Archive and Digitisation Assistant

Dunhillmedical; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking an Archive and Digitisation Assistant for the Library's Special Collections, Heritage, and Archives team. This one-year post supports a Digital Scholarship Suite project enabled by a legacy gift from Eric Pattison, and aims to develop practical archive and digitisation skills.

The role assists the Digitisation Officer and Project Archivist with metadata creation, digitisation of various formats, basic preservation, and digital asset management workflows,

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for working with archive and library collections.
• Proven ability to work accurately and methodically.
• Familiarity with library/archives collections management systems.
• Awareness of archival arrangement and description.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Project Archivist and Digitisation Officer.
• Creation of basic metadata, transferring information from legacy finding aids to import spreadsheets.
• Carrying out digitisation of a variety of formats, including creating essential descriptive and technical metadata.
• Basic preservation work such as re-housing material into archival grade enclosures.
• Uploading digital content and metadata to online catalogues and digital asset management systems following established procedures.
• Preparing, sorting, and packaging material for outsourced digitisation and checking material that has been returned.
• Assisting with the sorting and listing of uncatalogued collections.
• Supervising the work of volunteers and student placements.
• Other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Skills

Attention to detail

Work independently

Team collaboration

Digitisation knowledge

Education

Degree in arts or humanities

Tools

DAM systems

Job description

Job Title: Archive and Digitisation Assistant

Posting Start Date: 16/10/2026

Job Id: 3216

School/Department: Library

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Closing Date: 05/11/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The primary objective of this post is to make more of our collections accessible to a wider audience.This one-year post in the Special Collections, Heritage, and Archives team supports a project to develop a Digital Scholarship Suite and related services. The project has been enabled by a generous legacy gift left by Eric Pattison, an Alumnus of the School of English at the University of Sheffield. The Archive and Digitisation Assistant will assist both the Digitisation Officer and Project Archivist in their work to enable greater access to our unique and distinctive collections. The successful candidate should have, or demonstrate the ability to develop, a range of archive and technical skills. The role might suit someone who wishes to gain more practical experience prior to undertaking a postgraduate qualification in archives management.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Supporting the Project Archivist and Digitisation Officer
• Creation of basic metadata, transferring information from legacy finding aids to import spreadsheets
• Carrying out digitisation of a variety of formats, including creating essential descriptive and technical metadata
• Basic preservation work such as re-housing material into archival grade enclosures
• Uploading digital content and metadata to online catalogues and digital asset management systems following established procedures
• Preparing, sorting, and packaging material for outsourced digitisation and checking material that has been returned
• Assisting with the sorting and listing of uncatalogued collections
• Supervising the work of volunteers and student placements
• Other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Criteria

Enthusiasm for working with archive and library collections

Application/interview

Paid or voluntary experience of working in a library and/or archives environment and familiarity with a library/archives collections management system.

Application/interview

Basic knowledge of the principles of archival arrangement and description

Application/interview/task

Awareness of the functionality of Digital Asset Management systems and the use of digital collections in education and research

Application/Interview

Proven ability to work accurately and methodically, showing attention to detail.

Application/interview

Capable of working effectively both unsupervised and collaboratively, applying effective prioritisation skills to manage workflows and meet deadlines.

Application/interview

Ability to handle fragile material with due care of its preservation and security.

Application/interview

Application/interview

Experience of undertaking digitising work and understanding of related standards

Application/interview/task

Degree or equivalent in an arts or humanities subject

For informal enquiries about this job contact Mariam Yamin, Senior Archivist : on [e-mail] or on 0114 222 7236

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will take place after the closing date.This will consist of a tour of the department, followed by an interview and a short practical task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 3 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
[phone]