Job Opportunity: Research and Editorial Assistant for the Quill Project

Research and Editorial Assistant for the Quill Project

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Quill Project is seeking a research and editorial assistant to work on ‘Writing Peace’ alongside our editorial and academic staff. They will be assigned to a senior editor who will provide training and support and will be required to carry out 60 hours work between 17 March and 25 April 2025.

Responsibilities

Quill aspires to offer the definitive edition of the records it models, incorporating a range of primary source materials, taking advantage of the publication of high-resolution scans of relevant manuscripts, and referencing the most recent scholarly contributions. To achieve this, we work with collaborators at both Oxford and our partner institutions. The role of our editorial team is to translate these records into the format used by Quill’s database, and to ensure the application of common standards for the incorporation of digital material. The research and editorial assistant will work alongside a senior editor in order to:

· Catalogue and enter metadata for archival material relating to the Writing Peace project.

· Transcribe scans of handwritten and typewritten manuscript documents.

· Check computer-generated transcriptions for errors.

· Research historic records and government papers to identify individuals and groupings and record accurate data for project resource collections.

· Compile timelines of negotiations, committee meetings, and related historical events.

· Check style, grammar, and accuracy of content.

· Provide other reasonable support and assistance to the Quill team, as required.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • A proven interest in historical research and text-based analysis

  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal

  • Solid computer skills

  • The ability to work well with a collaborative project team

  • Previous experience working with archival material relating to the Northern Ireland conflict and reconciliation process

Given the short-term nature of this appointment, there will be limited time for training and on-boarding and the successful candidate must therefore have certain competencies in the Quill software package in addition to more general skills:

  • Prior training in using the Quill platform’s bespoke software to create sessions

  • Familiarity with the Quill Project’s processes for recording metadata

Candidates will be judged on the basis of these criteria. Examples of relevant experience can be drawn from study, voluntary work, or other equivalent experience.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please email quill@pmb.ox.ac.uk with a CV and covering letter by 17.00 on Friday 28th February 2025.

Quiller