Principal Library Assistant: Academic Services

The University of London

The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions. The University is also home to the School of Advanced Study, which has a national role in championing research, teaching and public engagement in the humanities and social sciences. Through its institutes, libraries, special collections and archives, and the University of London Press, it fosters communities of researchers, scholars and practitioners who are change-makers and committed to making a difference in people’s lives.

The School's mission is to be a powerful agent of and for change across disciplines and borders, nurturing research, scholarship, and practice that are innovative, inclusive and impactful. Its vision is of a world where knowledge and understanding, rooted in the humanities and social sciences and enriched by related disciplines, enable people and societies to flourish.

Since 1858, the University of London has expanded access to world-class higher education. Today, around 40,000 students in more than 190 countries are part of our global learning community. Across the wider federation, more than 250,000 learners and 50,000 staff collaborate to deliver high-quality research and education across all disciplines.

By working together across the federation, we extend the benefits of outstanding education, research and resources to learners and researchers across the UK and around the world.

The Role

The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library has a central role in legal research provision in the UK and houses collections of national and international importance. The Library serves academic and professional lawyers and postgraduate law students in the UK and internationally.

A dynamic senior library assistant is required to work as part of the Academic Services department. This friendly team is dedicated to supporting and promoting use of the legal research facilities of the Institute Library.

The post is vital to the day to day running of the team, managing inter-library loans and enquiry desk services, assisting the Academic Services manager with commercial services, being the first point of contact for students with special needs, and participating in the work of the academic services team by producing subject guides and delivering library training sessions. The successful candidate will also work on the busy issue/enquiry and reference desks. It offers an excellent opportunity for a graduate with a library qualification or substantial background in libraries to gain experience of student facing services and supervising a member of staff, and to develop their skills in enquiry work. An effective team worker is required with good communication and IT skills and the ability to pay attention to detail and to work accurately. Some knowledge of legal materials and a European language is desirable but not essential.

The post is a Full-Time, 12-month FTC, and will start as soon as possible.

For a full role profile, please refer to the job description below.

Further Information

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your application form (by clicking ‘apply for job’ at the bottom of this page) before the closing date at midnight on Wednesday the 27^th of May 2026.

If you are interested in pursuing this as a secondment opportunity, you must discuss this with your current line manager before submitting an application.

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