Historian/Documentary Editor, Joseph Smith Papers

Job Description: The Joseph Smith Papers seeks a full-time historian/documentary editor with the academic training, research, and writing skills to edit Joseph Smith?s papers. The Joseph Smith Papers is producing a comprehensive edition of Smith?s documents featuring complete and accurate transcripts with both textual and contextual annotation. The scope of the project includes Smith?s correspondence, revelations, journals, historical writings, sermons, legal papers, and other documents. Besides providing the most comprehensive record of early Latter-day Saint history they will also provide insight into the broader religious landscape of the early American republic.

Duties will include document analysis (research regarding the intention, production, transmission, and reception of documents); composition of source notes and historical introductions; writing of annotation to provide appropriate context and to clarify or explain passages; regular participation in team meetings and project committees; and professional development. The Joseph Smith Papers is a highly collaborative project; the successful applicant will work in a team environment with other historians and production editors.

Qualifications: PhD or doctoral candidate in history, religious studies, or a related field is preferred. Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: documentary editing, paleography, textual studies, archival management, antebellum American history, American religious history, early Mormon history. Demonstration of excellent writing and research skills required. The successful applicant will be able to adhere to rigorous schedules and produce work of the highest professional standards, and therefore must exhibit attention to detail, efficiency, flexibility, good interpersonal communications, and the ability to work in an academic environment that requires personal initiative and collaborative competence. Must be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, currently temple worthy. Competitive salary based on experience. Expected start date July 1, 2015.

Please send letter of application, vita, writing sample, and three letters of recommendation to Joseph Smith Papers Search, c/o Kiersten Olson, Church History Library, 15 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150. Applicants must also complete an on-line application found at careers.ldschurch.org, posting 116203. Applications due by January 12, 2015.