Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Archaeology
Title: Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Archaeology
Reports to: Executive Director
Term: Three-year term beginning spring 2026, with optional two-year renewal
Date posted: November 2025
The American Journal of Archaeology (AJA) was founded in 1885 and is the distinguished, peer-reviewed scholarly journal of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). The AJA is published quarterly in print and electronic forms (see www.ajaonline.org).
The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the AJA reads initial submissions, decides whether to assign them to peer reviewers, oversees the peer review process, works with authors to improve their manuscripts, and determines whether the final version is publishable. The EIC develops an editorial vision and solicits manuscripts consonant with that vision. The EIC works closely with the Managing Editor and editorial staff as well as with the AIA’s Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs.
The EIC appoints an Editorial Advisory Board, represents the journal at the AIA Annual Meeting, serves as an ex officio member of the AIA Governing Board, and provides written and oral reports on the status of the journal to the AIA Governing Board. The EIC oversees a part-time Editorial Assistant and the work of two independent contractors: the Book Reviews Editor and the Museum Reviews Editor.
The EIC serves as an independent contractor for a term of three years, with an optional two-year extension. Compensation includes an honorarium, some support for a course release, and coverage of registration, hotel, and airfare for attendance at the AIA Annual Meeting. The workload has quarterly peaks but should remain at or below 20 hours per week.
Required Qualifications
- An established scholar with a Ph.D. and a demonstrated record of publication.
- Research and publication interests consistent with the mission and scope of the AJA.
- Strong writing skills and demonstrated editorial experience; experience working with early career scholars to prepare work for publication.
- Discretion and good judgment regarding receiving peer reviews, evaluating their content, and passing that information along to authors.
- Administrative and project management experience; respect for deadlines.
- Strong interest in the future of academic publishing and the development of a vision for the AJA.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and willingness to learn how to use Editorial Manager.
- Ability to work remotely for a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Preferred Qualifications
- Archaeological field experience in the geographic area covered by the scope of the journal.
- Sufficient experience in publishing to anticipate and understand issues related to image permissions, anonymity in peer review, the AIA policy on the publication of unprovenanced artifacts, changing ideas of acceptable terminology, etc.
- An academic appointment in an appropriate university/college department, museum, or other relevant unit.
To apply, please submit the following to aja@archaeological.org by January 12, 2026:
- Cover letter expressing reasons for interest in the position, outlining the vision for the journal, and summarizing qualifications
- CV
- Copies of two peer-reviewed publications (no more than a total of 100 pages)
- Phone and email contact information for three people who can serve as professional references
Review of application materials begins immediately; shortlisted candidates will be contacted in January 2026 to schedule video interviews. For questions, please contact Meg Sneeringer, Managing Editor, at msneeringer@archaeological.org. The AJA is committed to upholding the AIA’s goals of advocacy and accountability, and we especially welcome applicants from groups who historically have not been represented in the field of academic publishing.
About the AIA
The Archaeological Institute of America was founded in Boston in 1879. Since its beginning, the Institute has functioned both as a professional organization for archaeologists and as a membership organization with lay members. We now have over 6,000 members organized into a network of 105 Societies. Since 1948 the AIA has published the highly regarded bimonthly popular magazine ARCHAEOLOGY with a readership of more than 700,000 and the acclaimed scholarly publication the American Journal of Archaeology. The AIA is an educational organization offering financial support to scholars, an Annual Meeting for the exchange of ideas and information, and a wide-ranging public education program for inquiring minds of all ages. Visit archaeological.org to learn more.
The AIA is committed to equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants for employment and employees are reviewed on their individual qualifications for a position. Under no circumstances will the AIA discriminate against qualified individuals on the basis of race, color, religious creed, retaliation, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, disability, mental illness, genetics, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law. The AIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing discrimination in the Boston and New York offices.