Information And Document Management

Acquisitions Librarian - European Commission (AST1, Brussels)

GradeAST1
Contract TypeTemporary Agent
Salary Range€3,754 - €4,248/month
Deadline4 September 2026

About this position

The summary below is published by European Commission on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a

fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU ? Then come and work for the

European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the

world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different

nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive

place to work .

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging jobs with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring new

skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we care

about your work -life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare , accident and pension

schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • Contribute to all steps of the library acquisition workflow: issue order forms, create bibliographic records, manage receiving of materials or access activation, follow up on claims and user complaints, verify invoices,…
  • Assist the team leader and the head of sector in identifying user needs and optimal acquisition models, and in analysing terms and conditions of use
  • Liaise with users regarding their acquisition requests and help them access materials and/or direct them to other Library services
  • Liaise with contractors, publishers, data and information providers
  • Keep informed regarding developments in the area of library acquisitions and data and e-resource management
  • Perform tasks in the Library Services Platform and the Commission's records management system Ares
  • Contribute to drafting specifications for calls for tenders and participate in tenders evaluations
  • Participate in front-end library services including shifts in the Reading Room and the Ask a Librarian service

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Languages: English (excelle…), French (good)
  • Key skills: Experience of library acquisition processes, including selection of resources, purchasing workflows, monitoring financial data and liaising with external contractors, Excellent communication skills, Excellent interpersonal skills, Excellent organisational skills, Excellent time management and planning skills, Ability to prioritise effectively, Ability to follow up on tasks with tenacity, Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, Flexible and proactive approach, Strong initiative

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: temporary agent contract.

Working arrangements: based in Brussels.

Hiring unit: Unit OP.A.4 – Data, information and knowledge dissemination and preservation services, Publications Office of the Europ….

Position details

Reference
OP/COM/2026/1100
Directorate-General
OP - Publications Office
Vacancy Notice
Download PDF
Last Verified
7 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Acquisitions Librarian at European Commission based in Brussels at the AST1 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is OP/COM/2026/1100. It is hosted by OP - Publications Office, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Information And Document Management domain.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a

fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU ? Then come and work for the

European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the

world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different

nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive

place to work .

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging jobs with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring new

skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we care

about your work -life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare , accident and pension

schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development are strongly

promoted

• Multilingual schools for your children

We recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and actively promote diversity and inclusion:

We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of profiles,

including scientists, linguists , IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers and

engineers.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to foster ing a rich, diverse and inclusive working

environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly

welcome applications from all qualified candidates . We actively seek to create a workplace where

each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full

potential.

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates , we strongly

encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European

Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, the Czech Republic,

Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, European

> Commission

2

> OP/ COM/2026/1100

Slovakia and Sweden 1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants

and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

For more information ec.europa.eu/work -with -us

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non -permanent positions .

There are two categories of non -permanent staff:

> •

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of ti me or

to perform highly specialised tasks .

> •

contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an insufficient

number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or manual tasks.

They are generally recruited for fixed -term contracts (maximum 6 years in any EU

Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite duration (in

offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

> 1Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential data > changes over time. European > Commission

3

> OP/ COM/2026/1100

Acquisitions Librarian

The Publications Office of the European Union

Selection reference: OP /COM/ 2026 /1100

Domain : Information and document management

Where : Unit OP.A.4 – “Data, information and knowledge dissemination and preservation services “, Brussels

Staff category and Function Group : Temporary agent 2b – Assistant

Grade range: AST1 -3

Publication deadline : 04.09.2026 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

The Publications Office of the European Union is the official provider of publishing services to all EU

institutions, bodies, and agencies. As such, it is the central point of access to EU law, and also to

publications, data, research results, procurement notices and other official information. The

Publications Office therefore plays a central role in informing the public about what the EU does

and means for them, and in unlocking the power of data. Its mission is to support EU policies as a

centre of excellence for data, information and knowledge management, and to ensure that this

broad range of information is available to the public as accessible and reusable data to facilitate

transparency, economic activity and the diffusion of knowledge. The Publications Office publishes in

all the official languages of the European Union and continuously adapts its services to a rapidly

evolving technological environment (e.g. data services, cloud computing, machine learning and

artificial intelligence). Unit A.4 ‘Data, Information and Knowledge Dissemination and Preservation

Services’ is responsible for delivering library, information, and physical and digital preservation

services both to the European Commission and at the interinstitutional level. It has the key role of

ensuring that Commission staff have access to authoritative, evidence -based resources to support

them in their daily work. The unit also develops tools and services for data, information, and

knowledge dissemination and preservation for use at the Publications Office and beyond. It is made

up of two sectors: the EC Library and Long -term Preservation. The EC Library itself is split over two

sites – one in Brussels and one in Luxembourg. Its staff work collectively to ensure the timely

delivery of data and information to all its users. Through a suite of services, the unit is committed

to fostering an environment of active enquiry, idea generation, open debate and collaboration. It

works together with other libraries within the EU institutions and beyond to share experiences and

build common services where appropriate. 4

OP /COM/ 202 6/1100 Version: 16/04/2026

WE PROPOSE

We propose a dynamic job as an Acquisitions Librarian in an environment where your expertise and

experience will be valued, where you can work alongside other professionals and where you will

directly contribute to the delivery of corporate library services across the Commission. You will have

the opportunity to contribute directly to the core of the EC Library’s mission to acquire authoritative

data and information in a timely manner. As part of our Acquisitions Team, you will play a key role

in sourcing, acquiring and making accessible high -quality data, information, and knowledge

resources to support the European Commission’s work. Your expertise will help ensure that

