Special Collections & Archives Assistant

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University invites applications for a Special Collections Assistant. You will deliver customer-focused reader and enquiry services and assist with care, development and digitisation of rare books, archives and related materials.

Join a small, dedicated team in Library & Cultural Services, supporting teaching, exhibitions and events, while promoting access and engaging with diverse audiences on campus. Closing date 18 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with collections and/or archives in a museum, gallery or educational setting.
• Is passionate and curious about collections and their potential in Higher Education.
• Well organised, highly motivated and a brilliant communicator.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality customer service for Special Collections users and enquiries.
• Retrieve, handle and care for rare books, archives and other special collections material.
• Support the cataloguing, documentation and processing of collections.
• Assist with digitisation, metadata creation and copyright-related activities.
• Contribute to preservation, storage and environmental monitoring of collections.
• Support delivery of teaching sessions, exhibitions, events and reading room services.
• Undertake administrative tasks, data collection and reporting to support service delivery.
• Promote Special Collections through outreach, engagement and communications activities.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Job description

Manchester Metropolitan University invites applications for a Special Collections Assistant. You will deliver customer-focused reader and enquiry services and assist with care, development and digitisation of rare books, archives and related materials.

Join a small, dedicated team in Library & Cultural Services, supporting teaching, exhibitions and events, while promoting access and engaging with diverse audiences on campus. Closing date 18 October 2026.