Library Officer

Library Officer

Full-Time 41600 - 41600 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Institute Of Cancer Research

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage library operations, support academic processes, and enhance service delivery.
  • Company: Join the Institute of Cancer Research, a leading cancer research institution.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and exclusive staff benefits.
  • Other info: Diversity is celebrated here; your unique background is valued.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while supporting vital academic services.
  • Qualifications: Organised, reliable, with experience in managing processes and strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 41600 - 41600 € per year.

Salary: £41,600 per annum FTE

Contract type: Permanent

Hours per week: Full time (35 hours per week), Monday to Friday. Job shares or part-time work across 5 days a week will be considered.

Location: Sutton. This role is eligible for hybrid working.

Closing Date: May 20th 2026

We are seeking a capable and organised professional to join the ICR as Library Officer, supporting a small but important library service and a range of related academic support processes.

Reporting to the Head of Academic Systems, the Library Officer will oversee the day-to-day operation of the ICR’s library service, including journal subscriptions, inter-library loans, user enquiries and support for library study spaces. The post-holder will also be responsible for several related services, including open access administration, postgraduate thesis submission and examination processes, archive management, and coordination of Freedom of Information requests.

The ICR is a highly specialised research institution, and this role is central to ensuring that key services and processes run smoothly and efficiently. The post-holder will manage a varied workload with a high degree of autonomy, supporting staff and students while maintaining careful oversight of processes where accuracy, sound judgement and timely action are essential.

Alongside the operational aspects of the role, the Library Officer will help to improve the way services are delivered over time. This will include reviewing processes, identifying opportunities to improve responsiveness, supporting service development work, and contributing limited cross-cover within the wider Academic Systems team where needed. The role would suit someone who is comfortable taking ownership of established processes, while also looking for practical ways to keep services effective and up to date.

The role offers the opportunity to work across a distinctive mix of responsibilities in a small and collaborative institution. It would suit someone who enjoys combining service delivery, process coordination and user support, and who is motivated by helping important academic and organisational processes run well.

We Are Looking For

  • an organised and reliable professional with experience of managing detailed processes accurately and to deadline;
  • someone with strong numerical skills and confidence to work with budgets, expenditure and service data;
  • a candidate who can communicate clearly and work effectively with a wide range of colleagues, students and external contacts;
  • an individual who can work independently, use sound judgement and take responsibility for a varied operational role;
  • someone with strong customer service instincts and a practical approach to improving services and processes;
  • ideally, a candidate with experience of working in higher education, libraries, scholarly information, student administration, or a similar environment.

Why work for us?

As a member of staff, you'll have exclusive access to a range of staff benefits. The ICR is committed to supporting overseas applicants applying for roles.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here.

At the Institute of Cancer Research, we champion diversity as we believe it fuels innovation and drives impactful research. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.

Don't let a checklist of qualifications hold you back – if you're passionate about the role, we want to hear from you. Your unique experiences and backgrounds contribute to the richness of our team. We are committed to being an equal opportunity for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. Join us in creating an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.

Library Officer employer: The Institute Of Cancer Research

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work environment in Sutton, where you can make a meaningful impact on cancer research. With a commitment to employee growth, the ICR provides access to exclusive staff benefits and opportunities for professional development, all while supporting a diverse workforce that values unique perspectives. Join us as a Library Officer and play a vital role in enhancing academic support services within a prestigious institution dedicated to innovation and excellence.

The Institute Of Cancer Research

Contact Detail:

The Institute Of Cancer Research Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Library Officer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Library Officers or staff at the ICR. A friendly chat can give us insider info on what they value in candidates and might even lead to a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to library services and academic support. We should also think about how we can demonstrate our organisational skills and customer service instincts during the chat.

Tip Number 3

Showcase our passion for improving services! Think of examples where we've made processes more efficient or user-friendly. This will resonate well with the ICR's focus on enhancing service delivery.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re keen on being part of the ICR community right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Library Officer

Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail
Numerical Skills
Budget Management
Customer Service
Communication Skills
Process Coordination

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Library Officer role. Highlight your experience in managing processes, customer service, and any relevant skills that match what we’re looking for. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; give us examples of how you've used your organisational and numerical skills in past roles. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and improved services, so share those success stories!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Institute Of Cancer Research

Know Your Library Processes

Familiarise yourself with the key processes involved in library operations, such as journal subscriptions and inter-library loans. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.

Demonstrate Your Customer Service Skills

Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse range of people, as this is crucial for supporting both staff and students.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised, as this role requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to oversee various processes simultaneously.

Emphasise Your Improvement Mindset

Think about ways you've contributed to improving services or processes in past positions. Be prepared to share ideas on how you could enhance the library's operations, demonstrating your proactive approach to service delivery.