SOAS University of London
Contract Type: Fixed-term until July 2030
Location: Bloomsbury, London
Hours: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
SOAS University of London is Europe’s leading Higher Education institution specialising in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. With a bold new strategic plan, SOAS is committed to revitalising its role in reimagining higher education globally—focusing on both innovation in research and responsiveness to student needs. As part of this transformation, SOAS is developing a new model of international partnerships to address the transnational nature of global challenges.
About the Department:
The SOAS Library is a globally renowned resource, drawing researchers from around the world. It houses 1.3 million volumes and an excellent range of online resources dedicated to the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Within the library, the Special Collections team manages the archive, manuscript, and rare book holdings, overseeing acquisition, cataloguing, preservation, and accessibility. The team provides specialist services through its reading room and enquiry service, working closely with other areas of the library such as Collection Care, the Digitisation Centre, SOAS Gallery, Access & Discovery, and Reader Services, as well as with colleagues throughout SOAS.
About the Role:
The post holder, reporting to the Head of Special Collections, will take a leading role in managing and developing the Methodist Missionary Society Archive and associated collections housed in SOAS Library. Key aspects of the role include cataloguing the archive in line with professional standards and enhancing legacy finding aids to improve accessibility and discoverability. The role will also involve managing new acquisitions in collaboration with external partners, contributing to the growth of the Methodist Collections.
An important aspect of this position is outreach; the post holder will promote awareness and engagement with the collections through various initiatives. They will also work with the Collection Care team to address preservation needs, ensuring long-term access to the materials. As the main point of contact for specialist enquiries, the post holder will provide expert advice to researchers and partner organisations while offering general support to the Special Collections service. Additional responsibilities will include responding to general enquiries, participating in collection management and processing activities, contributing to policy development, and supporting operations in the Special Collections Reading Room when needed.
More detailed information about the role, including key criteria and a comprehensive list of responsibilities, can be found in the Job Description and Person Specification available on the SOAS website.
What We Offer:
Joining SOAS means benefiting from a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide an outstanding range of benefits designed to promote your well-being and work-life balance:
- Generous Holiday Entitlement: 44 days of leave annually (30 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and 6 closure days during Christmas and Easter).
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Options to accommodate your personal and professional commitments.
- Occupational Pension Scheme: Offering robust financial security for your future.
- Learning and Development: Opportunities to enhance your skills, pursue career development, and grow professionally through diverse training programs.
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We look forward to welcoming a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team and contribute to the management and growth of these invaluable historical collections!
To apply for this job please visit vacancies.soas.ac.uk.