The Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS) at American University seeks to hire an assistant or associate editor for the Correspondence of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore. This documentary editing project aims to locate and publish, in print and online, the letters written by or to the twelfth and thirteenth U.S. presidents from 1844 to 1853. It is supported by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the Watson-Brown Foundation, and the Summerlee Foundation. For more information, see www.taylorandfillmore.org.

Essential Functions

• The new editor will contribute to all stages of the project’s work. These include locating, accessioning, and imaging letters; transcribing manuscripts; proofreading transcriptions; researching and composing annotations; indexing volumes; formatting materials for intake by digital and print publishers; and reviewing proof.
• The new editor also may assist in the preparation of grant applications and the supervision of student assistants.
• Work will be done remotely and will not require residence in the Washington, DC, area. Occasional travel to manuscript repositories, however, may be required.

The successful candidate will be hired as an assistant or associate editor, depending on experience and qualifications, and as a CCPS faculty fellow.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Part time
• 27 hours per week
• This grant-funded position, to begin April 1, 2021, will come with adjunct-level benefits. Continuation of the position beyond January 2022 is dependent on the renewal of grant support.

Required Education and Experience

• Candidates should have experience in documentary editing and a master’s or doctoral degree in history, or a related field, with specialization in nineteenth-century America.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, FileMaker Pro, Cindex, Drupal, TEI, and online primary source databases would be helpful.
• General comfort with computer operation and willingness to learn this software are essential.
• Reading knowledge of French, Spanish, or other languages also would be helpful.

Review of applications will begin on March 8th, 2021. See full details and apply at https://careers.american.edu/Staff/job/Washington%2C-D_C_-Faculty-Fellow-DC-20016/718838200/. Include a letter of application, curriculum vitae with three references, and samples of your editing or writing totaling no more than thirty pages. Please address any questions to Michael David Cohen, editor and project director, at mdcohen@american.edu.