Job Opening: JAMS Editorial Assistant Job Part Time Term or Contract

The American Musicological Society seeks a part-time Editorial Assistant for the Journal of the American Musicological Society (JAMS), its flagship journal. This position provides an immersive experience in the world of academic publishing and the peer-review process. It provides extensive and meaningful first-hand engagement with current, high-quality, and wide-ranging musicological scholarship.

The Editorial Assistant is expected to:

• Manage the submission process using the web-based workflow management system Scholastica
• Correspond with authors and reviewers, in coordination with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing
• Editor, regarding submissions of articles and revisions
• Fact-check all accepted articles as directed
• Check all citations in accepted articles for accuracy

Required skills and knowledge

The ideal candidate will be a graduate student in musicology at the ABD stage. Those who have recently completed a PhD in musicology will also be considered. The work is done remotely; interaction with the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, reviewers, and authors will be remote. Qualified applicants must be residents of New York State, but may live and work anywhere in the state. Full access to a strong research library is required. Workload varies based on the editorial calendar, but averages sixteen hours per week.

Candidates are also required to have:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Strong written communication skills
• Strong research skills
• Broad knowledge of the discipline, including the ability to read musical scores

Benefits

This position receives paid holidays and sick time. A 401K account is available after six months vesting and comes with a 10% employer contribution. This is a part-time job and does not provide health insurance.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English is required. Applicants must be able to read musical scores. Reading proficiency in other languages, particularly French, German, Italian, and Spanish, is highly desirable.

Additional information

The JAMS Editorial Assistant is named on the masthead of each issue of JAMS. The Editorial Assistant works directly with the Editor-in-Chief, but is formally supervised by the Society’s Managing Editor, and works under the ultimate authority of the Executive Director.

This is a twelve-month appointment, with an anticipated start date of March 16, 2026. Prospective candidates must commit to work through March 15, 2027. After that point, the position may be renewable for an additional year. The workload varies somewhat over the course of the journal’s annual cycle but averages approximately sixteen hours weekly.

Job Type: Contract

Education: Master’s Degree Required

Experience Level: Entry level

Salary: USD $18,000 / year

How To Apply

Interested individuals are invited to apply for this job using Idealist.org. All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. Applications are due 13 February 2026. For more information about this position, please contact the AMS office at ams [at] amsmusicology.org.