Thanks to external funding, the British Library is pleased to be able to offer an internship in the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts section of the Western Heritage Department for a post-graduate or post-doctoral student in History, Art History, Medieval Language or Literature or other relevant subject.

Decorated initial, diagram, and bar border with a human hybrid grotesque at the beginning of an anonymous text on planetary theory, from a collection of scientific treatises, France (Paris), c. 1250-1325, Harley MS 13, f. 3r

The primary focus of the internship will be to enhance our Explore Archives and Manuscripts online catalogue, by creating catalogue entries for medieval manuscripts from the Harley collection. In addition, the intern will be involved in all aspects of the work of the Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts section, including responding to enquiries, providing talks for students and patrons, selecting and presenting manuscripts for display in our exhibition gallery, and cataloguing, thereby gaining insight into various curatorial duties and aspects of collection care.  During the internship at the Library, the intern will enjoy privileged access to printed and manuscript research material, and will work alongside specialists with wide-ranging and varied expertise. 

This internship is designed to provide an opportunity for the student to develop research skills and expertise in medieval history and manuscripts, and in presenting manuscripts to a range of audiences.  Previous interns have given feedback that they felt a valued member of the team, gained professional confidence and developed their career by carrying out a ‘real’ job with specific duties.

The programme is only open to students who are engaged actively in research towards, or have recently completed a PhD in a subject area relevant to the study of medieval manuscripts and who have a right to work in the UK full time. 

The term of internship is full time (36 hours per week over 5 days) for 9 months.  The salary is £9.40 per hour, which is the current London Living Wage. The internship will start in October 2016 or as soon as relevant security checks have been completed.

To apply, please visit www.bl.uk/careers.

Applicants are asked to include answers to the following questions within their Supporting Statement:

1. Please give examples of your experience in cataloguing medieval manuscripts. 
2. Please provide examples of your experience in writing about your research for a general audience.

Closing Date: 15^th July 2016

Interviews will be held on 16 August. The selection process may include questions about the date and origin of a particular manuscript to be shown at the interview.

Intern in Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts

Salary is £9.40 per hour (London Living Wage)

Full Time (36 hours per week over 5 days)

Fixed Term for 9 months

St Pancras, London

Start date in October 2016

~Kathleen Doyle