External Science Editors

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GreenFacts, a growing independent Brussels-based organization communicating unbiased scientific information on the web, wishes to work with external science editors for short-term assignments.

Assignment: Writing (or proof-reading) summaries of scientific consensus documents on health and environment to be posted in three levels of increasing detail on the internet (www.greenfacts.org).

Upcoming topics for which external editors will be needed include Psychoactive drugs, Carbon storage, Ozone and climate change, AIDS, Multiple drug resistance in Tuberculosis, etc.

Assignment description:

Writing the first draft summaries, based on the Q&A structure of a preliminary canvas prepared by GreenFacts;
Reviewing language changes proposed by GreenFacts to the first draft;
Reviewing a series of improvements proposed (first by two stakeholder pre-reviewers then by three scientific peer-reviewers).

In parallel, you will also be asked to propose or review a list of links to a few recommended websites, as well as glossary definitions.

For examples of completed summaries visit: www.greenfacts.org.
For further details see the guidelines for editors.

Duration of assignments:

A complete assignment usually requires about 6 to 12 working days. The most time intensive being the preparation of the first draft. The full process from drafting, through review to final publication is expected to stretch over a period of 6 months or less.

Shorter 1-day assignments are possible for language reviews.

Payment:

For the time spent working on an assignment, GreenFacts pays a daily fee (depending on experience and level of scientific expertise) with an absolute maximum (for an assignment as a whole).

Requirements:

Academic background, preferably in science or engineering;
Demonstrated ability to understand scientific jargon and to communicate complex information effectively in a language for non-specialists;
Language skills: excellent English
(in specific cases, for instance when proofreading translations, French, Spanish or German could be valuable);
Specific expertise in the environment or health topic covered by the reference document to be summarised
Computer skills, particularly in Word (track changes) and email communication. Experience in web communication is a plus.
Good organizational and time management skills. Sufficient priority must be given to the GreenFacts assignment to make time available for rapid email feedback throughout the editing and reviewing process.