Autonomous Community of Asturias - Traineeships in Historical Science

What you get

You will receive 600 EUR per month for 12 months. This period may be extended by up to a further 12 months, provided you agree to this and the budget allows. The scholarship is awarded by the Junta General del Principado de Asturias, the regional parliament of Asturias in northern Spain. You will work 25 hours per week, 5 hours per day. You will transcribe and edit historical texts dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, mainly old parliamentary minutes. Furthermore, as an intern, you will be insured under the Spanish public social security system, meaning you will benefit from standard health and pension cover. The aim is to provide history graduates with practical experience and to help them enter the labour market. This is not a permanent position and there is no prospect of subsequent permanent employment.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have a degree in history.
• When you graduated: This call for applications is aimed at graduates. For the 2013 round, a degree from 2008 was required; please therefore check the exact age limit for the current round.
• Health: You do not suffer from any illness or physical impairment that would prevent you from completing the work placement.
• Public service record: You were not dismissed from the civil service as a result of disciplinary proceedings.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. There are no restrictions based on gender or religion.
• Other awards: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarship, employment or similar commitment.

How to apply

Please submit a written application, together with your CV and evidence of your qualifications, to the Parliament’s administrative office in Oviedo. The deadline for applications is 18.04. The selection process includes a compulsory practical test: You will be asked to transcribe a historical text and must achieve at least 5 out of 10 marks to pass. The selection panel will then assess your marks, relevant experience, language skills and IT skills, and may invite you to an interview.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria are very strict. You need a degree in history, must pass a proper transcription test, and only one place is awarded per round. The pool of eligible candidates is therefore small, but competition is fierce because there is only one place available. If you have good grades, can actually transcribe old handwritten documents and have additional language skills or experience in document processing, you’ll stand out from the crowd. Thorough preparation for the practical exam is more important here than anything else.