Graduate Trainee Librarian

36.25 hours per week

Magdalene is one of the older and smaller Cambridge colleges (c.350 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates) but still covers the full tripos (all academic subjects). The department includes the award-winning New Library which opened in 2022 and also houses the Archive and a Gallery, as well as the College’s historic Old Library and the Pepys Library. 

The Graduate Trainee Librarian will join a small friendly team in the College Library. This is a fixed-term post, lasting one year, which offers the opportunity to gain experience of working in an academic library and it is an entry level role into the career of librarianship (or related information services). As this is a training post it is aimed at people who are seeking to gain experience in the profession and who are considering a career in library and information services, rather than those who already have extensive library experience or a library qualification. 

The trainee will mainly provide assistance in a range of day-to-day tasks and project work in the College Library and will make an important contribution to the ongoing work of the library and its development. To gain broader experience, there will also be opportunities to contribute to routine and project work in the College’s historic libraries and Archive, and a chance to develop a trainee project tailored to the individual’s interests. There will also be dedicated time for professional development as part of the Cambridge Libraries trainee group. 

The position is full-time, 36.25 hours a week, and attracts a salary of £24,149 per annum (with cost of living rise tbc) and excellent benefits including:

• contributory pension scheme
• free lunch when in college
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• the use of sports facilities  

To see a full job description and application form please visit graduate_trainee_librarian_candidate_information_pack_may_2026.pdf

To apply please complete the application forms and return them to the HR department. CVs, Cover letters or any additional documentation will not be accepted.

Closing date: 12pm midday, Friday 12^th June 2026

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Monday 29^th June 2026.

Please note - all application forms received by the closing date will be reviewed but applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Guidance for applicants:

• Please download and complete both application forms (below) and return to hr@magd.cam.ac.uk via the above 'Apply button. If you prefer to submit a hard copy our postal address is: HR Department, Magdalene College, Magdalene Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AG.
• Please fill in all the sections of the application forms, there is no need to add a CV or Cover Letter.
• A document with additional tips for writing an application can be found below.
• You are welcome to contact us before applying if you have further enquiries. We would recommend emailing in the first instance, either the line manager Ms Lauran Richards lr463@cam.ac.uk or the HR team hr@magd.cam.ac.uk
• Please note - all application forms received by the closing date will be reviewed but applications submitted after this date/time will not be considered.

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