistant

Cambridge University Libraries and Archives (CULA) is one of the world's best research libraries. Its expanding Korean collection plays a vital role in supporting teaching, learning, and research across the collegiate University, both nationally and internationally. (https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/korean-collections).

Cambridge University Libraries and Archives wish to appoint a Senior Library Assistant to support the maintenance and development of the University Library's Korean collection.

About the Role

You will play an important role in maintaining and developing the Korean academic book and journal collection at the University Library. Working closely with the Library's Korean collections, you will be responsible for selecting, ordering, and cataloguing Korean books and digital resources, as well as processing new acquisitions. The role will also include supporting daily operational tasks such as dealing with post, reshelving, and shelf tidying. 

This is a full-time, permanent position. The role is predominantly in-person, and you will be expected to work on site. 

As Senior Library Assistant you will

• Maintain and develop the Korean academic book and journal collection at the University Library.
• Be responsible for selecting, ordering, and cataloguing Korean books and digital resources.
• Assist library users, visitors, and Library colleagues by fetching requested materials and responding to general enquiries.
• Support events, manage tours and visits.

What you will need

• Higher-advanced proficiency in the Korean language.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong IT skills.
• Effective time management and organisational abilities, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Experience delivering customer-facing services, preferably in a library setting.
• Work effectively under pressure, independently and in a team.

What we offer

• Flexible opportunities such as part-time hours.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Exceptional parental leave (including maternity, paternity / co-parent, adoption and shared parental leave).
• Discounts on major retailers.
• Professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and access to a variety of training courses.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

In applications, we advise you to state clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Jiyeon Wood, Head of Japanese and Korean section, at jw2410@cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 February 2026 with interviews expected to take place w/c 9 March 2026.

Please quote reference VE48736 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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