Manuscript Cataloger (Urdu, Persian, Arabic)

At a glance

• Rate agreed per projectPaid weekly in USD
• Hourly or per-task contractIndependent contractor · Specialist
• RemoteWork from anywhere with a stable connection.
• Flexible, part-timeChoose your own hours.
• Ongoing, project-based Starts immediately · Rolling applications

Role overview

Describe manuscripts and rare books item by item, so every page we transcribe carries accurate title, author, date, script and provenance.

Key responsibilities

• Write catalog records for manuscripts and early printed books from scans
• Identify title, author, scribe, date and place from colophons and title pages
• Record script, hand, condition and page count in a set template
• Flag uncertain attributions rather than guessing

Ideal qualifications

• Strong reading of at least two of Urdu, Persian and Arabic
• Cataloging experience in a library, archive or research project
• Familiarity with Hijri and other calendar systems used in colophons
• Careful, consistent record keeping

Nice to have

• Knowledge of standard catalogs and bibliographies of Islamicate manuscripts
• Experience with library metadata standards such as MARC or TEI

More about the opportunity

A page is only useful as training or test data if we know what it is. Good catalog records let us balance datasets by period, region and script, and let clients trace every page back to its source.

Compensation and contract terms

• Hourly or per task, in USD. Your rate is agreed per project.
• Hourly or per-task contract. You are engaged as an independent contractor.
• Remote. Flexible, part-time, on your own schedule.
• Paid weekly in USD for approved work.
• Projects can be extended, shortened or ended early depending on project needs and quality.

Application process

1. ApplyCreate a free profile and upload your CV.
2. InterviewAbout 20 minutes. You need a laptop or desktop with a camera and microphone.
3. ID and credential checkWe verify your identity and the qualifications the role needs.
4. Matched to projectsOnce verified, you are invited to paid projects that fit your skills.

Free to apply. Vettedlance never charges candidates, and will never ask you to pay for training, tests or equipment.