Editor (Lexicography): Oed

OUP has been a leading figure in publishing for more than 500 years. We have always been a forward-looking organization, but the digital revolution is bringing enormous change, fast. That same spirit of adventure and entrepreneurialism is critical to our future success. In a fast-changing publishing landscape, OUP welcomes the inquisitive, the inventive, and the ambitious; people who challenge the conventional, and pioneer the possible.  
The Academic Division is the largest division of OUP, and responsible for academic publishing around the world including dictionaries and reference, higher education, scholarly, professional and trade books, journals, and online products.  
Oxford Languages is a department of Oxford University Press and is the world’s leading dictionary publisher. Our world-class language research programme builds on over 150 years of experience and technological innovation to deliver authoritative, evidence-based content in more than 50 languages.  
From bespoke language datasets to self-service APIs to our flagship Oxford English Dictionary (OED), all Oxford Languages content is uniquely curated and delivered by our expert team of lexicographers, linguists, and language technologists to the highest of standards.  
The Oxford English Dictionary (www.oed.com) is the premier reference work in its field, documenting the English language from the Middle Ages to the present day. A team of 70 lexicographers and researchers, based mainly in Oxford, is currently updating the full text of the dictionary.

About The Role

We are looking for an entry level lexicographer to join the team of lexicographers working on the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Lexicographers are required to research the origin, meaning, and usage of a word and to create dictionary entries which convey the essential details to a general readership.  Your job would be to conduct lexical research and add quotation evidence to the OED, to revise existing OED entries, and to draft new entries and definitions for the OED; with your initial focus in the first year being lexical research and adding quotation evidence.
Candidates may be required to answer a set of questions testing the ability to distinguish between senses of a word. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete an aptitude test and may be called for interview. Interviews will take place virtually over Teams. 

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office. 

About You

If you’re interested in English language research or lexicography, have some familiarity with the history of the English language, and have demonstrable experience of using various resources to investigate or research a topic for a degree, professional qualification, or for work or personal interest, then this could be a great opportunity for you.

The successful candidate will be able to: 

• Distinguish when the same word is used with different meanings
• Retrieve and assimilate information in diverse fields
• Demonstrate a practical, discerning approach to research
• Write clearly and concisely in a style accessible to a general readership
• Produce consistently high-quality and accurate work to tight deadlines
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of English, including syntax and grammar
• Demonstrate a proven interest in language, whether academically, professionally, or in another sphere
• Show a willingness to learn to use historical databases or other linguistic tools (e.g. corpora)
• Work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
• React positively to constructive feedback

Benefits

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies. 

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts. 

This role comes with a discretionary annual bonus. 

Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.

Queries

Please contact tobi.ogunnaike@oup.com with any queries relating to this role. 

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.