Assistant Editor – Research Publications

The Research Editorial team manages papers from pitch through peer review. RUSI’s Publications team manages and delivers a wide range of research and membership outputs, including approximately 80 to 100 research publications per year, which combine scholarly rigour and policy relevance. The team supports the delivery of content for RUSI members, including the RUSI Journal, a leading peer-reviewed academic journal, and current awareness content such as RUSI Commentary, providing insights and analysis on international affairs, defence, and security.

The Assistant Editor – Research Publications manages the delivery of longform research papers, some in pdf format on our website and some as webpages. The role includes setting the publication schedule, liaising with stakeholders (including authors, the team’s graphic designer, the Communications team, and printing houses), and managing the editorial process, including editing the paper and tasking editorial freelancers and colleagues with other editorial stages. The Assistant Editor will also be involved in projects to improve processes, systems, and outputs.

Key tasks:

• Project-manage academic research papers from author handover to publication, including scheduling, allocating tasks, and meticulously tracking and managing projects using project management software.
• Copy-edit and proofread academic research papers, applying house style, rigorous fact-checking, and editing for sense, grammar, and impact.
• Manage relationships with expert in-house and external authors and stakeholders, using negotiating and influencing skills where necessary.
• Work with the team’s graphic designer and authors to ensure effective presentation of graphics elements in RUSI research publications.
• Input changes to proofs, typeset publications in InDesign, and upload finalised publications in a content management system.
• Provide editorial support for other Publications team work, as directed by the Director of Publications.

This is a full-time position requiring at least two working days in the office each week, although this is subject to change. All staff are expected to abide by and promote RUSI’s Vision and Values and Equal Opportunities Statement.

Person specification:

Essential skills and experience:

• A strong interest in and understanding of international affairs, ideally including defence and security.
• Proven experience of copy-editing and proofreading to a very high standard on technical and/or academic longform content.
• Experience project-managing publications from author handover to delivery.
• Experience working in a high-performing team.
• A forensic eye for detail, excellent spelling and grammar skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiating skills.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• The ability to spot and raise substantive queries during the editing process.
• Proven experience of publishing content in content management systems.

Desirable skills and experience:

• A degree or similar in a related field.
• Editorial experience on an academic journal or other academic content.
• Experience instructing and working with suppliers.
• Experience using software such as InDesign, Drupal, and Infogram.
• The ability to source compelling imagery.
• Experience of using AI tools to support tasks and processes.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service).
• Additional days off during Christmas.
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution.
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Free access to RUSI's events and research materials.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.

At RUSI, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and creating inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other.