Research Assistants Wanted at the National Archives

Do you want to use your expertise in historical handwriting to train the AI of the future? The National Archives is now seeking up to five research assistants who want to work with transcription and make our shared cultural heritage searchable for everyone.

About the Role

As a research assistant focused on AI-assisted transcription, you will work to create high-quality training data for the National Archives' AI models. The emphasis is on transcribing and quality assuring machine-read texts from our archives.

The work is remote-based, meaning you will plan and execute your tasks independently. You will report to the Research and Development (R&D) function and become an important link in our efforts to build modern research infrastructure.

Who Are You?

We are looking for someone who is a specialist in reading and interpreting older historical texts, particularly manuscripts from the period 1500–1700 (early modern period and older modern Swedish). Since the work is remote, you need to be highly organized and have a strong internal drive.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a manuscript specialist: You have a documented ability to read difficult handwriting with high precision.
• Is independent and disciplined: You enjoy working focused on your own and take responsibility for delivering on time.
• Is meticulous yet efficient: You have an eye for detail and understand the importance of accuracy in training data, while also maintaining a good pace in your work.
• Follows instructions: You easily grasp specific transcription principles and technical frameworks.

Your Qualifications

• A master's degree in the humanities (e.g., history, languages, archival science) or other experience deemed equivalent.
• Solid and documented experience in transcribing handwritten source material from the 1500s to the 1700s.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the transcription tool Transkribus.
• Experience in research projects or working with digital archival material.
• Knowledge of AI-based methods for text recognition, particularly HTR (Handwritten Text Recognition).
• Experience in conveying knowledge about handwritten source material or training others in transcription.

Work Samples – An Important Part of Your Application

To assess your competence, we ask that you attach work samples that demonstrate your ability to transcribe older texts. This may include:

• Examples of transcriptions you have done in previous projects or studies.
• Scientific editions or articles where you were responsible for the transcribed material.

Please attach the work samples as an appendix or provide clear links in your cover letter. The selection will largely be based on an evaluation of these samples.

Employment Conditions

Employment type: Fixed-term employment, up to 3 years according to a special agreement.

Working hours: Part-time corresponding to at least 20% of full-time.

Workplace: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Lund, Uppsala, Vadstena, Visby. The work is performed remotely.

Start date: As soon as possible or by agreement

Apply by: 2026-04-13

The National Archives applies individual salary setting.

Citizenship and Security Clearance:

You must be a Swedish citizen as the position is classified. We will therefore conduct a security clearance with a background check according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

About the National Archives

The National Archives' most important question is to ensure that information remains authentic, accessible, and usable today and for future generations. The rapid technological development and digitization have created new conditions for society's information management. In our role as the national archive, we are therefore in strong development to secure long-term information management and digital governance.

Our mission is to ensure society's archival information and make it usable over time. Access to cultural heritage and authentic information that can be used in research, justice, and public insight is fundamental to our democratic society. You can read more about us and our missions at riksarkivet.se.

About Research and Development (R&D) at the National Archives

The National Archives is an R&D authority with a special mission to conduct research and development efforts in the cultural sector. We have long experience in initiating and co-financing research projects in close collaboration with universities and colleges. We are currently developing a new research infrastructure based on the National Archive Database (NAD), aimed at enabling advanced research through the National Archives' open data. We are also an active participant in national infrastructures such as SwedPop, the National Language Bank, and Huminfra. The work is carried out in close collaboration with the National Archives' AI lab but spans several departments. With us, you will be part of a creative and dynamic environment where your contribution makes a direct difference in how future research can be conducted.

In preparation for the recruitment process, the National Archives has made decisions regarding recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore kindly request no contact from media sellers, recruitment sites, or similar.