The University of Edinburgh is currently offering a part-time opportunity for a student to join the Heritage Collections Team as a Heritage Collections Digitisation Enquiry Assistant. The teams preserve, provide access to, and interpret the heritage collections looked after by the University, which include rare books, archives, artworks, musical instruments, and sound recordings. Within this, you will answer incoming enquiries and prepare orders for digitisation, as part of the Research Services team who process orders for high quality photography and scanning, and transfers them to the Cultural Heritage Digitisation Service for completion.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to gain experience in working with heritage professionals to use archive and library catalogues, handling and assessing collections items and preparing metadata documentation for items to be digitised. This position is well suited for students looking to gain insights into a career in heritage collections and archives.
You can expect to start work on the 9th February 2026 and work until August 2026. You can expect to work 7 hours per week in the Centre for Research Collections, located on the 6th floor of the Main Library. During this position, you will be paid £14.30 per hour, plus £2.59 per hour holiday pay. Payment is one month in arrears, meaning your first payment date (should this position start when expected) will be 27th March 2026.
Duties and responsibilities
* Using the enquiry management system to communicate with users in a clear and comprehensive manner;
* Preparing metadata and coversheets for digitisation orders;
* Using archive and library catalogues to navigate the collections and locate items for digitisation;
* Assessing collections items for digitisation and liaising with the Conservation and Collections Management team as required;
* Developing a comprehensive knowledge of the digitisation process and documentation.
Skills and experience
Essential criteria:
* A current student at the University of Edinburgh (this post is designated for UoE student employment; therefore, you must be a matriculated student for the duration of your employment). You also must not hold the position of ‘Resident Assistant’ ;
* Based in the UK for the duration of the work, able to work on campus when required (we cannot accommodate individuals working overseas due to tax and legal implications), and able to attend a Right to Work Check in person if you are a British or Irish Passport holder;
* Proven strong written communication skills;
* Evidence of a methodical working style, with strong attention to detail;
* Proven ability to work independently to complete a project to a deadline.
Desirable Criteria:
* Proven interest in the University's cultural and heritage collections;
* Previous experience of using library or archive cataloguing systems to locate items;
* Demonstrable knowledge of enquiry management systems, particularly Unidesk.
Location
Centre for Research Collections, Main Library, Edinburgh, EH8 9LJ
Benefits
* Being part of a welcoming community of over 150 ISG Student Workers with opportunities to network, whilst working in a supportive and nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on work/life balance;
* Pay rate and holiday entitlement equivalent to that of UE04 permanent staff, access to NEST pension scheme if applicable;
* As a staff member, you can join the University's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups (Staff Networks);
* Access to a range of excellent staff training content and resources from the Digital Skills Team.