At a Glance
- Tasks: Digitise natural history specimens and ensure high-quality records for global access.
- Company: Oxford University Museum of Natural History, a leader in digitisation projects.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, childcare services, and discounted travel.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with opportunities for public engagement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by preserving and sharing significant natural history collections.
- Qualifications: Experience in collections digitisation, strong IT skills, and supervisory experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Overview
The Oxford University Museum of Natural History leads the Oxford element of the Central England Digitisation Co-Hub, a major national programme transforming access to natural history collections through large-scale digitisation.
You will help preserve and make globally significant collections accessible to researchers and the public.
You will play a key role in the digitisation of natural history specimens across the Museum of Natural History and the Oxford University Herbaria.
Working within a small, collaborative Digitisation Team, you will prepare and safely handle specimens, capture high-quality images and metadata, and ensure digitised records meet institutional and sector standards before publication through national and international collections platforms.
You will supervise and support Digitisers in their day-to-day work, help maintain efficient workflows, monitor quality, troubleshoot operational issues and contribute to continuous improvement.
You will also work closely with colleagues across the Central England network, share best practice, contribute to reporting and public engagement activities, and help train staff, volunteers and interns.
This is a full-time, fixed-term post for 18 months.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and safely handle natural history specimens for digitisation.
- Capture high-quality images and metadata and ensure digitised records meet standards before publication on national and international platforms.
- Supervise and support Digitisers, maintain efficient workflows, monitor quality, troubleshoot operational issues and contribute to continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the Central England network, share best practice, report on activities, and engage with public outreach opportunities.
- Train staff, volunteers and interns, and contribute to documenting procedures and workflows.
Qualifications and Experience
- Demonstrable experience of collections digitisation or museum collections management, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow complex workflows involving delicate and irreplaceable specimens.
- Experience using collections management systems or relational databases, strong IT skills (including Microsoft Office), and experience checking and validating data for accuracy and consistency.
- Experience supervising or coordinating the work of others, with the ability to allocate work, embed good practice and support colleagues to achieve high standards.
- Organised and adaptable team member capable of prioritising a varied workload and communicating effectively with colleagues, volunteers and external partners.
- Experience in natural history collections, biodiversity data standards or museum digitisation projects is advantageous.
Benefits
- Excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days of annual leave
- Comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Cycle loan scheme
- Discounted bus travel and season ticket loans
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Digitiser
✨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 Senior Digitiser
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.
