Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant

The British Library; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

Flexible working

25 days' holiday + 2.5 privilege days

Employee benefits information

Job summary

The British Library is seeking an Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant to join the Manuscripts team on a fixed-term 12-month contract. Based at St Pancras, you will catalogue pre-1600 manuscripts, enhance catalogue descriptions and contribute to digitisation projects while liaising with curatorial colleagues and engaging with readers through blogs and enquiries.

A postgraduate degree in medieval disciplines and strong palaeography skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent in medieval history, medieval art history, medieval literature or related discipline.
• Specialist knowledge and research experience relevant to the Library's pre-1600 manuscripts.
• Strong knowledge of medieval Latin.
• Excellent palaeographical and codicological skills.
• Ability to work independently and with colleagues to a high degree of accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Cataloguing the Library’s pre-1600 manuscripts and enhancing catalogue descriptions.
• Assist with digitisation projects.
• Liaise with curatorial colleagues to support interpretation and engage with users.
• Write blog posts and answer specialist enquiries.

Skills

Medieval Latin

Palaeography

Codicology

Research experience

Collaboration

Education

Postgraduate degree in medieval history / medieval art history / medieval literature

Job description

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Job profile for Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant

Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant

Job details

Contractual hours 36 Basis Full time

Job category/type Cataloguing & Metadata

Date posted 09/10/2026

Job reference R00001528

Attachments

• Job Profile R00001528 09102026.pdf
• External Candidate iTrent Application Guide.pdf
• Internal Candidate iTrent Application Guide.pdf

Job description

Location: St Pancras

Contract: Fixed term (12 months)

Hours: Full time (36 hours)

Grade: C

Salary: £31,244 per annum

This is the starting salary for this role, unless the successful candidate is able to evidence being in receipt of a higher salary, in which case this may be reviewed.

About the role

The British Library holds an internationally renowned collection of medieval and early modern manuscripts made in Britain and Europe before 1600. We are looking to recruit a Manuscripts Assistant to join the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts team on a fixed-term, 12-month basis. You will contribute to the activities of the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts section, including cataloguing the Library’s collection of pre-1600 manuscripts, enhancing existing catalogue descriptions, and assisting with digitisation projects. You will also liaise with curatorial colleagues to support interpretation of the collections and to engage with our users, including writing blog posts and answering specialist enquiries. To be successful in this role, you will have a postgraduate degree or its equivalent in medieval history, medieval art history, medieval literature or another closely related discipline. You will have specialist knowledge and research experience relevant to the British Library’s collection of western medieval manuscripts. You will have strong knowledge of medieval Latin, and excellent palaeographical and codicological skills. You will have the ability to work with colleagues in other areas, and the ability to work independently and to a high degree of accuracy. For more information, please refer to the Job Profile.

About us

We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.

What we can offer you

• Access to a defined-benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time.
• 25 days' holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
• Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits

Things you need to know

• We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check (DBS check).
• Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.
• We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. Creating an inclusive workplace is the core of our business and a way to engage the diversity of thought that is essential to achieve our aims.

Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 08 November 2026

If you have any questions, please contact: [e-mail]