Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant

National Museums; Camden Town; Remote; GBP 31,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

British Library is seeking a Manuscripts Assistant for the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts team on a fixed-term 12-month basis. The role involves cataloguing pre-1600 manuscripts, enhancing catalogue descriptions, and assisting with digitisation projects at St Pancras.

The successful candidate will have a postgraduate degree in medieval studies and strong palaeographical and codicological skills, with the ability to work independently and accurately.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent in medieval history/arts/literature or related discipline.
• Specialist knowledge and research experience relevant to western medieval manuscripts.

Responsibilities

• Catalogue the Library's pre-1600 manuscripts.
• Enhance existing catalogue descriptions and assist with digitisation projects.
• Liaise with curatorial colleagues to support interpretation of the collections and engage with users.

Skills

Medieval Latin

Palaeography

Codicology

Education

Postgraduate degree in medieval history/medieval art history/medieval literature or related discipline

Job description

Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern Manuscripts Assistant

Location: St Pancras
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: C
Salary: £31,244 per annum

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.

Requirements

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.

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.

Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 08 November 2026

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

National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, WilliamBrown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN