Field Notes Editor

Estimated time commitment: 4-8 hours per month

Position Description

The Field Notes Editor leads the editorial direction of Field Notes, the science communication journal of Women in Science PDX. This role combines editing, science communication, and creative strategy to help grow a publication that informs, inspires, and showcases the voices of our STEM community.

Working with contributors from a variety of backgrounds, the editor manages the editorial process from submission through publication, ensuring each piece is polished, published, and promoted to the WIS PDX community. Whether planning seasonal themes, highlighting timely topics, or encouraging new voices, the editor plays a key role in making Field Notes a publication people are excited to read and contribute to.

Key Position Responsibilities

• Review incoming submissions for quality, clarity, scientific accuracy, and alignment with the Field Notes editorial guidelines.
• Edit accepted submissions while preserving each author's voice and communicating revisions professionally and collaboratively.
• Submit editorial marketing requests for accepted submissions, coordinating with the Communications support teams to ensure each published piece is promoted through social media, newsletters, and other WIS PDX communication channels.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Field Notes contributors throughout the editorial process.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar, identifying opportunities for seasonal themes, awareness months, current events, and emerging topics in science and STEM.
• Help shape the long-term editorial vision and strategy for Field Notes, including identifying new content formats and opportunities for community engagement.
• Develop and maintain the Field Notes publication schedule, coordinating accepted submissions and publication timelines.
• Publish accepted submissions to the Field Notes online journal using the WIS PDX website content management system.
• Maintain submission records, editorial workflows, and documentation.
• Attend monthly Communications Committee meetings.

Ideal Experience

We're looking for someone who enjoys both writing and editing and is passionate about making science accessible to a broad audience. Helpful experience includes:

• Editing or writing articles, newsletters, blogs, magazines, or other publications
• Science communication, journalism, technical writing, or content strategy
• Working with contributors, authors, or creative teams
• Project management or editorial planning

You do not need professional editorial experience—we welcome volunteers who are excited to learn and help build something meaningful.

What You'll Gain

As the Field Notes Editor, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Build and lead an editorial publication from the ground up.
• Gain experience with editorial strategy, content planning, and publication management.
• Develop skills in editing, science communication, and collaborative leadership.
• Work with scientists, educators, students, artists, and science communicators from across the WIS PDX community.
• Help shape how science is shared within—and beyond—the Portland STEM community.