Editorial Assistant

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

An esteemed geographical society in South Kensington, London is looking for a part-time (0.4 FTE) administrative support worker to assist with the academic publishing process. This role needs strong organizational and communication skills, offering flexibility with home working options. The salary ranges from £30,065 to £31,740, pro-rated to £12,026 to £12,696. Applications close on 11 December. Join a team dedicated to advancing geographical education and research.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

25 days annual leave pro-rata

Pension scheme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee assistance helpline

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and communication skills required.
• Interest in contemporary academic geography preferred.
• No specific educational qualifications stated.

Responsibilities

• Screen and process submitted papers to ensure correct formatting.
• Liaise with the Managing Editor about ethical publishing standards.
• Maintain records of submitted papers in Excel.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of academic geography

Job description

About Us

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education.

The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning - supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers. We work with a wide range of audiences including teachers and pupils in schools, academics and researchers in higher education institutions, professional geographers in the workplace, and researchers and expeditioners in the field, as well as members of the public with a curiosity about our world.

About the Role and You

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the academic peer review and publishing process and provides an excellent opportunity to work with the academic community. The role is ideally suited to someone with very strong organisational and communication skills and an understanding of and interest in contemporary academic geography.

The Society publishes five peer‑reviewed geography journals, four of which are managed by the Society’s Managing Editor: Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers (TIBG), The Geographical Journal, Area, and Geo: Geography and Environment. This role will provide administrative support for the transition from ScholarOne to Research Exchange screening and review platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Screen and process submitted papers and communicate with authors to ensure correct formatting, anonymity, word length, and responses to reviewers.
• Screen for AI‑generated submissions and references and liaise with the Managing Editor to ensure papers meet ethical publishing standards for consideration.
• Maintain a record of all submitted papers in an established Excel spreadsheet format.
• Screen accepted papers and communicate with authors to ensure corrected files are uploaded for production.
• Send post‑publication emails to reviewers and authors.
• Support the Managing Editor in setting up new workflows for Research Exchange.
• Potentially support with finding and inviting peer reviewers.

Salary and Benefits

This is a part‑time (0.4 FTE), six‑month fixed‑term post subject to a successful six‑week probationary period. The salary range is £30,065–£31,740 per annum (pro‑rata to £12,026–£12,696 per annum) depending on experience and qualifications. The role is based in South Kensington, London, with options for home working.

• 14‑hour working week with core working hours between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.
• Flexible working arrangements, including home working.
• 25 days annual leave per annum plus public bank holidays for full‑time staff, pro‑rata to 10 days per annum.
• Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
• Pension scheme – 3 % employee, 7.5 % employer.
• Group life assurance at four‑times basic annual salary.
• Corporate eye‑care vouchers.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Free 24‑hour employee assistance helpline with available counselling support.

Location and Working Hours

Location: South Kensington, London – with option for home working.

Hours: 0.4 FTE (two days per week, preferably Monday and Tuesday).

Contract: 6 months, fixed‑term.

How to Apply

Applications must be received by 9.30 am, 11 December. Interviews are planned to take place in the week commencing 15 December.

Interested? Click the apply button to be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Society aims to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applicants from communities traditionally underrepresented in the geographical discipline.

No agencies please.