Early Career Librarian (3-year fixed term) in Oxford

Salary: Grade 5 (Balliol pay scale) - £31,254 - £36,914 per annum, commensurate with skills and experience

Contract type: Full-time, fixed term

Location: Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ

Department: College Library and Archives

Reports to: The College Librarian; the Assistant Librarian for day-to-day line management

Responsible for: N/A

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The normal working hours are 9am to 5pm, although there can be some flexibility. The ability to work evenings and weekends given reasonable notice is expected. Working hours would be adjusted in lieu of such work.

Holiday: 6 weeks (30 days), plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year, 5 of which are taken during the Christmas period when the College is closed. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.

Probation period: 4 months

Notice period: 1 month on either side (during probation) 3 months on either side (after probation)

Purpose of the Post: Working as part of the Library team to assist in the general running of Balliol College Library services. Completing a Library Masters course by distance learning.

Job duties and responsibilities:

• The Early Career Librarian will take part in, and receive appropriate training for, all aspects of work in Balliol College Library. Specific duties will include:
• Periodicals: Manage the Library’s subscriptions to journals and standing orders including, receiving and processing incoming journals/SOs, liaising with EBSCO and other providers to chase missing volumes, organising binding, processing renewals in consultation with the Librarian.
• Circulation: Administer overdue reports and charges; administer hold requests; operate the Library security system; re-shelve returned books; keep stock tidy.
• Reader services: Working with the rest of the team, organise reader inductions and information literacy training; take a lead role in maintaining and developing the Library’s current awareness service through signage, the Library website, Facebook and other media as appropriate; ensure that Library rules are observed and the reading room facilities function smoothly; contribute to staffing the enquiry desk and answering remote enquiries.
• Collection management: Process new stock and maintain condition of existing stock; take part in stock management procedures from start to completion: selection, acquisition, and assessment of stock for disposal or transfer between sites. Particular responsibility for developing the study skills and DVD collections.
• Cataloguing: Catalogue new stock on the ALAMA system using MARC21 and RDA. Training will be provided.
• Library Disability Rep: Review and develop the Library’s promotion of the support it offers disabled students, particularly ahead of the new academic year; liaise with JCR and MCR Reps, the Undergraduate Admissions and Academic Administrator and other members of staff within College and the wider University to ensure a high quality of support for disabled students; be proactive in offering support to disabled students.
• The Early Career Librarian will also:
• Be involved in invigilation, exhibitions and events at the St Cross Historic Collections Centre
• Contribute ideas to improve the Library service
• Attend professional meetings, conferences and training as directed by the Assistant Librarian/Librarian.
• Take on any other duties and projects as deemed necessary by the Assistant Librarian/Librarian

Person Specification – skills and experience:

• Essential:
• A good first degree
• Significant relevant experience
• A genuine interest in, and commitment to, pursuing a Masters course in Library and Information studies or a related subject
• A keen eye for detail
• Organisation and administration skills
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Good systems skills (Microsoft Office user and other relevant systems)
• A strong commitment to customer service and a high level of interpersonal skills
• Desirable:
• A demonstrable interest in working with heritage collections

Employee Benefits:

• The College will support the Early Career Librarian’s completion of a Library Masters degree by distance learning, covering the cost of the course. Additional leave will be allowed for attendance at study schools. One half-day during the working week will be set aside for personal study.
• Staff meals: A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.
• Pension: Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS). This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College.
• Travel: Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.
• Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories.
• Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).
• Healthcare: Free flu jabs and eye tests for computer/VDU users. Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool. Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.
• University Club: Free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.
• Learning and personal development: In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University.
• Visitor access: Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.
• Employee discounts: Available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.
• Balliol nursery: A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability. Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.

Interviews: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by 29th August. Interviews are expected to take place in mid-September 2026 and are currently provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 16 September 2026. Candidates are encouraged to keep this date available, although it may be subject to change.

Right to Work: Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

Equal Opportunities: Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.

Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy