Freelance Managing Editor: MD/PhD (Gastroenterology)

Cactus Communications Pvt. Ltd.; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility: Set your own work hours

Job summary

Cactus Communications Pvt. Ltd. seeks project-based Managing Editors with an MD/PhD in Gastroenterology and 3–5 years of research experience, actively involved in academia or clinical practice.

The role emphasizes independent decision-making post-peer review, maintaining journal standards, and collaboration with internal teams to ensure timely manuscript processing. Candidates should have English-language publications, familiarity with editorial systems (ScholarlyOne, EM, SNAPP, REX), and a

Qualifications

• MD/PhD in Gastroenterology with active research/clinical involvement.
• 3–5 publications in the last 5 years, English-language.
• First or last author on publications preferred.
• Experience with editorial management systems (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Assess manuscript suitability and issue initial revision decisions after peer review.
• Evaluate peer-review reports and determine need for additional review.
• Synthesize feedback into decisions that uphold journal standards.
• Provide clear decision letters explaining revisions and expectations for resubmission.
• Ensure consistency in decisions across original and revised submissions.
• Collaborate with Publisher, Desk Editors, and Reviewer Selection Support via email and other channels.
• Attend regular check-ins with the Publisher and report KPI progress.

Skills

Editorial decisions

Peer-review evaluation

Manuscript assessment

Communication

Education

MD/PhD in Gastroenterology

Tools

ScholarOne

EM

SNAPP

REX

Job description

One of our prestigious publisher clients is looking for project-based Managing Editors support to ensure timely, high-quality editorial decisions across a portfolio of journals. In this role, candidates will need to make independent, post–peer review decisions, uphold journal standards, and collaborate closely with internal teams to maintain throughput and quality. Manuscripts will be assigned as required, allowing for flexibility around commitments.

We are specifically seeking candidates with an MD/PhD specializing in Gastroenterology, having 3-5 years of research experience, and currently involved in research/academia/practicing clinically.

Job Responsibilities

• Assess the suitability of submitted manuscripts and, following peer review, issue initial revision decisions (minor/major) and final (accept/reject) decisions.
• Evaluate the quality and relevance of peer-review reports and determine when additional review is warranted for borderline or complex cases.
• Synthesize reviewer feedback into coherent editorial decisions that uphold the journal’s reputation through rigorous editorial standards.
• Provide clear, constructive decision letters to authors explaining revision requirements and expectations for resubmissions, whilst maintaining a professional tone in all author correspondence.
• Issue and evaluate revision requests on original submissions, determining whether author responses adequately address reviewer comments.
• Ensure consistency in decision-making across original and revised submissions throughout the appointment.
• Collaborate with the Publisher, Desk Editors, and Reviewer Selection Support primarily via email and other asynchronous channels.
• Attend scheduled regular check-in meetings with the Publisher to provide updates on manuscript processing and any challenges encountered.
• Decision turnaround: complete all manuscript decisions within a maximum of 5 business days from assignment.
• Response times: respond to queries and communications within 2 business days.
• Provide KPI reporting and periodic performance updates.
• Participate in reviews to assess delivery against KPIs and implement corrective and preventive actions where needed.

Qualifications and Prerequisites

• MD/PhD, specialized in Gastroenterology
• Active (or very recent) researchers with a minimum of 3-5 publications in the last 5 years.
• Publications should be primarily in English.
• Must have at least 2 publications in the last 2 years.
• Publications should not have a retraction note or expressions of concern related to authorship disputes, plagiarism, or research misconduct.
• Should be either the first or the last author on the publications.
• Should have working knowledge of an editorial management system (ScholarOne, EM, SNAPP, REX, etc.) [Preferred]

Benefits of the role

• Flexibility: Set your own work hours to match your lifestyle.