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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.

The Role and the Department

Applications are invited for the post of Assistant Editor for the Antiquity journal. Antiquity (www.antiquity.ac.uk) is a world archaeology journal publishing archaeological research on all periods, regions, theories and methods. The primary purpose of the role is to prepare and edit manuscripts that have been accepted for publication by Antiquity. Your main focus will be on the preparation and editing of texts, including academic content, and copy-editing, addressing issues of language, style and length. You will also provide support with checking author revisions, proofreading and image preparation. You will thrive under pressure in a busy, deadline-driven office environment.

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 as 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.

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 fantastic benefits:

• 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 discounts 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, inclusion and values

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 asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

1. *A degree in archaeology or a closely related discipline, or equivalent experience.

2. *Experience with publications practice, including copyediting and proofreading, and evidence of personal development to maintain skills.

3. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

4. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including image-editing software (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud)

5. A high level of attention to detail (e.g. when copyediting)

6. The ability to handle confidential information with discretion at all times.

7. Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders and colleagues.

8. The ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.

9. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.

10. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience or understanding of academic practice in the higher education environment.

2. Experience or understanding of the peer review process.

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

Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact Lindsey Elstub, Editorial Manager, at [email protected].

Typical Role Requirements

Role responsibilities

• Prepare and edit scholarly papers submitted to Antiquity, to address issues including length, academic content and language.
• Provide copy-editing services to support the production of the journal.
• Use an online submission system to check revised papers for adherence to requested revisions.
• Use standard office-based IT systems, tools and equipment to carry out data recording, communications and networking, and use image-editing software (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud) to credit and edit publication-quality images and maps.
• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members.
• Along with team members, deliver support services to ensure the effective and efficient running of editorial processes and systems to support Antiquity stakeholder activities.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery to ensure compliance with regulatory and professional procedures and standards to process, check and reconcile editorial information sets.
• Compile, record, store and archive data and information to ensure the accuracy and safety of information.
• Monitor data accuracy checks to identify anomalies and ensure the integrity of data and information.
• Analyse data and statistics and provide reports for higher level decision makers where required.
• Prepare written reports for consideration by management where required.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Knowledge and Experience

• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
• Provide 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.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload
• Organise and schedule resources, activities and events.
• Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success, and liaise with the Production Team Leader and other staff to plan and implement improvements as appropriate.

Service Delivery

• Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience.
• Update data and information on systems and media for recording, storing, communicating and informing service users and team members.
• Accurately record information and data and disseminate within internal networks including committees.

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

• Contribute to a community of practice by providing training and support to others outside the team (including student placements and interns) around editorial best practice.
• 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, stakeholders and professional organisations 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.
• 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 https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ 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.