Details:
Location:
Various locations across Ashmolean Museum sites in OxfordshireCategory:
Collections CareSalary:
Contract type:
Contract ContractHours:
Full timeTelephone:
n/aCollections Assistant - 6 posts
About the role
Applications are invited for six Collections Assistants to join the Department of Antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum. Reporting to either the Department of Antiquities Collections Manager or Documentation Manager, you will play a key role in delivering the Digitise Locate Store (DLS) Collections Management Project — an ambitious initiative to audit, document, and improve access to the Museum’s world-renowned collections.
You will assist with the identification, documentation, and packing of archaeological objects working across the Museum’s on-site stores in Oxford and off-site storage facilities near both Bicester and Botley. You will update the Museum’s Collections Management System to ensure records accurately reflect object identification, location, and condition; measure, weigh and photograph objects; and prepare digital images for online access. Working closely with the Collections Care Team, Curators, and Conservation staff, you will follow established museum protocols for object handling, storage, and security to maintain the highest standards of collections care.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position, working 36.5 hours per week. Five posts are fixed for two years, and one post is fixed for one year. Please indicate your preferred contract length in the supporting evidence form. If you would like to be considered for both, please tick both options.
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 the stores with the Museum collection.
About You
You will have experience cataloguing museum collections, preferably archaeological objects, and handling fragile and complex artefacts. You will have excellent attention to detail, IT proficiency (including Microsoft Excel and collections databases), and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The role involves regular manual handling and physical activity, and training will be provided. A first degree in archaeology or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience, is desirable.
What We Offer
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we 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
Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we 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.
We are committed to ensuring that our 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 protected].
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.
We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Andrew Shapland, Sir Arthur Evans Curator of Bronze Age and Classical Greece, 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 our Human Resources department ([email protected]).
Please discuss secondments with your line manager in the first instance, as you must have their agreement that you can be released for a secondment before you submit an application. https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/secondments
Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 8th December 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 19th January 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.