Research Assistant, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics

Reporting to the Chief Editor (Line Manager) of International Political Sociology, one of the flagship journals of the International
Studies Association (ISA) who is based at Queen’s University Belfast, as well as the Co-Editors (based at the University of Warwick
and Arizona State University), the post holder will be required to collaborate with a team of international scholars (the Editorial Board;
the Associate Editor; the Communications Team) in the management, publication and marketing of original research submitted by
international scholars worldwide. To undertake general administration involved in the effective functioning and online processing of an
international peer-reviewed journal.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. To collaborate with the Chief Editor and Co-Editors concerned in the processes of evaluating and revising, editing and
sub-editing the c.200 original articles annually submitted from international scholars, to ensure that the contributions selected for
publication in the journal are of the highest research quality, and go to press in conformity with the journals’ formal and stylistic practices.
2. To assist the Chief Editor and two Co-Editors in determining the make-up of the journals’ contents; in particular, to ensure that
all regular issues of IPS include articles representative of the diverse body of work of the IPS community worldwide.
3. To assist in coordinating the editorial, administrative and other tasks of the Chief Editor, Co-Editors and other editorial
participants as a whole, so as to achieve the smooth day-to-day management of the journal and the fulfilment of its production deadlines.
4. To use the Scholar One database by overseeing the digital submission, review and decision process of all articles;
communicating regularly with Chief Editor and Co-Editors on the progress of articles through the system; communicating
regularly with authors and reviewers; assisting the Chief Editor and Co-Editors with drafting decision letters; and liaising with
Scholar One to streamline the editorial work-flow and keep up to date with online developments.
5. To liaise regularly, under the supervision/direction of Chief Editor and Co-Editors, with the production staff of the journal’s
publishers (Oxford University Press) to bring about efficient and timely publication of all the journal’s issues.
6. To liaise regularly, under the supervision/direction of Chief Editor and Co-Editors, with the copy-editor to ensure all final
submissions are sent to OUP in conformity with the journals’ formal and stylistic practices.
7. To assist the Chief Editor in managing the budget of IPS by liaising with QUB finance, the International Studies Association, the
Faculty of AHSS and other relevant bodies.
8. To arrange and service the annual meeting of the editorial board at the ISA conference, and to produce relevant documentation
for the annual ISA meeting (i.e. the annual report; financial statements).
9. To assist the Chief Editor, Co-Editors and all editorial participants in the promotion, marketing and distribution of IPS through
conference participation, online communication and website development.
10. To continue to develop professionally by maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of the diverse subject specialisms that constitute the field of IPS.
11. To perform any other journal-related duties, in research editing, assistance and administration as assigned by the Chief Editor
(Line Manager), Co-Editors and other editorial participants.

Planning and Organising:

1. Responsible for planning and prioritising own workload on a day-to-day basis within the work schedule of the Chief Editor and
Co-Editors in order to meet the requirements of the job.
2. Responsible for planning on a short term/medium term/long term basis to meet predetermined research, editing and publishing schedules.
3. Responsible for planning of future research and publication projects (e.g. collective pieces) in collaboration with the Chief Editor,
Co-Editors and other editorial participants.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

1. To assist the Chief Editor in ensuring that the finances are appropriately and efficiently managed and monitored.
2. To be responsible for the maintenance and upgrades of software and office equipment as may be required for editing/producing
the journal; to liaise with HAPP, AHSS and the QUB computer IT Desk regarding office equipment and software where appropriate.

Internal and External Relationships:

1. Collaborate day-to-day with the Chief Editor (Line Manager), Dr. Debbie Lisle; the Co-editors (Dr. Vicki Squire at Warwick and
Professor Roxanne Doty at Arizona State University); the Associate Editors, Communications Team and Editorial Board based
at various international universities
2. Engage diplomatically and professionally on a regular basis with scholars world-wide who contribute their research to the
journal, averaging c200 submissions.
3. Liaise with the Production Team, Marketing, Website Development and Promotions Team at Oxford University Press who are
responsible for publishing and marketing the journal’s 4 issues annually.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

1. A 2.1 degree in International Relations, Sociology or cognate area of International Political Sociology.
2. Academic knowledge and experience of the field of International Political Sociology.
3. Relevant experience in an editorial role within a professional environment.
4. Relevant IT experience ie: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Dropbox and Adobe Acrobat.
5. Experience of monitoring budgets and resources and an understanding of financial management.
6. Experience of committee servicing.
7. IT literacy and up to date practical experience of relevant software packages including Microsoft Office in a working
environment, Dropbox, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
8. Analytical skills and ability to analyse complex information to problem solve and / or inform decision making.
9. Ability to communicate with and relate to others at all levels both internally and externally.
10. Excellent writing skills with the ability to take a critical and analytical approach to reviewing documentation.
11. Effective presentation skills.
12. Excellent interpersonal skills.
13. Planning and organisational capabilities with ability to manage deadlines.
14. Ability to work independently with a high level of self-motivation, whilst also working in a wider team.
15. Ability to problem solve on own initiative.
16. Candidates must demonstrate willingness to engage in continuous professional development.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

1. A PhD in the general field of IPS.
2. Experience working on collaborative projects such as research grants.
3. Experience of working with online production systems such as Scholar One.
4. Experience in writing and presenting reports.