The University of Washington Center for Human Rights (UWCHR) invites applications from UW undergraduates interested in forming part of our research team. We are recruiting 1-2 interns to support our work to declassify U.S. government documents related to historic human rights violations in El Salvador and elsewhere in Latin America.
Since its founding in 2009, UWCHR’s Unfinished Sentences project has conducted research in partnership with Salvadoran survivors organizations to document historic war crimes committed during the armed conflict in El Salvador. Evidence obtained through this project has been cited in the Salvadoran courts and used in historical memory processes and research publications. This work entails filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and appeals, processing and cataloging incoming declassified documents from various sources, and maintaining accurate internal records to support UWCHR research and litigation. Researchers will receive training in FOIA and other processes and will work under the supervision of UWCHR staff.
Strong proficiency in comprehension of Spanish language documents is REQUIRED. This is a good opportunity for students with interest or experience in human rights, 20th-century U.S. and Latin American history, archival and library science, and data management. It requires great patience and extraordinary attention to detail; willingness to comply with often-dull bureaucratic procedures; and an interest in questions of government transparency and freedom of information.
The position starts Spring quarter 2026; a commitment through the 2026-2027 academic year is desired.
REQUIRED:
- Currently enrolled undergraduate students at UW Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma are eligible to apply
- Extremely detail-oriented, organized, and reliable
- Strong comprehension of written Spanish
- Ability to commit 10-15 hours per week during the 2026-2027 academic year (ideally to begin in spring 2026)
- Ability to work independently, in collaboration with a research team of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students
- Willingness to commit to project confidentiality agreement
- US citizenship/permanent resident status is NOT REQUIRED.
Compensation/perks:
- The internship can be taken for credit
- $3,000 quarter stipend
- Provides hands-on research experience
- Possibly could lead to involvement in other areas of research, depending on student’s interest and skills
To apply, send a cover letter and cv/resume to uwchr@uw.edu
Apply soon; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.