Seeking Associate Editor, Journal of Music Therapy

Job Description Associate Editor, Journal of Music Therapy

The Journal of Music Therapy seeks applicants for Associate Editor. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) invites applicants for one open position as Associate Editor for research manuscript reviews.

The Journal of Music Therapy (JMT) is a forum for authoritative articles of current music therapy research and theory, including book reviews and guest editorials. Its mission is as follows:

The Journal of Music Therapy seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. Its mission is to promote scholarly activity in music therapy and to foster the development and understanding of music therapy and music-based interventions. To this end, the journal publishes all types of research, including quantitative, qualitative, historical, philosophical, theoretical, and musical, and may include discipline, profession, and foundational research topics. The journal strives to present a variety of research approaches and topics, to promote critical inquiry, and to serve as a resource and forum for researchers, educators, and clinicians in music therapy and related professions.

The Associate Editor (AE) for research manuscript reviews is responsible for managing the peer review process for research manuscripts submitted to the JMT and assigned to the AE. Applicants for one forthcoming open position are sought to join the current Associate Editors as part of the editorial team.

The Associate Editor (with a focus on manuscript review) is a volunteer position responsible for assisting with and managing the peer review process for research manuscript submitted to the JMT. The Associate Editor selects and assigns reviewers, manages the review process, determines review outcomes, and supports authors.  A central requirement is the ability to edit and work with authors on manuscripts, understand the research perspective, methodological integrity, and overall writing quality of each submission. Associate Editors will meet periodically with the lead Editor and other AEs (conference call) and attend the annual Editorial Board meeting held during/around the AMTA national conference.

Term of Service

The term of service coincides with that of the lead Editor through 2022 and is subject to extension in cooperation with the lead Editor. This position is planned to begin orientation in May, 2021 with a gradual assumption duties.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reviewing Manuscripts: The Associate Editor -

• receives articles for review;
• sends articles for review to selected members of the Editorial Board or to outside reviewers, as deemed appropriate to topic of article;
• collects reviewer comments and makes editorial decisions about submitted manuscripts in a timely fashion;
• assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for assigned manuscripts and accepts, rejects, or requests revisions of articles;
• in cooperation with the Managing Editor, checks all manuscripts for completeness of content, proper format, permission to use copyrighted material, and any other requirements for publication;
• ensures reviews are impartial, fair, and adhere to principles endorsed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE); and

• preserves the confidentiality of the review process.

Corresponding with Authors: The Associate Editor maintains all professional communications with assigned authors and reviewers within ScholarOne; serves as the point of contact for assigned authors; and, answers author inquiries about status of the submission.


Production: The Associate Editor - checks the final manuscript making sure all information is included before moving the document to production for proof editing and type setting.

Teamwork: The AE participates as a member of the editorial team consisting of the EIC, AEs, Managing Editor, and publisher (Oxford University Press contacts).

Applicant Qualifications

• An active publication record
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in an editorial role (e.g., journal editor, book editor, thesis/doctoral supervision)
• Experience with peer review processes (e.g.,  a reviewer)
• Prior service on the JMT Editorial Board (preferred, but not required)
• Demonstrated ability to work on a team
• Desire and ability to dedicate allocated time each week to Associate Editor responsibilities
• Ability to participate in ad hoc editorial team working conference calls
• Desire to serve as an ambassador for AMTA and the music therapy profession
• Professional Membership. Current professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association is provided gratis as a benefit of service to the journal and the mission of AMTA.

Electronic letters of interest and a CV should be submitted to:

Dianne Wawrzusin, Administrative Services Coordinator, AMTA

Subject line: Associate Editor JMT Search Team

Dianne@musictherapy.org

Letters of interest are invited immediately and should be received no later than 5:00 PM ET on April 7, 2021.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Blythe LaGasse, Editor (Blythe.Lagasse@colostate.edu) for more detailed information regarding the position.

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