NONDUKE STUDENT/INTERN

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Book Acquisitions Student Job

Duke University Press

 (2025-Spring)

Duke University Press (DUP) seeks a student majoring in the humanities or social sciences (graduate students strongly preferred), to work with our Book Acquisitions team for approximately 6 to 8 hours per week for the remainder of this academic year, and possibly beyond. We are happy to accommodate teaching commitments, class schedules, etc.

The selected graduate student will work remotely under the supervision of DUP staff members who also work remotely. Applicants should be available to complete their 6–8 hours of work per week in 2 or 3 shifts, during the general timeframe of 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Student applicants must be currently enrolled and must reside within North Carolina throughout the entire term of their DUP employment.

We’re seeking a graduate student who is able to start immediately and continue through the summer of 2025, and possibly beyond. Both work-study and non-work study students are welcome to apply. The pay rate for this position is $17/hour for graduate students and $16/hour for advanced undergraduates.

Duke University Press publishes 150 books per year, on subjects such as anthropology, religion, political theory, history, cultural studies, African-American studies, film and television studies, and science studies. The Book Acquisitions group reviews and solicits manuscripts, decides which books to publish, then corresponds with authors throughout the process of revision and preparation of the manuscript for production.

Student positions primarily involve administrative work essential to preparing books for the publishing process, requiring great attention to detail. The job provides early exposure to some of the cutting-edge academic work our authors produce. In addition to learning how an academic book is brought into the public realm, you’ll also obtain excellent experience with publishing terminology and protocols.

Duke University Press is strongly committed to fighting racism and to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We welcome applicants who share this commitment.

Primary Job Duties Include:

• Logging new projects into a database and drafting rejection emails for declined book proposals
• Drawing up book contracts and requesting advance payments for authors
• Reviewing bibliographies submitted by authors
• Organizing and formatting manuscripts, art, and permissions in preparation for copyediting
• Preparing packets for the Editorial Advisory Board of Duke faculty
• Writing book summaries and chapter abstracts
• Reading, summarizing, and anonymizing peer reviews

Education/Training:

• Remote position, but students must reside within N.C. for the entire term of their DUP employment
• Applicants must be a graduate student or advanced undergraduate, in the humanities or social sciences
• Both work study and non-work study positions are available

Experience:

• No prior experience in publishing or administrative work is required
• Attention to detail is important for success in this student job
• Successful applicants will possess intellectual curiosity, the capacity to think creatively, and the ability to engage academic work, regardless of their main field of study
• Interest in and knowledge about the books Duke University Press publishes is a plus

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.