Assistant Librarian

Salary: £37,369 to £39,560 with progression to £46,970 per annum, pro rata

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 01 November 2026

The Role

This role represents an exciting opportunity to join the Library’s highly regarded Academic Engagement team at a pivotal time, as the University undertakes a programme of curriculum transformation. Working in partnership with academic colleagues, you will support the development of students’ digital, information and research skills by designing, developing and delivering high-quality teaching activities and learning resources to suit blended methods of delivery. You will also provide one-to-one support to both staff and students, helping them to make effective use of a wide range of information resources and digital tools.

You will act as a key contact for Schools, promoting Library services and gathering feedback to support service development and enhancement. This is a varied and rewarding role, offering opportunities to collaborate with diverse groups of staff and students, and to contribute to a wide range of projects and initiatives within the library and the wider University.

We are looking for someone who can bring enthusiasm and experience of delivering engaging digital, information and research skills teaching to different users.  You will have excellent communication skills and good understanding of information resources and tools, including reference management systems, with the ability to adapt to new platforms and technologies. 

This role is offered on a part-time basis (0.8 FTE) with the required working pattern of Monday – Thursday from Monday 4th January.   The role is suitable for blended working, with a minimum of 60%  to be worked on campus. If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Aimee Watson-Cook (aimee.cook@newcastle.ac.uk). 

For more information about what we do, see our library website (ncl.ac.uk/library)

To apply please upload your CV and cover letter evidencing how your skills and experience align to the criteria as outlined in the person specification of the job description.

Key Responsibilities 

• To design and deliver high-quality and innovative digital, information and research skills teaching to students at all levels, tailored appropriately to different disciplines. This includes collaborating with colleagues from our Academic Skills Team on the development and delivery of embedded teaching and online learning materials, in support of student learning and university education initiatives.
• To develop, create and maintain high-quality and interactive online multimedia learning resources and activities across a wide range of subjects and levels of study to support the Library’s skills programmes. This includes development of online learning resources such as online subject guides, videos, and interactive learning materials for the University’s virtual learning environment.
• To provide one-to-one support in the use of academic information resources, including specialist databases and digital tools.
• To support the Faculty Engagement Librarians by acting as a key point of contact for Schools. This includes working in partnership with academic colleagues to ensure that the Library’s digital, information and research skills provision meets the needs of students, and representing the service at School meetings.
• Develop and maintain publicity materials, including digital and web ready content, with particular emphasis on relevant services and resources to academic staff and students. This includes planning and organising promotional events
• Contribute to Library wide and sectional objectives and projects, and Library groups, co-ordinating Academic Engagement support for specific area(s) of Library activity, including undertaking relevant user research and evaluation activities.
• Work with Faculty Engagement Librarians to identify and evaluate new and emerging digital tools, platforms and resources for Academic Engagement activities and future service development. 
• Work with the Library’s Education Outreach and Transition team to support the development of Library’s outreach activities, including information literacy activities.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of the Senior Library Assistants and temporary staff mainly in teaching-related activities.
• Participate in relevant networks and communities to ensure that work is informed by the latest developments in digital, information and research skills development, academic practice and pedagogical research.
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required.

The Person (Essential)  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience   

• Significant experience of working in libraries in an academic or other similar environment.
• Experience of using and demonstrating information resources and digital tools, including discovery tools and reference management systems, appropriate for different levels of study and research.
• Experience of designing and delivering in-person, online and non-synchronous information literacy teaching across a wide range of users.
• Up to date knowledge of issues relating to teaching, learning and assessment in higher education specifically relating to the development of students’ digital and information literacies.
• Experience in producing publicity and marketing to promote library resources and services.
• Highly developed digital skills, including experience of critically evaluating and adopting new digital tools and emerging technologies e.g. AI tools, and using web content management system e.g. LibGuides, virtual learning environments and Microsoft 365 applications. 
• Excellent team working skills, and demonstrable ability to establish and maintain effective networks both internally and externally.
• Ability to manage own work and time effectively with minimal managerial supervision, and to facilitate the work of others.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.

Qualifications 

• Educated to honours degree standard or equivalent
• Professional qualification in Library and Information Science or Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Library Information Professionals or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29834