Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The recently launched Program in Public Scholarship in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis is looking to hire an editorial specialist to work with faculty and graduate students on projects intended for general audiences and to develop a network of editors and contacts at prominent venues that are interested in public scholarly work. Candidates should have experience identifying projects that have strong potential across Arts & Sciences disciplines and be able to shape engrossing, informative narratives out of research programs, teasing out the public relevancy of scholarly work. The editorial specialist will work with WashU scholars on specific projects, including essays, articles, interviews, op-eds, and books intended for trade markets. Especially of interest are applicants who have prior experience with science publications or science-themed channels or lists. Our editorial specialist will join a dynamic new team in a fast-paced environment, working on this signature initiative to advance public scholarship across Arts & Sciences.
Job Description
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Identifies projects with strong potential and shape engrossing, informative narratives out of research programs, drawing out the public relevancy of scholarly work.
- Meets and works with individual faculty across Arts & Sciences who show strong potential for public scholarly work to develop and shape public-facing projects.
- Assists individual faculty in pitching and drafting essays, articles, interviews, op-eds, and books intended for trade markets.
- Focuses on translating scholarship from the natural and/or behavioral sciences.
Works with the Public Scholar team, Marketing & Communications, and departments across Arts & Science.
- Collaborates with a range of stakeholders to ensure projects are brought to completion and shared across networks.
- Creates consistent messaging for faculty participants, campus leaders, and the marketing & communications team to clearly broadcast the success stories emerging from the program.
- Works on campus and in the office regularly to help create an atmosphere of synergy and support for faculty interested in public scholarship.
Facilitates workshops for faculty from different disciplines to bring their work to public audiences.
- Designs and implements workshops with editors, agents, and/or publishers from a spectrum of different publishing entities.
- Assists scholars at different levels of rank and promotion to understand how public scholarship can energize and feed into their academic research programs.
- Teach the importance and differences between pitching, submitting, revising, working with editors, and meeting tight deadlines.
Activates contacts with and build network of venues or media entities for potential public scholarly dissemination.
- Cultivates a network of editors and presses, wide-angle as well as across disciplinary foci, that are open to public scholarship.
- Builds relationships with science-themed platforms to increase broad impact potential for scholars in the natural and behavioral sciences.
- Collaborates with the team and outside editors to develop and edit pieces for a branded online magazine for the rapid publication of short-form writing that emerges from the program.
Works closely with a broad spectrum of writers, editors, and publishing platforms, on projects at many different stages.
- Conducts interviews with faculty to tease out high-potential print projects (whether books or short-form).
- Amplifies a variety of voices and diversify perspectives of public scholarly impact.
- Edit and manage a wide range of projects (articles, essays, and manuscripts) from developmental stages to line edits, and help move pieces from first drafts to publication.
- Train and mentors student workers who have expressed early interest in editing and/or public scholarship.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions
- This position is located at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (some remote work possible).
- This position is a two year time limited role.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in a relevant field and five to seven years of related professional experience.
- Experience working with both scholars and professional editors (particularly of interest is experienced with experts in the natural and/or behavioral sciences).
- Ability to grasp discipline-specific information and help authors reframe and rephrase for general audiences. Especially valuable will be a proven record of written and/or edited projects that reflect this translation of big ideas or nuanced concepts for wide readership.
- Collaboration skills conducive to building productive relationships with partners and stakeholders throughout the university and across publishing networks.
- Active contacts with editors, publishers, and/or agents, especially in the fields of science publications and trade presses with strong lists in the natural and/or behavioral sciences.
- Experience editing projects from concept to developmental to line edits.
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines while delivering high-quality work.
- Ability to do background research and fact-check when necessary.
- Competency in MS Office and Google apps.
- Ability to manage multiple projects to ensure timely completion and achieving strategic goals.
- Superb editing skills, including the ability to shape stories as well as catch errors in spelling, grammar, and factuality; abide by editorial style; impose brand-specific voice and tone; and improve clarity and comprehensibility.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex, team-oriented environment.
- Ability to work independently, be creative, and exercise initiative.
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines while delivering high-quality work.
Applicant Instructions
- Apply through Workday with a cover letter addressed to Christopher Schaberg, as well as a resume/CV.
- Finalists will be asked to provide a list of three references with contact information.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and three years of related experience.
Grade
G09
Salary Range
$44,700.00 - $73,800.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.