Call for editing services | deadline 31 May

About the ISC

The International Science Council (ISC) works at the global level to catalyse change by convening scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major importance to both science and society.

The ISC is an international non-governmental organization with a unique global membership that unites 250 international scientific unions and associations, national and regional scientific organizations including academies and research councils, international federations and societies, and young academies and associations.

Background

The ISC regularly produces strategic reports, briefs, and policy papers aimed at diverse audiences across the science and policy spectrum. The selected editors will support the ISC by refining the structure, clarity, and readability of such publications, ensuring alignment with ISC style and messaging, while preserving technical accuracy.

The edited materials are typically aimed at international diverse audiences and often emphasize policy relevance, clarity, and inclusivity of global perspectives.

Services required

This is a freelance, contract-based opportunity.

The selected candidates will join a pool of approved ISC editors to receive future editing requests. Assignments will be offered on an ad-hoc basis, depending on upcoming projects and communications needs.

ISC editing needs vary from light-touch proofreading to more substantive editing to revise structure, coherence and clarity.

Required capacities

• English fluency (native or near-native)
• Proven experience in editing scientific or technical materials
• Ability to adapt complex content for diverse audiences
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Familiarity with international scientific organizations and global policy contexts is an advantage.

All writing must align with ISC’s editorial tone, reflect global perspectives, and clearly convey complex content in an accessible, policy-relevant way. Writing will include non-sexist language, appropriate referencing (hyperlinked sources), and consistency in spelling and tone.

Content produced for the ISC should follow clear, inclusive language, minimize technical jargon where possible.

Submission guidelines

Interested individuals or agencies are invited to submit an expression of interest by 31 May 23:59 UTC, including:

• A brief professional profile (maximum one page), highlighting relevant experience
• Up to 3 examples of previously edited work (before-and-after samples, if available)
• Daily or per-word editing rates
• Usual response and delivery times
• Indication of availability

Criteria for evaluation

The ISC will assess offers on the following criteria:

• Editorial experience and qualifications
• Relevance of previous work to the ISC’s areas of work
• Clarity and quality of past works
• Reasonable and commensurate rates based on experience and scope of work.

The ISC strongly encourages submissions from writers in low- and middle-income countries.

Application form

Please fill out the application form below.

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First name *

Last name *

Email address *

Company (if applicable)

Professional profile (maximum one page) *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Edited work samples *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload up to 3 examples of previously edited work. Before-and-after samples are preferred.

Daily or per-word editing rates *

Usual response and delivery times *

per-word and rates

Availability *

Submit

Contact

For any questions, please contact Zhenya Tsoy.

Zhenya Tsoy

Zhenya Tsoy

Head of Communications

International Science Council

Zhenya Tsoy

Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash