Special Collections Assistant

Eurobioimaging; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

The University Library's Heritage Collections is seeking a part-time Special Collections Assistant to support administration, assist internal and external users, and help manage reading room operations.

Based in Exeter, the role offers a permanent position with a salary of £28,209 per annum pro rata on Grade C, reflecting knowledge, skills and experience. Training will be provided to support duties across collections and outreach activities.

Qualifications

• Experience in a heritage environment is desirable but not essential.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work across teams and manage workload.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the public reading room and assist visitors.
• Retrieve and re-shelve collections.
• Answer enquiries and maintain statistics.
• Support ordering and seminars/outreach events.

Skills

Administrative skills

Time management

Customer service

Job description

About The Role

Special Collections Assistant

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

This part-time post is available from 01/09/2026 on a permanent basis.

Salary will be £28,209 per annum pro rata on Grade C subject to knowledge, skills and experience.

Based in the University Library's Heritage Collections, the Special Collections team manages over 500 archive collections and c.50,000 rare books which are used by researchers from all over the world, alongside members of the public, as well as in regular teaching and research on campus. The service holds major international collections relating to the Middle East & North African region alongside substantial South-West literature and drama collections.

The Special Collections Assistant is a vital part of this team, supporting the administration of the service and providing advice and assistance to internal and external users. Routine tasks include overseeing the public reading room, retrieving and re-shelving collections, answering enquiries, maintaining statistics, undertaking ordering, and supporting seminars and outreach events.

About You

This role would suit a well-organised individual with excellent administrative, time-management and customer service skills. You will be able to manage your own workload, work effectively across teams, and communicate professionally with a wide range of service users. Experience in a heritage environment is desirable but not essential, as training will be provided.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Further Information

Please contact Annie Price on 01392722097 or email [e-mail]

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice.

We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities.

Our inclusive, merit-based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Why our colleagues love working here

• Flexible working opportunities and leading parental leave initiatives
• Generous annual leave (39-41 days including bank holidays)
• Competitive pension contributions
• A genuine dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of all colleagues - see initiatives here
• Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do

How we can help

If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for university sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. If you are a migrant worker, you will need to ensure you have a visa which permits the right to work in the UK. Further details can be found on the Home Office website https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are an existing Skilled Worker visa holder, we may be able to sponsor and will review the transitional arrangements https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.