JOIN OUR TEAM!

applications for the 11th edition will open next academic year

POSITION descriptions

chairperson

The Chairperson will oversee all aspects of the SMJ and liaise with the UCD Medical Society. This includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

  • Planning and executing the timeline for the journal edition from article submission to publication

  • Preparing and updating guidance documents (ex. Author Guidelines, Peer Reviewer Handbook)

  • Team member training (chairpersons, officers, peer reviewers, etc.)

  • Ensuring all financial aspects are covered and working with the treasurer to secure funding

  • Working with the PRO team to ensure all journal activities are highlighted on social media and events are run smoothly

  • Oversee editing, design, formatting and publication of the journal

In addition to ensuring the current edition of the SMJ runs smoothly, they will lead the team and ensure all other team members thrive in their roles. Previous leadership and research experience are strongly encouraged.

VICE CHAIRPERSONS

VICE CHAIRPERSON - JOURNAL

The Vice Chairperson – Journal will oversee all research aspects of the SMJ. They will coordinate the content of the SMJ from article submission, to peer and faculty reviewers, to final publication. They will work closely with the Vice Chairperson – Secretary to ensure funding is obtained and social media/events reflect the current state of the journal, and with the Chairperson to ensure all aspects of the journal are running smoothly. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the publishing and design aspects of the journal, providing support to the respective Officers, coordinating the timeline of submission and review, and facilitating continuity across the content and design. They will coordinate and be supported by the Publishing Officer, Design Officer, Peer Reviewers, and Content Reviewers. Although not required, individuals with previous research publishing experience are encouraged to apply.

vice chairperson - treasurer

The Vice Chairperson – Treasurer will oversee all monetary aspects of the SMJ. The Treasurer will work closely with the Journal team to proactively obtain funding to cover all SMJ-related costs. With the help of the Chair, they will create a detailed budget and reach out to potential donors. They will work closely with the MedSoc Treasurer to ensure all funding received and reimbursements provided by the SMJ follows MedSoc guidelines. Previous year costs include journal design, website maintenance, events, and thank-you gifts. They will coordinate and be supported by the Event Reps.

pro

The PRO will be responsible for UCD SMJ’s online and on-campus presence, creating a robust and prominent presence both in the online and physical community. They will ensure the SMJ Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts are regularly updated, and coordinate relevant events either online or in-person throughout the year. The PRO will also coordinate the launch party of the publication of the journal. They will coordinate and be supported by the Social Media Reps.

officers

publishing officer

The publishing officer will work with the Vice Chairperson – Journal to coordinate submissions, author communication, and peer/faculty review communication. Their main role will be to keep track of submissions at each stage of the publishing process and ensure the final content of the journal is up to the highest standard. The publishing officer will also facilitate peer review and content review applications. They will work closely with the Design Officer to ensure that the transition from content to publication is seamless. They will coordinate and be supported by the Peer and Content Reviewers. Although not required, individuals with previous research publishing experience are encouraged to apply.

design officer

The design officer will identify and work with a graphic designer to create a vision for the journal. Responsibilities include identifying a theme for submission, ensuring the final product is completed within the timeline, and providing a first point of contact for the contracted designer. They will work closely with the Publishing Officer to ensure all design aspects align with the content of the journal.

Reps

social media rep

The Social Media Rep will be in charge of posting to the UCD SMJ’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. The Rep will highlight journal events, weekly series related Med Soc and UCD events, and everything in between on our social media platforms to engage our community. You will work closely with the rest of the executive team to ensure the SMJ has a unified voice. You will create innovative ways to interact with our current followers and gain new ones, while promoting scientific, evidence-based research and building excitement for the upcoming edition of the SMJ. You will find creative ways to bring a fun, social aspect to the SMJ!

event rep

The Event Rep will support the PRO with running upcoming SMJ events, from journal club to invited talks to launch party. This will include coordinating content for these events, identifying prospective speakers, and ensuring all of our events run smoothly. Experience in event coordination is encouraged.

artist and Website Rep

Do you have a knack for creating fun graphics and want to support the UCDsmj with your talents? We are looking for an artist to coordinate with our Events and Social Media reps alongside the PRO to create images to use on Instagram posts, event posters and more! Experience with Canva or Photoshop is encouraged. You will also be responsible for taking care of the website including creating new graphics as needed.

other team members

peer reviewer

Peer reviewers will anonymously analyze 2-3 submissions to the SMJ to determine if the piece is suitable for publication. Please see the Peer Reviewer Handbook for more information.

content reviewer

Content reviewers will ensure all approved submissions are free of grammatical and spelling errors, and that all information is correct. They will be responsible for 1-3 submissions. Previous research experience is not required. Applications will open in Spring 2023.

design team member

Design team members will work with our Design Officer to create the final layout and appearance of the journal. Members will be responsible for formatting articles to fit within the overall design. This is a great role for anyone interested in research with a creative edge! Applications will open in Spring 2023.

what does the smj do?

The UCD Student Medical Journal (SMJ) is an annual peer-reviewed journal published by medical students at University College Dublin at the end of each school year. Our goal is to highlight the incredible work of UCD students, while also providing an opportunity for students to gain experience in the world of academic medical publishing. UCD students from all faculties are encouraged to submit a broad range of articles, from original research to commentary to artwork, to be published in the SMJ. Submissions undergo a strict review process, from editorial committee, peer reviewers, and faculty reviewers before publication.

The SMJ team coordinates all aspects of the publication and promotion of the journal. Our team is composed of a broad range of research-focused and secretarial positions, with the whole team working together to ensure the final publication is both high-quality and shared widely. Read on for more about each role!