Application Guide

How to Apply for JAMS Editoral Assistant

at American Musicological Society Inc.

🏢 About American Musicological Society Inc.

The American Musicological Society Inc. is the leading organization dedicated to musicological scholarship, publishing the prestigious Journal of the American Musicological Society (JAMS). Working here offers the unique opportunity to contribute directly to advancing academic discourse in musicology while being part of a respected institution that shapes the field. This remote position allows you to engage with cutting-edge research while supporting the scholarly community from anywhere in the US.

About This Role

As the JAMS Editorial Assistant, you'll manage the entire submission pipeline using Scholastica, coordinate communication between authors, reviewers, and editors, and ensure the accuracy of all published content through meticulous fact-checking and citation verification. This role is impactful because you'll be the operational backbone ensuring the journal maintains its scholarly rigor and timely publication schedule, directly supporting the dissemination of important musicological research.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves monitoring the Scholastica dashboard for new submissions, sending reminder emails to overdue reviewers, fact-checking musical examples and historical references in an accepted article, and updating the Editor-in-Chief on submission statuses. You'll spend significant time verifying citations against source materials and coordinating with authors about required revisions, all while maintaining meticulous records of each manuscript's progress through the publication pipeline.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Musicological Society Inc. Is Looking For

  • A detail-oriented researcher with experience in academic publishing workflows, particularly comfortable navigating systems like Scholastica or similar manuscript submission platforms
  • Someone with formal musicology training who can read musical scores fluently and understands citation styles common in music scholarship (Chicago/Turabian, MLA)
  • An organized communicator who can diplomatically manage correspondence with authors and reviewers while maintaining strict deadlines in a remote work environment
  • A self-starter with proven ability to fact-check specialized academic content, particularly in music history, theory, or ethnomusicology

📝 Tips for Applying to American Musicological Society Inc.

1

Highlight any specific experience with Scholastica or similar academic workflow systems (Editorial Manager, Manuscript Central) in your resume - don't just say 'familiar with submission systems'

2

Demonstrate your musicology knowledge by mentioning specific subfields you're comfortable fact-checking (e.g., Baroque music, 20th-century theory, ethnomusicology methodologies)

3

Provide concrete examples of managing complex editorial timelines, especially in remote settings, rather than just listing 'organizational skills'

4

Tailor your application to show understanding of JAMS's scholarly scope by referencing recent articles or special issues you've read

5

Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining close coordination with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with academic publishing workflows and manuscript management systems', 'Examples demonstrating meticulous attention to detail in research or editorial contexts', 'How your musicology background prepares you to verify specialized content and read musical scores', 'Your ability to manage remote communication and deadlines effectively']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read several recent JAMS articles to understand current scholarly trends and the journal's editorial standards
  • → Review the AMS website to understand the society's broader mission beyond journal publishing
  • → Familiarize yourself with Scholastica's platform features and capabilities for editorial workflows
  • → Research the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor's scholarly backgrounds to understand their editorial priorities
Visit American Musicological Society Inc.'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would handle a situation where an author misses a revision deadline
2 Describe your process for verifying obscure historical facts or musical examples in an article
3 How would you prioritize tasks when managing multiple articles at different stages of the review process?
4 What challenges have you faced in remote editorial work and how did you overcome them?
5 How would you handle a disagreement between a reviewer's comments and an author's response?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without demonstrating specific knowledge of academic publishing workflows or musicology
  • Failing to address how you'll manage remote work effectively in a detail-oriented editorial role
  • Using generic application materials that don't reference JAMS, AMS, or musicological scholarship specifically

📅 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 American Musicological Society Inc.!

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