Curiosity is USU’s student-led undergraduate research journal, and we’re looking for an Editor-in-Chief to lead it. You’ll recruit an editorial board of faculty and student reviewers, manage the submission and review process, and see each issue through to publication in USU’s Institutional Repository alongside USU Libraries.
Responsibilities
- Recruit an editorial board from USU faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students
- Set deadlines, manage the submission forms, and maintain the website
- Develop advertising and communication plans for the call for submissions
- Handle all correspondence with authors, the editorial board, and USU Libraries
- Screen submissions for baseline formatting, returning to authors for revision as needed
- Manage the review process, following up with reviewers and routing to the editorial board by subject-area expertise
- Format, finalize, and publish each issue with USU Libraries
Award Details
The Office of Research will give one $500 scholarship to the Curiosity Editor-in-Chief, renewable each semester (including summer). This is a nonqualified scholarship, meaning that it can be reimbursed to the student if they do not have a balance due in Banner. The award will be disbursed when the student initially accepts the offer by signing an agreement, and during the first week of each semester thereafter.
Eligibility
- Enrolled as a USU student with 6+ credit hours for Fall and Spring semesters
- No summer enrollment required if enrolled the following Fall semester
- All majors and degree types welcome
- Minimum 2.0 GPA each semester in role
Application Process
Any interested students must complete an online application form. The selection committee will review these on a rolling basis starting on September 30, 2026, until an award has been made. Applications will be accepted until that time.
The application will include:
- Contact information
- An unofficial transcript
- A current resume or CV including any prior research experience
- Two short essay questions
- Two academic references
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff from the USU Libraries and Office of Research.
Selection Criteria
The Editor-in-Chief will be selected based on undergraduate research experience, demonstrated writing and communication ability, professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to supporting the student research community at USU. Preference will be given to students who have prior experience in research dissemination (including presentations and publications), leadership activity, or academic excellence.
A scholarship selection committee comprised of USU Office of Research and USU Libraries faculty and staff will make award decisions.
Terms & Conditions
This scholarship must comply with all USU related policies, in addition to any applicable federal, state and local laws.
- Each member of the scholarship committee will be current on their FERPA training, have an active Conflict of Interest form registered with USU, and are not students or donors. The committee will make the award offer for this scholarship.
- The Office of Research will process the funding for the student who accepts the award.
- All documentation relating to this scholarship will be maintained for a minimum of six years and accessible for any internal audits.
- Appeals are required to request an exception to the terms and conditions of any accepted scholarship or to dispute the retraction of an award offer. Under Utah State University Policy 4201 appeals are required to request an exception to the terms and conditions of any accepted scholarship or to dispute the retraction of the Editor-in-Chief award offer.
- The student must officially accept this scholarship by signing an agreement outlining the terms of the scholarship prior to disbursement of funds.
Applyto be the Editor-in-Chief, Curiosity: The Undergraduate Research Journal