Harris-Stowe State University is hiring: Administrative Assistant - Editor in St

Overview

Administrative Assistant - Editor role at Harris-Stowe State University. This limited-time position is funded by a grant. The focus is on preparing research manuscripts and media for publication related to studies on the generational and gestational effects of light pollution on pregnancy. The role includes maintaining lab mini-articles for media promotion and liaison between lab members and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Establish a brand for the lab within the academic space.
• Manage the submission process to academic journals and ensure adherence to journal guidelines and formatting requirements.
• Refine and improve manuscript drafts in collaboration with researchers; assist in preparing figures, tables, and references.
• Edit and proofread manuscripts for clarity, grammar, and scientific accuracy.
• Maintain and store manuscripts and data for future use.
• Prepare laboratory reports and presentations; provide guidance and support to senior faculty and undergraduate researchers in grant development and delivery.
• Other duties as indicated by the PI of the grant.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Biology, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent grammar skills.
• Familiarity with academic publishing standards and guidelines.
• Proven experience in scientific editing and writing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent grant writing skills.
• Works well with EndNote, Trello, Canva and Office 365.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Scientific Writing and Editing: knowledge of scientific writing and publishing standards; familiarity with manuscript submission processes.
• Neurological Terminology and Concepts: understanding of neuroscience topics and methodologies.
• Citation and Reference Management: familiarity with APA, Chicago, AMA styles and EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley.
• Publishing Platforms: experience with manuscript submission portals and the stages of submission, peer review, revision, and acceptance.
• Ethical Guidelines and Compliance: awareness of authorship criteria, conflicts of interest disclosures, and plagiarism checks; familiarity with IACUC where applicable.
• Project Management: ability to manage multiple drafts and timelines.
• Basic Neuroscience Concepts: foundational knowledge to understand manuscript content.

Skills

• Administrative Coordination: scheduling, correspondence with editors, and document management.
• Writing and Editing: ability to refine drafts for clarity and accuracy.
• Manuscript Formatting: formatting according to journal guidelines, preparing figures, tables, and references.
• Collaboration and Communication: liaise between researchers, co-authors, and editors; manage revisions and feedback.
• Time Management: prioritize tasks and meet submission deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: ensure consistency and adherence to guidelines.
• Software Proficiency: MS Office, Google Docs, and manuscript submission tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Asana).
• Data Organization: manage figures, tables, and supplemental materials.

Abilities

• Adaptability: adjust to different journal requirements and submission systems.
• Understanding Scientific Content: summarize and translate complex scientific content into clear language.
• Collaborative Problem Solving: work with researchers to resolve issues during manuscript preparation.
• Professional Discretion: handle sensitive data with confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Proactive and Self-Motivated: work independently and drive tasks to completion.
• Process Management: track manuscript progress and inform stakeholders of deadlines.
• Multi-Tasking and Prioritization: manage multiple projects with competing priorities.

Working Conditions

• Work is typically performed in an interior/office environment with very limited exposure to physical risk.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds; light physical work as needed.

Important Notices

• "Please No Phone Calls" — due to high volume of applications, phone inquiries regarding status will not be accepted. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
• EOE Statement: Harris-Stowe State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it limited to all duties and responsibilities. Harris-Stowe reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities as needed.