Digital Archivist graduate training scheme

Much of your training will be on-the-job, with support and guidance from colleagues in the Bodleian Libraries who are experts in their field. You’ll learn both traditional and digital archiving skills, and the majority of your practical work will focus on digital materials and archives metadata. You'll have the opportunity to apply these to some internationally important 20th- and 21st-century archival collections. You'll work with colleagues on a range of activities such as:

• digital archives processing, including archiving of websites; 
• cataloguing of archive collections, both analogue and digital; 
• XML manipulation and metadata management; 
• working with databases;
• providing services to users of special collections.

To read about the experiences of some of our former trainees, please visit our blog.

To help you shape your learning you will develop and maintain an Individual Learning Plan so that you can target the knowledge and skills you need, and build a portfolio to demonstrate your achievements. You will augment your skills and knowledge in an iterative way, as you apply principles in a practical setting, reinforcing your academic learning. Learning approaches will include:

• shadowing experts in the field; 
• participating in small group or 1-to-1 training sessions;
• carrying out hands-on work on projects and routine activities; 
• reading and researching concepts, issues, and problems, feeding into the Libraries’ work in relevant areas through discussion with colleagues and written reports;
• participating in the Oxford Libraries' Graduate Trainee Programme. 

Part of your role will be to share your learning through the Bodleian Libraries' social media and to act as an ambassador for the scheme.

As you move into your second year with us you will also help to support volunteers and work-experience students, a process that is intended to help you learn and share your growing knowledge.

During your two years with the Bodleian Libraries you will study at Aberystwyth University, earning a postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Record Management. In the digital age, most roles as a digital archivist demand a relevant postgraduate qualification, and our goal is to support trainees to achieve that qualification, while giving them practical hands-on experience with both traditional and digital archival work.

The Bodleian Libraries and Aberystwyth University have developed a study timetable which will structure your distance-learning studies to allow completion of your Diploma in Archives and Record Management within the period of the traineeship. The programme is designed to provide not just reading and assignments but also work-based experiences that support learning outcomes.

The modules you will follow during your studies are as follows:

• Access, Outreach and Advocacy (20 credits)
• Archives and Records – Practical Project (10 credits)
• Collections Care (20 credits)
• Digital Collection Development (10 credits)
• Knowledge and Information Architecture (20 credits)
• Record Keeping Process and Practice (20 credits)
• Record Keeping Theories and Contexts (10 credits)
• Research in the Profession (10 credits)

Depending on your existing knowledge and individual learning pace, you will need to dedicate approximately 15 hours to study each week. To provide you with dedicated study time, you will be released from work duties for one afternoon per week. Of course, you will also need to invest some of your own time to succeed.

As part of the diploma, you must attend two study schools with Aberystwyth University, which are usually held virtually. The Bodleian Libraries will release you for these study schools and cover your study school fees, and any reasonable travel and accommodation costs. Aberystwyth University provides further information about the Study Schools.

Aberystwyth University's Department of Information Studies supports its distance learning students in many ways. The department will allocate you a personal tutor, who will provide guidance for the duration of your studies. In addition, you will have access to a wide variety of online resources, advice and support to supplement your studies via the University's VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). Trainees will also have direct access to academic specialists throughout their studies, as well as the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow students on the course through the study schools and VLE.

On successful completion of the programme trainees will receive a professional postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management from Aberystwyth University.

It is possible to convert your postgraduate Diploma to a Master's level qualification by completing a dissertation. This process requires payment of a fee to Aberystwyth University, as well as work of researching and writing the dissertation. Trainees are solely responsible for the fees and work associated with converting the diploma to a degree.

The Trainee Archivist role is a 24-month salaried training role with a starting salary of grade 2.6 of the University's salary scale, increasing by one salary grade point annually.

The Bodleian Libraries will also cover the fees for your postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management from Aberystwyth University.

You will have the benefits of all University of Oxford employees available to you. These include a paid annual leave allowance of 38 days per year (inclusive of all public holidays and library closed days).

You will be based in the Weston Library on Broad Street, home to the Bodleian’s special collections.

There are usually two Graduate Digital Archivist Trainees in post at any one time. New trainees will work alongside a trainee who is part-way through their traineeship.

You will also become part of a cohort of Graduate Library Trainees working across Oxford's libraries on a 12-month scheme. Every effort is made to bring trainees together to allow them to share experiences and build networks.

Digital archivists work in many different kinds of organisation. A career in digital archiving could see you involved in a wide range of projects and working in a variety of settings, nationally and internationally.

Below are some useful links to archivist job listings and overviews of the archival profession:

• Archives and Records Association
• International Council on Archives
• Society of American Archivists
• Australian Society of Archivists
• Recent archivist job adverts in the UK

This traineeship is intended for new entrants to the sector. We do not consider applications from individuals who already hold qualifications in archives, libraries, museum or information science; who have already completed traineeships in the sector; or who have been employed in a professional role in the sector. The following resources may be of use for your own professional development:

• Digital Preservation Coalition
• Archives and Records Association
• Digital Curation Centre
• Open Preservation Foundation 
• iPRES
• IS&T Archiving
• Society of American Archivists Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Curriculum and Certificate Program

The role does not attract sufficient points to obtain a sponsored tier 2 Visa under the points- based immigration system.  However, 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.

If you have questions about the scheme please email Susan Thomas, Head of Archives and Modern Manuscripts via email: susan.thomas@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

If you have questions about the scheme please contact Susan Thomas, Head of Archives and Modern Manuscripts via email: susan.thomas@bodleian.ox.ac.uk