Application Guide

How to Apply for Independent Evaluator

at The Unjournal

🏢 About The Unjournal

The Unjournal is a nonprofit that funds and publishes public, journal-independent peer evaluations of quantitative research, focusing on work that informs global priorities. Unlike traditional journals, it rewards reviewers with prizes and commissions, making it a unique platform for researchers to build a credible evaluation portfolio while improving research quality.

About This Role

As an Independent Evaluator, you will submit structured assessments of hosted papers and research projects, scoring their credibility, methodology, and policy relevance using Unjournal's academic or applied stream forms. Your evaluations will be published on PubPub, and strong submissions can earn $500+ prizes, with top reviewers considered for paid commissions, directly shaping the rigor of impactful social science research.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reading a newly posted paper, applying Unjournal's evaluation rubric to assess its methodology and credibility, and drafting a structured evaluation for submission. You might also engage with other evaluators' comments on PubPub or revise your evaluation based on feedback, all while working remotely at your own pace.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for The Unjournal

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who The Unjournal Is Looking For

  • Holds a PhD (or is enrolled in a PhD program) in economics, statistics, political science, or a related quantitative social science field.
  • Has hands-on experience with impact evaluation methods (e.g., RCTs, quasi-experimental designs) and statistical analysis.
  • Demonstrates a strong understanding of research credibility, including threats to validity, pre-registration, and replication.
  • Is motivated by open science and global priorities, and can write clear, structured evaluations for a public audience.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Unjournal

1

Submit a sample evaluation of a published paper (not just a CV) to showcase your ability to apply Unjournal's evaluation criteria.

2

Explicitly state your preferred stream (academic or applied) and explain how your background aligns with it.

3

Highlight any prior peer review experience, especially for journals or platforms that emphasize transparency and reproducibility.

4

If you are a professor, mention your willingness to integrate Unjournal evaluations into your courses as structured assignments.

5

Include links to your PubPub profile or other public writing to demonstrate your ability to communicate evaluations effectively.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific expertise in quantitative social science and how it equips you to assess methodology and policy relevance.', "Your familiarity with Unjournal's mission and how your evaluations can contribute to its goals of improving research credibility.", 'Any experience with structured evaluation frameworks or rubrics, especially those focused on replication and validity.', 'Your interest in building a public evaluation portfolio and potentially taking on paid commissions.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read several evaluations published on Unjournal's PubPub site to understand the expected format, tone, and depth.
  • → Review the Unjournal's 'academic' and 'applied' stream forms to see which aligns better with your skills and interests.
  • → Look into the types of papers Unjournal hosts (e.g., global priorities, quantitative social science) to identify topics you can evaluate confidently.
  • → Check recent prize winners and their evaluations to gauge the quality bar and common strengths.
Visit The Unjournal's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you evaluate the credibility of a study that uses a difference-in-differences design with staggered treatment timing?
2 What are the key criteria you would use to assess the policy relevance of a quantitative social science paper?
3 Describe a time you identified a major methodological flaw in a published paper. How did you communicate it?
4 How would you handle evaluating a paper outside your primary area of expertise?
5 Why do you want to contribute to Unjournal specifically, and how do you see your role evolving?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without a sample evaluation—this role requires demonstrated evaluation ability, not just credentials.
  • Focusing only on statistical significance and ignoring broader issues like external validity or policy implications.
  • Writing overly technical evaluations that are inaccessible to a general audience; Unjournal values clarity and structured feedback.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Unjournal!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →