The Royal Musical Association invites applications for the post of Editor of the Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle, following the completion in January 2025 of the terms of Dr Eva Moreda-Rodriguez and Dr Florian Scheding, who share the role of current Editor.

The Research Chronicle’s aim is to publish submissions from all areas of music research that make extensive use of primary sources such as recordings, digital-borne files, results of ethnographic work, and/or archival materials. The journal is published online, and submissions of any length (with a recommended length of up to 15,000 words), are considered, including short essays, position papers, forums and roundtables, and material in non-written formats such as video and audio. Submissions that make use of extensive apparatus such as indexes, catalogues, inventories and calendars are also welcome and can be in addition to the recommended article length. All articles published in the Research Chronicle undergo rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and refereeing by at least two anonymous referees. Further information about the aims and scope of the journal are available from the RMA website and the RMARC pages of the Cambridge University Press website.
 
Job Description 
The Editor has responsibility for selecting and preparing for publication academic content of the highest quality for the journal: they are the key figure in the publication process. The Editor organises anonymous peer review, as well as seeking, commissioning, and developing articles and other features for the journal, maintaining the highest quality in both content and form. They ensure accepted articles and features are delivered to the Publisher in good order and to agreed deadlines, working in collaboration with the Reviews Editor and the Production Team at CUP.
 
The successful candidate may be expected to:

• Undertake initial evaluation of submissions to assess their appropriateness for the journal.
• Ensure that appropriate external readers are found for submissions and that the double-blind review process proceeds as smoothly as possible.
• Communicate feedback to authors clearly and in a timely manner, so as to ensure submissions progress efficiently through the evaluation and revision process.
• Undertake editing of accepted articles, working constructively with authors and the journal’s production team to produce finished content of the highest quality.
• Contribute to the development of additional alternative-format submissions for online-only publication.
• Encourage submissions from scholars at all stages of their careers, including by attending appropriate national and international conferences to promote the journal to prospective authors.
• Attend RMA Publications Committee meetings three times each year (currently January, May and September), producing progress reports in advance as appropriate.

The Editor reports to and is a member of the Editorial Board of RMARC, and ofthe Publications Committee of the RMA, and is entitled to attend meetings of the RMA Council.  The Editor is expected to be a member of the RMA during their tenure (though not necessarily at the time of application).

The Editorship is normally a five-year appointment in the first instance, the first year of which is probationary. The post attracts an honorarium of £1,948 p.a. This post may be shared between two candidates on a 50:50 basis. If you are interested in applying for the role as a job-share, please make this clear in your application.

Person Specification 
The Editor will be able to demonstrate the following essential knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications:

• A higher degree in musicology
• An appreciable and on-going record of publications in musicology, especially in archival research
• Experience of editing of academic content
• A knowledge of musicology and related disciplines and subdisciplines
• Knowledge and awareness of the wider academic community

The Editor should demonstrate vision, leadership, creativity, sound planning skills (including a keen eye for emerging directions in musicological scholarship), strong management skills (liaising with authors and the production team, robust quality assurance in relation to manuscripts, and the production of each issue), along with good communication skills.

Informal enquiries should be directed to the current Editors of RMARC, Dr Eva Moreda-Rodriguez (eva.moredarodriguez@glasgow.ac.uk) and Dr Florian Scheding (florian.scheding@bristol.ac.uk).

Applications should be sent by email labelled “Application Editor RMARC” to Chair of the Search Committee, Prof Caroline Rae (rae@cardiff.ac.uk) and should comprise the following:

• A curriculum vitae (maximum 4 sides A4)
• A covering letter outlining details of the candidate’s relevant experience and expertise in relation to the person specification, and their visions for the journal’s development
• Names and contact details of two referees

 
The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Monday 14 October 2024. Interviews will be held online in early November (date tbc).
 
We particularly encourage applications that reflect the full diversity of music studies and from individuals who self-identify as members of groups that are often under-represented in the RMA and music academia more broadly.