Publication Ethics- Senior Editor, Team Manager

Public Library of Science; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 58,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Library of Science seeks a Senior Editor, Team Manager to oversee the Publication Ethics team. This fully remote position requires expertise in editorial standards and ethics within scientific publishing, along with team management capabilities. Responsibilities include case management, staff training, and strategic contributions to uphold publication integrity across PLOS journals.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Pension with up to 10% employer match

25 days holidays, market competitive Maternity and Paternity leave

Fully remote work environment

Qualifications

• Considerable editorial experience in scientific or medical journals publishing.
• Experience training staff is preferred.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group of Publication Ethics team members.
• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently in line with standards.
• Contribute to team strategy development and implementation.

Skills

Editorial experience in scientific or medical journals publishing

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Organized and efficient

Experience in investigating publication issues

Expertise in data reporting

Education

PhD in a scientific discipline or similar clinical qualification

Job description

*This position is fully remote/home based. Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the UK and the following US states: FL, IL, MA, MD, NY, PA, TX, VA

PLOS is a non-profit organization on a mission to drive open science forward with measurable, meaningful change in research publishing, policy, and practice. We believe in a better future where science is open to all, for all.

Role Summary

As a Senior Editor, Team Manager, you contribute to team strategy development and implementation in coordination with the Managing Editor and other Senior Editor Team Managers; you manage a cohort of staff within the Publication Ethics team, and you own primary responsibility for one or more aspects of the team’s work.

You recruit, train and develop team members, advise staff on case investigations and decisions, and help to lead or oversee publication ethics case decision-making together with the other Publication Ethics managers and journal leads. In addition to your managerial responsibilities, you contribute to investigations of publication ethics cases (particularly those requiring advanced expertise or urgent action), and you may be assigned to lead or otherwise contribute to projects, initiatives, or cross-functional partnerships that support the team’s objectives. You will also attend virtual COPE events, and may be asked to contribute to internal or external communications, policy development, and/or cross-industry initiatives addressing a need within the wider publication ethics community.

This role will support the Publication Ethics team’s large-scale case group, which primarily addresses issues involving potential manipulation of the publication process (paper mills, peer review integrity concerns, etc.).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manage a group of Publication Ethics team members, which may include staff with operational and/or editorial responsibilities.
• Objective setting and performance evaluation for your direct reports
• Provide training, feedback, and support for Publication Ethics team members (including staff who are not your direct reports)
• Inform the Managing Editor of any major achievements or performance concerns involving your reports.
• Inform the Managing Editor of any support or training needs for you or your reports.
• Support the professional development of your direct reports.
• Provide cover for other Publication Ethics managers, and arrange or provide cover for your reports, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently and in line with PLOS standards and COPE guidance; provide timely support for others’ publication ethics case work; liaise with Legal and Communications departments as needed for your and your reports’ cases; help respond to any COPE or Legal queries involving your or your reports’ cases; prevent reputational damage to PLOS journals as feasible.
• Together with the other Publication Ethics managers, contribute to team strategy development and implementation, prioritization and delegation of cases and projects, team retreat planning and delivery, and evaluation of efforts toward achieving team-level goals.
• Contribute as requested (may be in leading/responsible, advisory, contributor, or informed roles) to team-level and/or cross-functional initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity needs at PLOS.
• Contribute to internal discussions about publication ethics, research integrity, and related issues in team-level and interdepartmental/cross-team forums. Address escalations and queries about publication ethics issues.
• Maintain an awareness of cross-industry issues and initiatives and attend COPE Forums that fall within your working hours.
• You may be asked to represent PLOS Publication Ethics at meetings, workshops, and/or other forums relevant to publication ethics and research integrity, or to contribute to outward-facing communications about publication ethics issues. You may also be asked to represent PLOS on an external project or working group related to publication ethics work.
• Help with recruitment and onboarding for vacant Publication Ethics team positions, and lead offboarding for your reports when/if they leave the team.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism in all of your work for PLOS, and provide training, feedback, or support as needed if you notice any unprofessional behavior or communications by your direct reports.

Knowledge and Skills

• Considerable editorial experience in scientific or medical journals publishing
• Experience training staff is preferred
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral
• Excellent analytical skills, familiarity with peer review, editorial decision making and publishing standards for original research publications.
• Organized and efficient with a strong problem-solving ability
• Experience in investigating and auditing for issues involving potential manipulation of the publication process.
• Expertise in data reporting and/or analytics, project management, and cross-functional workflow development are also desired.

5. Qualifications

• A PhD in a scientific discipline or similar clinical qualification

6. Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Prolonged periods stationary at a desk and working on a computer.
• Some national and international travel may be required.
• Some flexibility to work across time zones.

SALARY:

The base salary range we’ve established for these positions is US: $105,000-$145,000, OR UK: £58,000 - £80,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package summarized below.

BENEFITS:

US:

• 401k with employer match
• Employee sponsored health, dental and vision insurance (Dental and Vision 100% employer paid)
• Paid Vacation, 11 public holidays and sick leave
• Parental leave
• Birthday and three winter holidays days off
• Short term and long term disability insurance
• 2 days paid time off for volunteering per year
• Fully remote work environment with stipend on joining for home office

UK:

• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Personal accident insurance
• Pension with up to 10% employer match
• 25 days holidays, market competitive Maternity and Paternity leave
• Birthday and three winter holidays days off
• 2 days paid time off for volunteering per year
• Fully remote work environment with stipend on joining for home office

About PLOS

Building on a strong legacy of pioneering innovation, PLOS continues to be a catalyst in

open science, reimagining models to meet open science principles, removing barriers and promoting inclusion in knowledge creation and sharing, and publishing research outputs that enable everyone to learn from, reuse and build upon scientific knowledge.

Our work is supported by a highly skilled global in-house team, partnerships with local

scholarly organizations, and the valued contributions of a diverse, international community

of scientific researchers.

We’re committed to equal opportunity

We’re working to create a more equitable system of scientific knowledge and understanding. Removing barriers to inclusion and facilitating broad participation of voices is core to our success, inside and out.

Beyond accepting distinct perspectives, we seek and support divergent backgrounds among our colleagues because we know differences strengthen our teams, our work, and our communities. We strongly encourage applicants of all identities to join us as we work towards a future where science is open to all, for all.

Visit plos.org/careers to learn more.

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