Project Curator (Cataloguing Lead)

SOAS University of London; London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

SOAS University of London seeks a Project Curator (Cataloguing Lead) to oversee the cataloguing process of a digitisation project involving rare books and manuscripts. This role includes managing cataloguers and ensuring quality control, contributing to one of Europe's leading academic libraries focused on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Benefits

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Flexible Working Arrangements

Generous occupational pension scheme

Learning and Development opportunities

Health and well-being initiatives

Enhanced Family Leave

Qualifications

• Experience cataloguing rare books, manuscripts, or archival materials.
• Experience managing cataloguing components of digitisation projects.
• Familiarity with copyright and intellectual property issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cataloguing strand of a major digitisation project.
• Manage a team of cataloguers ensuring adherence to standards.
• Develop and refine cataloguing workflows.

Skills

Knowledge of cataloguing standards including MARC, RDA, DCRM(B)

Attention to detail

Problem-solving approach

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Library or Information Science

Tools

Library management systems (OCLC WorldShare)

Job description

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SOAS University of London provided pay range

This range is provided by SOAS University of London. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Job title: Project Curator (Cataloguing Lead)

Department: Library

Contract Type: Fixed-term to June 2026, with the possibility to extend

Grade: 7

Salary: £42217.29 to £49381.29 per annum including London Allowance

Location: Bloomsbury, London

Hours: Full time

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About The Role

Reporting to the Project Lead, you will lead the cataloguing strand of a major digitisation project focused on SOAS Library’s rare books and manuscript collections. You will play an active role in cataloguing, contributing directly to the creation of high-quality metadata. In addition, you will manage a team of cataloguers, ensuring that all outputs adhere to international standards such as DCRM(B), MARC, and RDA. You will be responsible for developing and refining cataloguing workflows, implementing quality control procedures, and maintaining clear documentation to support project delivery. You will also collaborate with colleagues in conservation, imaging, and Special Collections to ensure effective coordination across all phases of the project.

About The Department

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Library attracts scholars from all over the world to consult its holdings and further their research. The Library houses over 1.3 million volumes at the SOAS campus at Russell Square in central London, together with a major collection of archives, manuscripts, rare books, an expanding Digital Library, 500 art objects (including a manual handling collection) and a growing network of electronic resources.

This role will work with Library teams, including Special Collections, Collections Care and the Digitisation Centre to deliver a large-scale digitisation project drawing on material from SOAS Library’s archives and special collections.

About You

• Strong knowledge of cataloguing standards including MARC, RDA, and DCRM(B)
• Experience cataloguing rare books, manuscripts, or archival materials in a research library setting
• Experience contributing to or managing cataloguing components of digitisation projects
• Familiarity with copyright and intellectual property issues in a library context
• Experience using library management systems such as OCLC WorldShare
• High attention to detail and commitment to metadata accuracy and consistency
• Ability to develop documentation and guidelines to support team performance
• A proactive, problem-solving approach to improving cataloguing processes
• A postgraduate qualification in Library or Information Science, or equivalent experience

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website.

What We Offer

We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Holiday Entitlement: Benefit from 44 days of holiday (30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 6 closure days over Christmas and Easter) to ensure ample time for rest and relaxation.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognise the importance of flexibility and offer options to help you manage your professional and personal commitments effectively.
• Generous occupational pension scheme: To provide financial security for your future
• Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth and development and offer diverse learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Health and Well-being Initiatives: Take advantage of our cycle to work scheme, eye tests, and season ticket loan to support your health and mobility.
• Enhanced Family Leave: We offer enhanced maternity, paternity & partner leave, and shared parental leave to support you during significant life events.

All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.

Closing date: 29 June 2025

Interviews to be held: Week commencing 7 July 2025

Use of AI

While AI tools can be beneficial, we value the personal touch and authenticity in job applications. We encourage you to highlight your unique experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, ensuring all information is accurate. Please use AI tools responsibly and with integrity throughout the application and selection process.

Further information

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS

For information on how and why SOAS processes personal data about its job applicants, please read our Job Applicant Notice.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Higher Education

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