Collections Assistant

You will support the preparation and movement of objects for teaching, research, photography, conservation and outgoing loans, while helping to ensure the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of the Department’s study rooms, galleries and storage areas. Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will liaise with curators, researchers and colleagues across the Museum to coordinate access to collections and support a wide range of collections management activities. You will also contribute to gallery rotations, exhibitions and storage enhancement projects, and may occasionally travel nationally or internationally as a courier accompanying loan objects.

You will work with a wide range of materials including ceramics, metals, stone, organic materials and archives, ensuring that objects are handled and rehoused to appropriate museum standards.

This is a full-time, permanent position, working 36.5 hours per week.

This role involves regular lifting and moving of objects and boxes, some kept at height. Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) due to working in museum storage areas with collections.

About You

You will have qualifications and/or proven experience in Archaeology, History of Art, Museum Studies or a related discipline, alongside experience of working or volunteering in a museum or similar collections-based environment. You will have experience of object handling, packing and collections care, with a strong awareness of conservation, security and manual handling practices.

You will be confident supervising students, researchers or adult groups in object-based teaching environments and will possess excellent attention to detail and manual dexterity when handling museum collections. You will have good written and spoken English communication skills.

You will be highly organised, able to manage your own workload effectively and work collaboratively as part of a team. You will have general IT literacy, including experience using Microsoft Office and some familiarity with museum or collections databases. Knowledge of Museum Plus, Resource Space or the Department of Antiquities collections would be advantageous.

Benefits

As an employer, the University of Oxford genuinely cares about employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that they offer including:

• 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 and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Diversity

The University of Oxford’s staff and students come from all over the world, and they proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave.

The University of Oxford are committed to ensuring that recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at ***email_hidden***

How To Apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered.

The University of Oxford aims to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Claire Burton, Collections Manager (Department of Antiquities), who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role ([email protected]). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within the Human Resources department (***email_hidden***).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Wednesday 24th June 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 27th July 2026.

• An automatic annual increment each year will be paid up to (and not including) the discretionary range within the University of Oxford’s grade 4 salary scale.

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