Curator, Rare Books

UOM University of Melbourne; Parkville; On-site; AUD 111,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Flexible work arrangements

Career development programs

Parental leave provisions

Health and theatre discounts

Job summary

The University of Melbourne in Parkville seeks a senior professional for the Archives and Special Collections team to oversee access, storage, and conservation of rare materials.

You will curate exhibitions, support educational programs, and contribute to digitisation and metadata initiatives, while collaborating with academics and donors in a leading research library environment.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in Museum or Curatorial Studies or equivalent experience with historical or cultural collections.
• Tertiary qualifications in humanities or Library Science or equivalent education and experience.
• Deep knowledge of rare books, manuscripts and print history, including collecting and publishing contexts.
• Experience curating exhibitions and access programs for diverse audiences.
• Proven skills in cataloguing, condition reporting, and safe handling of cultural heritage materials.
• Ability to collaborate with academics, donors and staff within large institutions.
• Engagement with emerging digital, metadata and learning technologies for discovery and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for physical access, storage, handling and loans of rare materials.
• Develop exhibitions and interpretive programs grounded in collection-based research.
• Design and deliver object-based learning and collection literacy programs in curriculum and e-learning contexts.
• Contribute to digitisation, catalogue enrichment and rights management for improved access.
• Advise on acquisitions, donations and deaccessions with proper documentation and governance.

Skills

Postgraduate qualifications

Exhibition curation

Cataloguing proficiency

Collection management systems

Digital metadata fluency

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in Museum/Curatorial Studies

Tertiary humanities or Library Science qualifications

Tools

Collection management systems

Job description

Position Overview

Position Number: JR-018643 Role type: Full-time; Continuing Location: Parkville. Department: Archives and Special Collections (Student and Scholarly Services). Salary: UOM 7: AUD $111,275 - $120,453 p.a. plus 17% super.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oversight for physical access, storage, handling, movement and loans, ensuring best practice care of rare materials.
• Develop exhibitions and interpretive programs, underpinned by collection-based research, to broaden discovery and engagement.
• Design and deliver object-based learning and collection literacy programs embedded within curriculum and e-learning environments.
• Contribute to digitisation, catalogue enrichment and rights management to improve discovery and responsible access to materials.
• Advise on acquisitions, donations and deaccessions, ensuring compliant trust fund use and robust collection documentation.

Key Qualifications

• Hold postgraduate qualifications in Museum or Curatorial Studies, or equivalent experience with historical or cultural collections.
• Possess tertiary qualifications in humanities or Library Science, or an equivalent blend of education and experience.
• Bring deep knowledge of rare and antiquarian books, manuscripts and print history, including collecting and publishing contexts.
• Demonstrate experience curating exhibitions and access programs, and interpreting complex material for diverse and non-specialist audiences.
• Apply advanced skills in cataloguing, condition reporting, collection management systems and safe handling of cultural heritage materials.
• Collaborate confidently with academics, donors, booksellers and professional staff within large, multifaceted institutions or libraries.
• Embrace emerging digital, metadata and learning technologies to enhance collection discovery, teaching integration and online engagement.

What We Offer

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation.
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning.
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave, cultural leave, and menstruation and menopause leave.
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company.
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program.
• We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment.

Team & Culture

You will join Archives and Special Collections, a specialist department within Student and Scholarly Services. The team develops, cares for and shares outstanding archives and special collections for teaching, learning and research. You will work with collegial experts who value collaboration, innovation, service excellence and inclusive, community-focused engagement.

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research.

Diversity & Inclusion

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities.

We are committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants: We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [e-mail].

Eligibility and Legal Requirements

You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.

Application Deadline

Applications close: Monday 26th October at 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.

Contact Information

For queries related to this specific position, contact Jon Buckingham via [e-mail]. For questions related to our recruitment process email Tien Nguyen at [e-mail]. For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on [phone] or at [e-mail] (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').