GRADUATE TRAINEE ARCHIVIST 2026-2027
PEMBROKE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE & NEWNHAM COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
About the role
Pembroke College and Newnham College wish to appoint jointly a dedicated and hard-working Graduate Trainee Archivist for 2026-2027. This joint post offers an ideal opportunity to gain a wide range of experience in contrasting academic archives before embarking on a career in Archives and Records Management work. Candidates should have or expect to be awarded an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification (or good predicted result if in the final year of their degree). We welcome applicants from any subject background. The role is based in both colleges and the successful applicant’s week will be divided between the two locations.
The post-holder will provide assistance to the College Archivists with a range of day-to-day operational tasks and designated projects. This training post is designed to equip the post-holder with a wide range of practical archival experience prior to the attainment of a formal archive qualification. The post-holder is expected to play a full part in the Library and Archive teams in both colleges, support the Archives’ services to users, gain experience of archival cataloguing and management processes, and work on displays and exhibitions.
As this is a training post, the post-holder will have the opportunity to attend training sessions both within the University and externally, and to take part in visits and other professional activities. Please note that this is a training post aimed at people who are new to the profession. Therefore, applications from anyone with more than 3 years’ cumulative experience in archives, libraries or museums, or who has started or completed a professional qualification in these areas will not be considered. We welcome candidates who have other work experience that wish to start a career in archival work.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
Pembroke College
The Archive is based within the Pembroke College Library. The Library and Archive together employ 3 full time and 2 part time members of staff which will include the Archive Graduate Trainee and a Library Graduate Trainee. The Archive works closely with the College Library providing access to Archive Collections to the College and the wider community.
For further background information on the Pembroke Archives, visit:
Newnham College
The Newnham College Archive is, similarly, based within the Newnham College Library. The team consists of 3 full time Librarians, a part time Curator, and a full time College Archivist. The team works closely together in providing access to researchers, and creating exhibitions and displays showcasing the College collections.
For further background information on the Newnham Archives, visit:
Both archives use the ArchivesSpace cataloguing system, hosted by the University Library, see https://archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/.
This is a fixed-term, full time post, working 18.75 hours a week at Newnham College and 18.25 hours a week at Pembroke College. The post is paid at point 25 on the University’s single salary spine, currently £25,249 per annum. Exact hours and pension schemes vary, but the responsibilities of the role will be comparable at each college. The annual holiday entitlement across the 2 Colleges is to 33 days per year (inclusive of bank holidays). A free meal when on duty is offered as well as use of the College’s gym facilities.
About you
The successful applicant will possess an honours degree (meeting course requirements) in any subject area or be expected to complete an honours degree if in the final year of study, and be able to show a demonstrable interest in archives with an intention to go on to a professional qualification. Some experience working as a volunteer and/or as a user of Archives, good general/office IT skills and a willingness to learn to use specialist systems are also required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to interact effectively and confidently with a range of people including students, Fellows, visitors, and members of College staff are key attributes of the role.
How to apply
Two job descriptions with person specifications and details of the contract with each college are available by clicking on “Job Description” and an application form and equal opportunities form can be found on the main vacancy page: https://newn.cam.ac.uk/about/vacancies. Please demonstrate in the application form how you meet the essential requirements of the role found in the person specifications.
Completed applications should be emailed to HR@newn.cam.ac.uk by the closing deadline of noon on Monday 23 March 2026. The intention is to hold interviews at Newnham College on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
Pembroke College and Newnham College are equal opportunities employer.