Board Member for Online Science Journal for Students

The Journal of Emerging Investigators is an open-access journal that publishes original research in the biological and physical sciences that is written by middle and high school students.  JEI provides students, under the guidance of a teacher or advisor, the opportunity to submit and gain feedback on original research and to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

JEI is a non-profit organization run and operated by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors across the United States.  JEI provides the opportunity for graduate students to contribute to the editorial and review process, and management of an academic journal.

Over the last decade, JEI has grown from a few submissions per year to nearly 500 middle and high school manuscript received in 2022. We annually publish over 175 peer reviewed articles in our online journal. Recently we exceeded a record of over 700 articles published with the majority in the last 4 years. While providing thoughtful, age appropriate and educational mentoring is our top priority, we also have research that indicates JEI helps students become connected to the science community, view themselves as scientists and publish their work. The Journal was founded to provide access to underserved students who may not otherwise have access to publish their scientific research.

Board Member Summary

The Board will support the work of JEI and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by JEI’s executive director (ED), the Board-ED relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance and oversight

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as s/he develops and implements JEI’s strategic plan.
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by JEI for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
• Approving JEI’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the ED directed and delivered by the Chair of the Board.
• Assisting the Executive Director and board chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
• Partnering with the Executive Director and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out.
• Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments.
• Representing JEI to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization.
• Ensuring JEI’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities JEI serves.
• Board members report to the Board Chair.

Participation

• Board members are expected to attend a majority of board meetings and indicate when planned absence will be necessary. 
• Each board member will select a committee to join. Options include board development, resources, and programming. 

Time Commitment

• Generally one 90 minute board meeting per quarter and often times a one-hour committee meeting each month.

Who should apply?

• We value people who are interested in our work! We encourage diversity and appreciate professionals from all career fields. Currently, we are seeking accounting, legal, publishing and many other types of experience to aid in the growth of the Journal of Emerging Investigators.

For more information, please email Dr. Sarah Fankhauser, Board Chair, at sarah@emerginginvestigators.org. Your resume, a summary of your professional experience or your LinkedIn profile would also be helpful.

Learn more about the JEI Board by visiting here or visit our website at www.emerginginvestigators.org.