APPLY TO PRODUCTION
ISSUE PRODUCTION
Applications for issue production roles are currently closed.
ISSUE AUTHOR
Issue Authors compose engaging articles on topics related to neuroscience. They start the production cycle with an article proposal and must be willing to revise their article drafts weekly. The drafts will be reviewed by editors, the production leadership team, and graduate students at the University of Washington to ensure good writing quality and scientific accuracy. The finished piece will be published online and in-print. This role requires no prior experience in the Grey Matters production team. An article proposal is required to apply, which must be a new topic or a new spin on a previously covered topic.
Responsibilities
- Critically assess all edits and commentary from production group editors, leadership team, and graduate student reviewers
- Make weekly revisions based on editor feedback to improve article quality
- Give input to Artists to guide the direction of the article art assets
- Attend production workshops and meetings
- First-time authors must attend at least one Journal Club meeting each quarter
Issue Core Editor
Issue Core Editors lead production groups through the full article cycle, mentoring Authors, Editors, and Artists to produce high-quality work. This role demands strong leadership, editorial judgment, and clear communication to guide structural edits and provide constructive feedback. Core Editors facilitate workshops, monitor progress, and act as liaisons with the leadership team. Organizational skills, time management, and a collaborative mindset are essential for success in this role. This role requires at least two quarters of experience at Grey Matters as an Editor and / or Author to apply.
Responsibilities
- Oversee one to two Authors and two to six Editors
- Lead workshops for their production group during each meeting to understand weekly objectives
- Make large structural edits regarding the overall direction of the article
- Provide useful, constructive feedback to all members of the production group
- Monitor the progress of these articles and act as a liaison between Authors, Editors, Artists, and the leadership team
ISSUE EDITOR
Issue Editors are responsible for being an active member of their production group and providing insightful feedback to Authors throughout the production cycle. This involves reading the article every week before meetings, providing feedback to their respective Author, and going through edits with the Core Editor and Author during production meetings. This role requires no prior experience and is an amazing entry to Grey Matters production team.
Responsibilities
- Provide constructive edits and feedback to authors
- Critically read drafts of articles for scientific accuracy, ease of understanding, flow, and grammar
- Attend production workshops and meetings
- First-time editors must attend at least one Journal Club meeting each quarter
ISSUE ARTIST
Issue Artists are responsible for creating the illustrations that accompany each article in Grey Matters. This role involves a creative and collaborative process, where the artist works closely with their assigned Author to develop a visual concept that accurately and engagingly represents the scientific content. Artists also coordinate with the Art Director to ensure the final pieces align with the journal's artistic vision. This role requires no prior experience and is an amazing entry to Grey Matters production team.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with an assigned Author to brainstorm, conceptualize, and produce illustrations for their article
- Create original artwork in a variety of mediums (digital, traditional, mixed media, etc.) that clearly and engagingly visualizes scientific concepts
- Attend production workshops and meetings as required by the Art Director to discuss progress and receive feedback
- Coordinate with the Art Director to ensure illustrations are completed on time and meet the required specifications for publication
DESIGN OFFICER
Design Officers lead Designers in designing quarterly issues by providing constructive feedback and aiding in any issues with using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Additionally, officers are responsible for designing any pages that are not chosen by designers in order to ensure that issues are being finished in a timely manner.
Responsibilities
- Teach and provide assistance for Adobe InDesign and Photoshop
- Design and complete an article, perhaps multiple, every quarter
- Coordinate with the Design Director to ensure all pages are completed
DESIGNER
Designers are responsible for designing at least one article every quarter for the journal. Additionally, Designers participate in critiques with the entire design team and offer feedback to fellow Designers. This role requires no prior experience in design, Adobe InDesign, or Photoshop, but a willingness to learn and a design sample are required.
Responsibilities
- Design pages using InDesign and Photoshop according to the Grey Matters style guide
- Make appropriate edits to one’s designed article according to feedback
- Attend design meetings to receive and give feedback