Production Editor, Antiquity

The Role and the Department

Applications are invited for the post of Production Editor. Antiquity (www.antiquity.ac.uk) is a world archaeology journal publishing archaeological research on all periods, regions, theories and methods. Alongside original research articles, the journal publishes a substantial number of book reviews each year (150+). The purpose of the role is to manage the production process of articles for publication to deliver a world-class service to all users of the journal. Working closely with the Assistant Editor, your main focus will be on the copy-editing of texts, addressing issues of language, style and content, and on the proofreading of texts for spelling, grammar and overall typography. You will provide support for the Editorial Manager, assist as a point of contact for authors, reviewers and general enquiries, and liaising with the publisher to ensure timely publication. You will also provide advice to stakeholders on open access and other aspects of copyright.

Antiquity is owned by the Antiquity Trust, a registered charity, and is produced by Antiquity Publications Ltd in partnership with Cambridge University Press. The editorial office is based in the Department of Archaeology at Durham University and is solely responsible for the academic standards, production, development and management of the journal. Each year, the Antiquity office edits and publishes approximately 2000 pages of print and digital content digital output, serving the global archaeology community.

Antiquity is currently based in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology. Durham is one of the UK’s top Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top three Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, The Guardian University Guide 2022, and one of the top five globally (World University QS rankings 2022). Our expertise covers a broad chronological and geographical span, from the Palaeolithic to the present-day, and from South Asia to the Mediterranean, Europe and the British Isles, We have a strong research presence in the Middle East that embraces fieldwork, visual and material culture studies and bioarchaeology. We have a range of cutting-edge laboratories, including well-developed facilities for isotope and aDNA research, extensive commercial infrastructure, and an established network with the heritage sector. The Department of Archaeology works closely with staff in two Durham University museums: the Oriental Museum and the Museum of Archaeology. These house some outstanding archaeological collections, including East Asian and Middle and Near Eastern material. For further information on our current projects, research and teaching, see www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology .

The working pattern is flexible for days on site, and will be locally arranged with the Line Manager on appointment. 

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. 

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here .

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following: 

•    27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    We offer generous pension schemes. 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria     

Desirable Criteria

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 
 
What you are required to submit:
•    A CV 
•     A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person's Specification  

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact Lindsey Elstub, Antiquity Editorial Manager, at lindsey.elstub@durham.ac.uk .

Typical Role Requirements

Role Delivery

• Overall day-to-day management of the complete post-acceptance production process for Antiquity, including making decisions on issue planning, page budgets and the organisation of production systems.
• Responsible for the copy-editing of all published content in accordance with the journal’s house style in order to provide gospel manuscripts to the journal’s publishing contractor for publication.
• Responsible for ensuring reproduction permissions for all text and images published in the journal and on the website are correct according to UK Copyright law.
• Responsible for manipulation of published illustrations using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator (sizing/resolution/formatting/layout) for provision to the journal’s publishing contractor for publication.
• Responsible for proof-reading all published articles, Project Gallery articles and reviews section articles
• Resolve production queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members. 
• Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience. 
• Deliver support services to ensure the effective and efficient running of journal processes and systems. 
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery to ensure compliance with editorial and professional procedures and standards. 
• Update data and information on systems and media for recording, storing, communicating and informing service users and team members. 
• Analyse data and statistics and provide reports for higher level decision makers, including the Editor and Editorial Manager. 
• Accurately record information and data and disseminate within internal networks including the journal owners and publishing contractor on an annual basis, or in the absence of the Editorial Manager. 
• Prepare written reports for consideration by management where required.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams. 
• Organise and schedule resources, activities and events. 
• Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success. 
• Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources. 

Teamwork

• Act as a more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members. 
• Collaborate with team members to implement service alterations. 
• Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision. 
• Provide training to team members on data handling and recording. 

Communication/Networking

• Collaborate with colleagues across professional and administrative areas to ensure seamless service provision. 
• Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience in accordance with policy and procedures.  
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service. 
• Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users. 
• Provide demonstrations and instruction to others outside the team. 
• Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally, contributing to effective collaborative working. 
• Advise others and make recommendations into work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services. 
• Work with internal and external partners to deliver cross-functional services and activities. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team. 
• Provide more in-depth independent research and analysis activities within the role. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy and procedures within own area of working. 
• Any other reasonable duties. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas