Assistant Editor

$63,960 - $66,560/Yr

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena, CA

Part-time - Entry Level

Pasadena, CA

Educational Services

About the position

The Assistant Editor position at Caltech involves providing editorial support for the Einstein Papers Project, which is dedicated to researching and publishing The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein. This role requires a collaborative approach, working within a team to transcribe and typeset hand-written manuscripts and printed documents in multiple languages, including English, German, and French. The position demands a high level of detail and accuracy, as the Assistant Editor will be responsible for deciphering complex scientific texts, equations, and tables, ensuring that all transcriptions are meticulously proofread and checked against original manuscripts and databases. In addition to transcription, the Assistant Editor will carry out bibliographic research, checking references and publication dates for historical materials. The role also involves using specialized software for transcriptions, such as Latex and Adobe FrameMaker 11, alongside standard applications like Microsoft Word and Excel. The Assistant Editor will organize electronic files into comprehensive electronic book files, which may contain thousands of documents, ensuring that all records are accurate and well-maintained. This position is ideal for someone who is well-organized, patient, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. The successful candidate will possess strong written communication skills and be a cooperative team member, adhering to the highest standards of professionalism. The role offers the opportunity to engage with significant historical documents and contribute to a prestigious academic project.

Responsibilities

• Transcribes handwritten and typed primary historical sources, including complex scientific texts, equations, and tables in several languages.
• Meticulous proofreading of English and foreign language documents, checking against databases and original manuscripts.
• Checks formulas and scientific notation, making necessary corrections.
• Compares authorized and unauthorized reproductions and translations of original texts.
• Carries out bibliographic research, checking references and publication dates for historical materials.
• Uses dedicated software for transcriptions, including Latex and Adobe FrameMaker 11, as well as Word and Excel.
• Works with extended spreadsheets, entering data and correcting records in web-based catalogs.
• Proofreads documents, comparing original sources to transcribed documents, making corrections, additions, and deletions.
• Organizes electronic files into electronic book files containing approximately 2,000 separate documents.

Requirements

• BA or equivalent degree.
• 4 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience with transcribing and proofreading multilingual technical documents.
• Mastery of the Microsoft and Adobe suite of applications.
• Familiarity with databases and scientific historical editorial best practices is desirable.
• Good reading knowledge of German and French.
• Knowledge of library catalogs, including JSTOR and Web of Science.
• Well organized, meticulous, patient, and able to follow instructions and guidance.
• Willingness to acquire new project-specific skills.
• Strong written communication skills with colleagues and collaborators; cooperative team member with high standards of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly with minimum supervision; capable of setting priorities and using discretion.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with scientific historical editorial best practices.
• Experience with bibliographic research and checking references.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Onsite counseling for non-benefit eligible employees.