Volunteer Board Member for Science Journal

The Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) 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. Because grade-school students often lack access to formal research institutions, we expect that the work submitted by students may come from classroom-based projects, science fair projects, or other forms of mentor-supervised research.

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.

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.

Learn more here.