Repository Collections Specialist

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Background

We are seeking two enthusiastic and diligent candidates to expand our Scholarly Communications Services team. Repository Collections Specialists provide expert support for the deposit, description and open access of a wide variety of University of Birmingham research outputs into the University’s repository infrastructure. That infrastructure includes dedicated thesis, data and working paper repositories (Eprints), the University Research Management System (Pure) and a digital preservation system (currently in procurement).

Role Summary

You will provide specialist support for the deposit, description and open access of a wide variety of University of Birmingham research outputs into the University’s repository infrastructure. That infrastructure includes dedicated thesis, data and working paper repositories (Eprints), the University Research Management System (Pure) and digital preservation service (currently in procurement).

Main Duties

Managing published research outputs in Pure (approx. 50%)

As an editor of research outputs in the PURE research information system, support the discovery of, and open access to, University of Birmingham research in line with prevailing policy by:

1. Identifying new University of Birmingham research outputs via mediated and direct deposit into Pure, as well as via integrated 3rd party services.
2. Using knowledge of open access options, publishing conventions, copyright legislation and Creative Commons (CC) licensing, within the context of prevailing funder and publisher policies, to decide on the most appropriate mechanism for making each output open access and applying any necessary embargo period.
3. Using knowledge of Dublin Core (DC) and Common European Research Information Format (CERIF) metadata standards to catalogue research outputs and maximise their discovery via our repository infrastructure.
4. Carefully interpreting publisher policies and licensing agreements to identify, assess and review appropriate full text versions of research papers, monographs, conference papers and book chapters; where necessary liaising directly with researchers to obtain the correct version.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

1. Educated to A-level or a relevant vocational or professional qualification. Alternatively substantial previous experience working with scholarly communications, publishing, metadata or library systems.
2. GCSE to a minimum of grade C/4 in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualifications).
3. Practical experience working in a library, publishing or research support position and ideally directly with research outputs and/or copyright matters.
4. Excellent understanding of open access and other open research practices as they apply to the modern research publishing landscape.

You will be:

1. Experienced communicating with, supporting and advising a wide range of service users, including those whose first language is not English, in a professional and tactful manner following service guidelines. This will ideally have included supporting staff and/or students in a HE environment.
2. Able to explain and summarise complex or specialist concepts to a non-specialist audience.

Informal enquiries to Michael Dainton, email: m.dainton@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

Closes: 21st April 2025

£29,647 to £31,460. Grade 5