Full-Time Senior Staff Editor PeerJ

This senior position covers 'editorial' matters for the evaluation, peer-review, decision making of academic journal articles. The role also participates in initiatives to grow and develop the editorial program.

In addition, the role helps maintain an effective quality control and peer review process and involves frequent interactions with academics worldwide.

The job holder will be expected to make independent decisions regarding complex editorial matters; will be able to train and mentor new staff; and will be able to advise and deputize for the Publisher.

This role works closely with internal teams and the external Academic Editors and peer-reviewers of our peer-reviewed journal publications.

Key Accountabilities

1. Evaluate incoming manuscripts for adherence to our policies; aims and scope; and editorial standards ("sub scan" and "Summarizing").
2. Liaise with authors to communicate their adherence to our standards.
3. Work with / chase authors to ensure acceptable manuscript submissions.
4. Support, and cover for, other staff Editors at PeerJ in similar roles
5. Comment on, and advise, internal and external stakeholders on scientific and technical issues relating to subject expertise, and editorial standards
6. Respond to specific emails (relevant to the responsibilities of this position) as they come-in, to shared inboxes
7. In collaboration with other team members, responsible for the integrity, speed and smooth running of the PeerJ Peer-Review process – assigning Editors, chasing Editors, chasing Reviewers, research and identify peer-reviewers on behalf of some Editors etc.
8. Strategic input into the development of a strong journal program
9. Input into the recruitment, vetting and ongoing communications with Editorial Board members in a wide range of areas
10. Close collaboration with colleagues in other departments to communicate user needs (i.e. the needs of publishing academics) and to develop and implement strategies to meet those needs
11. Expected to suggest and implement process improvements which will improve the KPIs of the peer-review process.
12. Responsible for the training of junior staff
13. Involved in hiring decisions and new candidate interviews
14. Proactive editorial development of the journals (e.g. proposing and creating new Sections); launching new journal titles etc
15. Proposing, drafting, discussing and implementing new editorial policies, scope, and author instructions
16. Able to manage and handle complex Ethical issues and to advise other staff as needed
17. Intimate knowledge of the standards which are dictated by industry bodies such as COPE and up to date developments in the industry from locations such as Retraction Watch
18. Capable of covering for the Publisher (i.e. the Head of Editorial) as appropriate
19. Fluent in all editorial roles and tasks
20. Work closely with colleagues in the Communities Team and Publishing Operations team.

The jobholder will have

• An advanced degree (minimum PhD, but ideally postdoctoral)
• Excellent English comprehension and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Good analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently, contribute to building a positive team spirit and support everyone’s efforts to succeed

8+ years of experience in STM (‘Scientific, Technical and Medical’) academic publishing in editorial roles

Skills and Behaviours Required

• Capable of understanding complex scientific topics; able to converse with academics on 'their level'; and able to communicate academic concepts to a broader audience.
• Professional and articulate
• Able to analyse, produce, and present management level reporting to senior management
• Capable of handling multiple responsibilities, working independently, and meeting strict deadlines
• The ability to communicate appropriately, both upstream and downstream within the organisation
• Positive and flexible attitude, willing to take on many distinct types of tasks and apply to them the same level of effort and expertise
• Willingness to travel as required by the company
• A high level of personal motivation and demonstration of persistence to overcome obstacles
• Effective presentation and organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills

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