Vacancy for Project Archivist (Cataloguer) at University of Oxford

Digital Preservation Coalition; Oxford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford seek two Project Archivists (Cataloguers) to enhance access to archival collections. The role involves cataloguing and managing modern archival material while collaborating with the Archives & Modern Manuscripts team at a flagship library.

Qualifications

• Experience cataloguing modern archives with high throughput.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with legal and ethical contexts for modern archives.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to processing archives currently inaccessible for research.
• Survey, sort, arrange, and catalog modern archival collections.
• Promote newly available resources to potential audiences.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Knowledge of Modern Archives

Education

First degree relevant to 20th century archives and manuscripts

Professionally recognised postgraduate qualification in archives management

Tools

Archives Metadata Management Environments

Job description

• Vacancy for Project Archivist (Cataloguer) at University of Oxford

Vacancy for Project Archivist (Cataloguer) at University of Oxford

20 February 2024

Oxford

Fixed Term

The Bodleian Libraries are seeking to appoint two Project Archivists to support the work of the Archives & Modern Manuscripts team, based in the Weston Library, a flagship facility designed for the care and promotion of Special Collections.

In this post you will make an important contribution to the Bodleian Libraries’ ambitions to surface its archive and manuscript collections, processing several archives currently inaccessible for research. You will be committed to maintaining up-to-date knowledge of professional literature and best practice, with the confidence to exercise strong professional judgment to achieve rapid and efficient surveying, sorting, arranging, and sensitivity review and cataloguing of modern archival collections, according to the Bodleian’s processes and standards. You will be pro-active in promoting newly available resources to potential audiences.

You will have a first degree relevant to the Libraries’ holdings of 20th century archives and manuscripts, or the ability to demonstrate equivalent knowledge gained through other means. Knowledge in one or more of the following subject areas is desirable, but not essential: Modern Greek, 20th-century European politics, 20th-century British literature, 20th-century classical music and 20th/21st century history, including the history of medicine. You will have a professionally recognised postgraduate qualification in archives management, digital curation or a related subject.

Your oral and written communication skills will be excellent, and you will be capable of working well independently and in a team. You will have strong project management skills and be able to manage your time effectively. You will be conversant with professional standards for archives, and especially relevant to cataloguing these materials. You will have experience of cataloguing modern archives, with evidence of aptitude for high-throughput original cataloguing, and exposure to archives metadata management environments. An ability to grasp new subjects quickly is essential, as is knowledge of the legal and ethical context to work with modern archives.