Position Overview & Specifications
Education and Academic Services
University Library
This new full-time post is available immediately on a fixed term basis until 30 September 2024.
We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.
Based in the University Library's Heritage Collections team the Special Collections manages nearly 500 archives and rare book collections, holding major international collections relating to the Middle East and substantial South-West literature and drama collections. These are used by researchers from all over the world as well as in regular teaching and research on campus.
An opportunity has arisen within the Special Collections team for a temporary Archivist to join the team during the secondment of the current post-holder. The Archivist is a key part of the team, with responsibility for providing access to collections via cataloguing, promotion and support for seminars and research as part of a full and busy archive service. More information on Special Collections can be found on our website at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/library/special-collections/
Summary of the role
The postholder will:
- Undertake arrangement and description for specified collections, to international and local cataloguing standards.
- Identify potential conservation requirements, which may include digitisation.
- Take initiative in promoting the collections, both internally for teaching/research and externally with potential stakeholders.
- Seek opportunities to widen usage of the collections, both within the university teaching curriculum, research activity, and via outreach to external communities and stakeholders.
- Work in collaboration with other colleagues in the Special Collections and Bill Douglas Cinema Museum teams, the Digital Humanities team, other rights holders and interested stakeholders, and with members of the University’s academic community to maximise engagement with unique materials.
About You
With a postgraduate qualification in Archives and Records Management, or equivalent relevant experience, you will be a highly motivated self-starter who is able to gain an in-depth knowledge in the collections, and exercise initiative and judgment to resolve any issues. You will have experience of cataloguing archives to ISAD (G) standards, excellent communication skills, and experience in directing the work of staff or volunteers.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).
Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Benefits
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
- 41 days leave per year
- options for flexible working
- numerous discounts at leading retailers
- onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
- sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
- stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England
Further information
Please contact Caroline Walter, Senior Curator: c.walter2@exeter.ac.uk or (01392) 723010