Cabinets, senior management, policy officers, researchers, and staff have the evidence -based

materials they need to support them in their policy work. You will as well work closely with the

various teams in the Library itself and be expected to engage with publishers, contractors, and

users. In addition, you will perform tasks in the Library Services Platform and the Commission’s

records management system Ares and contribute to drafting specifications for calls for tenders as

well as participate in tenders evaluations. You will also participate, as a member of the library

team, in front -end library services including shifts in the Reading Room and the Ask a Librarian

service. This post is based in Brussels .

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic, proactive, motivated and service -oriented colleague who has

experience of library acquisition processes, including selection of resources, purchasing workflows,

monitoring financial data and liaising with external contractors. The successful candidate will

possess excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational, time management and planning

skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, follow up on tasks with tenacity, and work both

independently and collaboratively within a team. A flexible and proactive approach, combined with

strong initiative, curiosity, and eagerness to learn, is essential. The role also requires a commitment

to continuous personal and professional development. The selected candidate will have an excellent

knowledge of English and a good command of French. The successful candidate will: • Contribute to

all steps of the library acquisition workflow: issue order forms, create bibliographic records,

manage receiving of materials or access activation, follow up on claims and user complaints, verify

invoices, renew or cancel subscriptions, etc. • Assist the team leader and the head of sector in

identifying user needs and optimal acquisition models, as well as in analysing terms and conditions

of use. • Liaise with users regarding their acquisition requests and help them access materials

and/or direct them to other Library services for further assistance. • Liaise with contractors,

publishers, data and information providers. • Keep informed regarding developments in the area of

library acquisitions and data and e -resource management. Experience in the library sector would be

highly valued. 5

OP /COM/ 202 6/1100 Version: 16/04/2026

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:

1. your CV 2. completed application form.

Please send these documents by the publication deadline to OP -DIR -A-

SECRETARIAT@publications.europa.eu indicating the selection reference OP /CO M/ 2026 /1100 in

the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 6

OP /COM/ 202 6/1100 Version: 16/04/2026

ANNEX

1. Selection

➢ Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application :

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AST1 runs from €3,754 (step 1) to €4,248 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €45,048 to €50,976 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €601 per month at step 1 of AST1) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 7 August 2026, today.

The application deadline is 4 September 2026, 27 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 7 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AST1 see our AST1 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at European Commission see the European Commission institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Brussels see our Brussels location page; for related vacancies in the Information And Document Management field browse our Information And Document Management domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Net pay at this grade

At step 1 of AST1, gross monthly basic salary on the Assistants grid is €3,754. Eligible expatriate staff add a 16% expatriation allowance on top (roughly €601 per month) before two automatic deductions reduce the taxable base: the joint sickness insurance scheme (JSIS, ~3.6%, €157) and the EU pension contribution (~10.3%, €449). EU community tax (Council Reg. 260/68) is then applied progressively; for the AD7-equivalent band the effective rate sits in the 11 to 13% range, which works out to about €450 per month here.
Brussels carries a correction coefficient of 100.0% (Article 64 of the Staff Regulations), so the net is multiplied by 1.00 to reflect the local cost of living. On those assumptions take-home pay is approximately €3,300 per month, or about €39,597 per year, before household and dependent-child allowances, which can add several hundred euros monthly for staff with families. For the exact bracket-by-bracket computation see our net-pay methodology, and our correction coefficients guide for the full duty-station table.

Comparable recent roles

In the last twenty-four months European Commission (and the wider Commission and agencies family) has filled several adjacent roles at the same AST1 grade level. The most recent comparable vacancies, with their actual application windows:
  • Financial Assistant - Initiation at European Commission (AGRI- Agriculture and Rural Development) (published 2026-08-03, closed 2026-08-17)
  • Administrative Assistant - to the Director at European Commission (SG - Secretariat-General) (published 2026-07-27, closed 2026-08-10)
  • Assistant Case Handler at European Commission (TRADE – Trade) (published 2026-07-27, closed 2026-08-19)
  • Linguist Assistant at European Commission (DGT - Translation) (published 2026-07-27, closed 2026-08-25)
  • Laboratory Technician at European Commission (JRC - Joint Research Centre) (published 2026-07-24, closed 2026-08-24)
Pattern recognition matters here: recruiters at the same Directorate-General often re-advertise nearly identical profiles every six to nine months, so candidates who miss one window can typically position for the next one. Browse the live catalog: all AST1 openings, other vacancies at European Commission, more roles in Information And Document Management.

Career trajectory

Career progression for AST1 staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at OP - Publications Office, AST grades progress one level every three to five years on merit; AD reclassification via a CAST or internal competition is the longer-term route. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

Across the past twenty-four months 10 comparable openings with the same grade and Information And Document Management signature have been advertised by European Commission or related EU bodies, 10 of them in the last twelve months alone. That cadence (roughly 5.0 per year) suggests a candidate who narrowly misses this competition can reasonably expect a similar profile to reopen within six to nine months.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .Salary estimate based on EU Staff Regulations.

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