The online journal AoB PLANTS welcomes applications for the part-time position of Social Media Editor.  Published by Oxford University Press, AoB PLANTS is an open-access journal that has been publishing peer-reviewed articles in all aspects of basic and applied plant biology since 2010, with an intensifying focus on environmental biology (http://aobplants.oxfordjournals.org).  Submitted manuscripts undergo rigorous double-blind evaluations and articles are published online within days of acceptance.  At present, authors are not charged open-access fees but a modest one will be initiated in the future.  The journal is indexed in Web of Science as well as other Thomson Reuters products, and its first Impact Factor Score will be released in June 2014.  AoB PLANTS is the sister journal of Annals of Botany, which has been in operation for over 125 years.  Both journals are owned and operated by the Annals of Botany Company, a non-profit organization established in 1903.  

AoB PLANTS already has a presence in social media but wants to intensify these efforts.  The journal has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AoBPLANTS) and Twitter account (https://twitter.com/AoB_PLANTS) and contributes regularly to the AoB Blog (http://aobblog.com/).  In addition, the journal’s publisher, Oxford University Press (OUP), is quite active in social media and welcomes posts from AoB PLANTS (https://www.facebook.com/OUPAcademic; https://twitter.com/OxfordJournals; https://blog.oup.com/).  

Duties of the Social Media Editor

The Social Media Editor of AoB PLANTS will be charged with maintaining and expanding the journal’s presence in social media, with the general objective of increasing the journal’s visibility, influence and reputation.  Duties will include the following:

• Maintaining and developing content for Facebook and Twitter.  
• Generating posts for the AoB Blog and various OUP outlets.
• Developing new features on the AoB PLANTS website.
• Searching media for relevant news and articles to post.
• Developing content and strategies for outreach to the scientific community, including listserv postings. 
• Identifying opportunities for cross-promoting the AoB PLANTS brand with other journals or organizations.  
• Compiling reports measuring the effectiveness of social media strategies (clickthroughs, traffic activity, etc.).

Criteria for This Position

The Social Media Editor should have a graduate degree (preferably a Ph.D.) in biology with demonstrated research experience in some area of the plant sciences.  He/she must also have:

• In-depth knowledge of social-media tools and applications. 
• Excellent computer, web, and software skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with the Chief Editor, Managing Editor, and members of the editorial and publishing staffs. 
• Ability to work independently and proactively with minimal supervision.

Hours and Compensation

The appointment for the Social Media Editor will be 6–8 hours weekly.  Salary level will be negotiable and based on previous experience.  Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in environmental biology, which is a major area of focus for AoB PLANTS.  The ideal candidate for this part-time position will be a practicing plant biologist with an institutional appointment.  He/she need not be based in a specific location, but preference will be given to applicants located in California (to facilitate interactions with the Chief Editor and Managing Editor).  

If interested in this position, please send a cover letter and CV to the Chief Editor of AoB PLANTS (Dr. Hall Cushman, [log in to unmask]) and Managing Editor (Gail Rice, [log in to unmask]), outlining your background and interests in the position.