Project Assistant

Experience Oxfordshire; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed museum organization in Kidlington is seeking a dedicated individual to handle, pack, and move museum collections safely. This full-time role emphasizes compliance with health and safety protocols and requires experience in managing complex objects. Candidates should have familiarity with documentation standards and possess the ability to manage a busy workload independently or in teams. The position offers benefits such as a robust pension scheme, generous annual leave, and support for professional development.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

38 days of annual leave

Comprehensive childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Qualifications

• Proven experience in packing and moving complex objects in a museum environment.
• Strong understanding of record keeping, data entry, and professional documentation standards.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Move museum objects and containers safely and efficiently.
• Pack, prepare, and freeze collections as necessary.
• Maintain accurate records of collection locations and handling.

Skills

Experience handling museum or historic collections

Understanding of health and safety protocols

Familiarity with catalogue databases

Education

Experience working in a museum or similar heritage site

Tools

Manual handling equipment

Own vehicle

Job description

The Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology, History of Science Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum currently have over 8.5 million objects with 7,000m2 of this collection stored across multiple locations in Oxfordshire, with the remainder being stored within the Museums.

The Museums’ Collection Storage Strategy is to house the majority of the off‑site collections in two purpose‑built Collections and Research Centres; the Collections, Teaching and Research Centre (CTRC) in Oxford, and the Collections Storage Facility (CSF), in Swindon. The GLAM Move Project is helping to deliver this storage strategy by preparing the museums’ collections and moving them to the new stores. The CTRC is due to open in 2026 and the CSF is due to be ready in 2027.

You will be required to work as part of a team to move museum objects and containers in a safe manner, pack, prepare and freeze collections where necessary and ensure records and locations are kept up to date. The role requires experience of handling and moving museum or historic collections with an understanding of standard requirements for record keeping and data entry. The post will be based primarily in museum and warehouse‑style stores across Oxfordshire and requires standing, regularly using stairs in order to access the collections, lifting objects and packed boxes of variable weights and sizes and using manual handling equipment including ladders, pallet trucks and stackers. The ability to drive a van would be an advantage, but this is not an essential part of the role.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term post until 31 December 2026.

About You

You will have experience working in a museum or similar heritage site, ideally within a conservation or collections department, with the ability to handle, pack, and move complex objects and delicate artefacts. A strong understanding of health and safety protocols and risks in a museum storage environment is essential. You will be familiar with catalogue databases, professional documentation standards, and have access to your own vehicle for travel between sites. Capable of managing a busy workload, you will work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

As an employer, the University of Oxford genuinely cares about employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that they offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits.

Diversity

The University of Oxford’s staff and students come from all over the world, and they proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family‑friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

The University of Oxford is committed to ensuring that the recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail].

How To Apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered.

The University of Oxford aims to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Rosie Hughes, Project Manager, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role ([e-mail]). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within the Human Resources department ([e-mail]).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 5 January 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 19 January 2026.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY