BAAS is currently redeveloping its website and moving American Studies in Britain to an online publication, in the form of a blog and email digest. This new digital platform will allow for a more timely circulation of information about research supported by the Association, events run by the Association and its members, and news and issues of concern to the American Studies community. The new website will provide an easily navigable and interactive space that will be more useful for BAAS members, as well as showcasing their achievements to the American Studies community and beyond.

In order to facilitate these digital developments, the Association seeks a part-time editorial assistant to develop content for the website and produce American Studies in Britain as an online email digest, in conjunction with members of the BAAS Executive Committee. The salary for the role will be £2640 per annum, to be paid quarterly. The role will average 6 hours work per week, although this may vary over the course of the year. Postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers are warmly invited to apply.

The Editorial Assistant’s tasks will include:

• Working alongside the BAAS webmaster and the Exec to develop content for ASIB blog, produced by members of the association. This may include: travel reports, conference reports, discussions of current issues in research and teaching.
• Uploading this content to the website and distributing it as a quarterly email digest to BAAS members
• Uploading other relevant content to the BAAS website, e.g.: Calls for Papers, Job Advertisements.
• Maintaining a calendar of events, drawn from the weekly BAAS emails
• Assisting with BAAS’s social media presence
• Meeting with the BAAS webmaster from time to time to discuss future developments of and current issues with the website.

Skills Required

• Interest in the research and teaching of interdisciplinary American Studies, and knowledge of BAAS and the American Studies community in the UK.
• Computer literary and basic knowledge of WordPress: training will be provided, and knowledge of website building and coding is not required.
• Good organisational skills, to ensure that deadlines for contributions are met, online publications are issued on time, and content is regularly updated.
• Strong communication skills in order to liaise with the BAAS Exec and contributors to the website.
• Proofreading skills.

Applications should take the form of a CV (including the contact details of a referee), and a cover letter of no more than 1 page explaining the applicant’s interest in and suitability for the position. These should be sent as Word (or compatible) attachments in a single file to Louise Cunningham at l.j.cunningham@keele.ac.uk.

Informal enquiries about the role should be addressed to Katie McGettigan at katie.mcgettigan@baas.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 13 February 2015.