The Times normally expects to take one or two trainees at the beginning of each September. Trainees are offered two-year contracts with the second year conditional on a satisfactory performance in the first.

The Times is looking for originality, intelligence and commitment. That commitment should be evident from experience in school, student or commercial journalism. We are looking for candidates with a love of newspapers who have ambitions to become writers and editors. Traineeships are open to new graduates and those who have completed post-graduate journalism courses. We welcome applicants with a degree in any subject and from all backgrounds.

If you do not have a formal training in shorthand, media law and other technical requirements, a course will be arranged by The Times during the first autumn. Trainees normally spend time as news reporters and after that spend a few months at a time in several other departments.

Salary c. £25,000

Applications Letter and CV plus cuttings of published work (e.g. articles for university magazines). Do not send more than five cuttings. CVs need not be more than two pages; briefest details of work experience will be enough. The number of applications always exceeds 200, so be aware that competition is fierce.

If you are interested, please write with a CV to the Managing Editor, David Chappell, The Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT. Applications should arrive no later than the end of April 2009, the earlier in the new year, the better.

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