At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to digitise important zoological and botanical collections for global access.
- Company: Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Herbaria, part of a major collaborative initiative.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, excellent pension scheme, childcare services, and travel discounts.
- Other info: Full-time, fixed-term role with opportunities for personal growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on biodiversity research and conservation while working with unique specimens.
- Qualifications: Attention to detail, confidence with Microsoft Office, and experience with data management.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Oxford University Herbaria are working together as part of the Central England Digitisation Co‑Hub, a major collaborative initiative that is transforming access to natural history collections across the UK.
This exciting programme will digitise nationally significant specimens, making them accessible to researchers and the public worldwide.
You will join a small Digitisation Team, primarily based at the Museum of Natural History, where you will play a key role in preparing, handling and digitising important zoological and botanical collections.
Working with delicate and irreplaceable specimens, you will capture high‑quality images and metadata using established digitisation workflows, ensuring accuracy while maintaining the highest standards of collections care.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant project that will improve access to biodiversity collections for research, education and conservation.
Responsibilities
- Join a small Digitisation Team mainly based at the Museum of Natural History.
- Prepare, handle, and digitise important zoological and botanical collections.
- Capture high‑quality images and metadata using established digitisation workflows.
- Ensure accuracy and maintain the highest standards of collections care.
- Follow detailed workflows consistently while maintaining high standards during repetitive tasks.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, volunteers and external partners.
- Work independently or as part of a collaborative team.
Qualifications
- Exceptional attention to detail and manual dexterity.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with collections management systems or relational databases.
- Experience checking and verifying data accurately.
- Organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Position Details
- Digitiser - 2 posts
Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW and Oxford University Herbaria, Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL
Full‑time, fixed‑term post for 18 months.
Benefits
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- 38 days of annual leave.
- A comprehensive range of childcare services.
- Family leave schemes.
- Cycle loan scheme.
- Discounted bus travel.
- Season ticket travel loans.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digitiser - 2 posts
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at University of Oxford, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
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We think you need these skills to ace Digitiser - 2 posts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at University of Oxford. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at University of Oxford. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Oxford
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at University of Oxford. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at University of Oxford to drive research projects forward.
