Custodian

The Scott Polar Research Institute wishes to appoint a suitably skilled and enthusiastic individual to the new role of Custodian, as part of a small, friendly team supporting the teaching and research of the Institute. The Institute is home to the Polar Museum which has a diverse range of collections and hosts regular events and public offers.
The Institute's Library & Archive holds one of the most comprehensive collections of published polar information and photographic material in the world.

As a Custodian for the building, you will have an awareness of the need to act with care around museum and library objects, have experience of building security procedures, and have an understanding of the cleaning methods and risk management in heritage or sensitive environments. You will have experience of setting up spaces for events and teaching and have an understanding of the safe use of cleaning chemicals and equipment. This role can be physically demanding, sometimes requiring regular and repetitive movements including lifting, carrying and manual dexterity for which training will be given.

You will support the Institute Administrator in the safe and efficient management of the Institute's building by inspecting the fabric of the building and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services; carrying out minor maintenance, repairs and servicing where possible; performing initial diagnosis of faults and escalating as necessary; and liaising with the central Estates Division or external contractors as required. You will proactively monitor the safety and cleanliness of the premises and supervise the day-to-day work of the Institute's cleaning staff as well as have responsibility for conducting a day-to-day high level of cleaning standards on your own designated area of the Institute.

This position is part-time, 20 hours per week Monday-Friday, starting early morning but with flexibility required in terms of start and finish times to reflect the needs and requirements of the Institute. The successful candidate will thrive in working as part of a team, but will also be content working alone, maintaining a flexible and friendly attitude at all times with good communication skills when liaising with our staff, students and visitors.
We are a friendly Institute and value all our staff for the contribution that they make to our community. We hold various social activities throughout the year and staff are also able to make use of free passes to the University Botanic Garden. We also have bike and car parking on site, on a first come first served basis.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
Informal enquiries may be made to the Institute Administrator:
instituteadministrator@spri.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference LD48900 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Scott Polar Research Institute

Salary

£25,249-£27,319

Reference

LD48900

Category

Assistant staff

Date published

26 February 2026

Closing date

15 March 2026