Editor (Casual)

Durham University; North East; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Durham University is seeking an Editor (Casual) in the Department of History. The role pays £15.13 per hour and encompasses editing, author liaison, and budget-related negotiations for a 140-hour contract.

The successful candidate will be a current PhD student registered at Durham University, supervised by at least one History Department member, and will work within editorial guidelines and legal requirements. This flexible role supports a diverse and inclusive recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Editing to house style and editorial guidelines.
• Budget-related negotiations.
• Rights-approved image sourcing and legal compliance.
• Proof-reading and evaluating articles after designers’ formatting.
• Managing own workload and meeting project deadlines.
• Co-ordinating work of colleagues to meet timelines.
• Liaising with authors, departments and external providers.
• Participating in day-to-day decision making within responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Generate concepts for articles and edit to guidelines.
• Persuade authors to contribute articles.
• Undertake budget-related negotiations.
• Obtain rights-approved images and ensure legal compliance.
• Proof-read and assess editorials after layout.
• Manage workload and timelines for assigned projects.
• Coordinate team work to meet deadlines.
• Liaise with authors and departments to deliver.
• Make day-to-day decisions and contribute to cooperative decisions.
• Identify improvements to service and propose recommendations.

Skills

Editing

Budget negotiations

Rights clearance

Proofreading

Project management

Stakeholder liaison

Editorial guidelines

Education

PhD student in History at Durham University

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Job Description - Editor (Casual) (26001391)

Job Description

Department of History

Grade 5 : - £15.13 per hour

Casual/Atypical (Fees) - Atypical

Typical/Contracted Hours : 140 (between all posts)

Closing Date

02-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historical setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a vast variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, that is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here .

The below role descriptor seeks to capture the main requirements of the role consistently, providing a summary of the key duties of the flexible role to help in setting expectations for applicants, flexible workers and line managers. They are not intended to cover all duties which may be required.

At present we are specifically looking for a candidate who is a current PhD student registered at Durham University, with the majority of their supervision coming from at least one member of the Department of History.

Role

Editor

Grade 5

Responsibilities

• Generate concepts for articles and review and edit articles in accordance with editorial guidelines.
• Persuade authors to provide articles.
• Undertake budget-related negotiations.
• Obtain rights-approved images and document compliance with applicable laws and regulation.
• Proof-read and assess articles which have been formatted by the designers.
• Take responsibility for own workload and timelines, delivering assigned projects in line with agreed objectives.
• Delegate and coordinate the work of colleagues to meet relevant timelines.
• Liaise with authors, internal departments and external providers to ensure effective delivery.
• Take responsibility for day to day decision making within your areas of responsibility, and input into collaborative decisions regarding articles.
• Address and resolve any problems that arise within your areas of responsibility.
• Provide a reactive and proactive service to others, identify possible improvements to your service and make recommendations to others.

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]