Graduate Trainee Digital Archivist

The Bodleian Libraries is looking for Digital Archivists of the future. Our Graduate Trainee Digital Archivist Scheme could be your first step towards a career in 20th and 21st century archives. Preserving the past for the benefit of the future is increasingly a matter of preserving born-digital materials, and this traineeship will support you to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to develop a career in this field.
This scheme combines on-the-job training and funded postgraduate study. You will learn traditional and digital curation skills, applying these to the Libraries' 20th- and 21st-century archive collections. You will be involved in processing digital materials, including archiving websites, but will also have the opportunity to work with the archives of individuals and organisations. You will learn everything from editing XML metadata, to assessing legal risks, to using digital curation tools. You will also work towards a, postgraduate qualification in Archives & Records Management from Aberystwyth University.

Applications are welcome from graduates of any discipline, relevant to the Libraries' 20th- and 21st-century archives (see https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/weston/finding-resources/guide), but are particularly encouraged from candidates with a STEM or Social Sciences background. This is an entry-level traineeship, and we do not expect you to have any prior experience in the field, but we will want to understand why you are interested in pursuing a career in archives.
This is a training role and is offered on a full-time, fixed-term basis for 2 years beginning in early Sep 2024. One afternoon per week will be released for study, and you will be expected to participate in two short study schools run by Aberystwyth University.
Please do not apply if you already have, or are currently doing, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree related to Archives Administration / Information Management / Librarianship / Museum Studies, or if you have already completed a traineeship in Archives / Heritage / Libraries, or have substantial work experience in these areas.
This role will not attract sufficient points to obtain a sponsored Tier 2 visa under the points based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who don't currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a visa via another route.
This role requires lone working and regular manual handling.
Due to work involving handling highly valuable or sensitive items, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a basic Disclosure and Barring Service check.
About You
If you are flexible, have a strong grasp of digital technologies, and a passion for problem-solving then this might be the career for you.
You will also need great communication skills, initiative, and a willingness to work closely in a team.
Excellent IT literacy is also essential.
A degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Medicine subjects, or in politics, economics, international relations, or philosophy is desirable.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme


• 38 days of annual leave


• A comprehensive range of childcare services


• Family leave schemes


• Cycle loan scheme


• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans