Assistant Archivist: Cataloguing

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career in archives and records management at one of the world’s leading creative institutions. We are looking for a skilled Assistant Archivist to join the Library team at Chelsea College of Arts, with a particular focus on cataloguing and collections care. 

In this role you will contribute to an ongoing programme to catalogue UAL’s archives, museum and special collections, improving their discoverability and supporting teaching, learning, research and public engagement both within the University and beyond. A central aspect of the role involves cataloguing the African Caribbean, Asian and African Art in Britain Archive; comprising ephemera, posters, exhibition documentation and promotional material relating to the development of the Black British Art Movement from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. 

Working closely with collections staff, you will catalogue this archive using internationally recognised standards such as ISAD(G), contribute records to the CALM collections management system and create new authority records for makers and donors represented within the collections. You will also support ongoing work to decolonise the University’s collections through critical cataloguing practices that challenge dominance and stereotyping. In addition to this, you will help promote the newly catalogued archive through related research projects, social media content, and blog posts.  

Please be advised that onsite working will be the main focus for this role. 

Your profile

We are looking for someone with either a postgraduate qualification in archives and records management or curation, or equivalent professional experience in an archives environment and knowledge of archival cataloguing best practices.  

You will need knowledge and demonstrable experience of working to international standards in cataloguing and collections care, including appraisal and arrangement and description of archival material.    As well as  demonstrable understanding of how collections can support excellent research, teaching, professional practice and inclusivity. 

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Start your application

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.