Manuscript Assistant

Massachusetts Medical Society; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks of paid vacation

6 personal days

12 sick days

13 paid holidays

medical and dental plans

401(k) plans with company match

backup childcare assistance

tuition assistance and more!

Job summary

The Massachusetts Medical Society seeks a Manuscript Assistant for a hybrid role, working remotely and occasionally at the Boston, MA office. The position processes manuscripts for publication and communicates with authors, reviewers, researchers, and NEJM readers as part of the NEJM Editorial Operations team.

Responsibilities include verifying manuscript completeness, acting as primary contact for authors, providing technical support, entering submissions, and supporting editors with expedited

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a medical or academic environment is required.
• Strong computer user skills required.
• Good organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• Strict attention to detail is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Verifies completeness of new, revised, and resubmitted manuscripts and performs minor edits to manuscript text or author contact information.
• Serves as the initial primary contact for authors regarding submission requirements, manuscript status, and related issues.
• Provides basic technical support to authors and reviewers on online submission websites.
• As necessary, enters manuscript submissions on behalf of authors and Journal office.
• Works closely with the Editor‑in‑Chief and Deputy Editors to answer queries related to expedited review and assist Editorial Assistants in preparatory tasks.
• Triages presubmission inquiries with the Deputy Editors and maintains data for internal references; replies to prospective authors with decisions.
• Acts as the primary contact for the main Journal telephone line and handles queries from authors or the public.
• Completes moderate reporting and analytics for volume and efficiency of presubmission and rapid review workflows.
• Applies learned knowledge to explore other tasks and sub-teams in the department.
• Provides other editorial and administrative support as requested.

Skills

Strong computer skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal & communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in medical/academic setting

Job description

The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Evidence, NEJM AI, NEJM Catalyst, NEJM Clinician, and through our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.

We are currently seeking a Manuscript Assistant for a hybrid position, working remotely and occasionally in our Boston, MA office.

The Manuscript Assistant is responsible for processing all manuscripts received for consideration for publication.They will communicate, as needed, with the academic medical community, including authors, reviewers, researchers, and NEJM readers. The Manuscript Assistant performs administrative duties for the New England Journal Editorial Operations team, including assisting with general administrative tasks and projects.

Responsibilities:

1. Verifies completeness of new, revised, and resubmitted manuscripts and videos. Makes minor edits to manuscript text and/or author contact information as necessary to prepare manuscripts for assessment by editors.
2. Serves as the initial primary contact for authors via our submission portal or editorial inboxes regarding submission requirements, manuscript status, and other issues.
3. Provides basic technical support to authors and reviewers experiencing difficulty with the online submission websites.
4. As necessary, enters manuscript submissions on behalf of authors and Journal office.
5. Working closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors, answers all queries related to requests for expedited review and assists Editorial Assistants in preparatory organizational tasks.
6. Triages Presubmission inquiries with the Deputy Editors. Maintains data on internal recommendations to reference at the time of submission. Replies to prospective authors with decisions.
7. Primary contact point for main Journal telephone line, directing all calls as appropriate and attending to queries from authors or the lay public.
8. Upon request, completes moderate reporting and analytics for volume and efficiency of Presubmission and rapid review workflows.
9. Applies learned knowledge in exploration of other tasks and sub-teams in department.
10. Provides other editorial and administrative support as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a medical or academic environment is required.
• Strong computer user skills required.
• Good organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• Strict attention to detail is necessary.

Compensation:

The target base range for this role is $45,000-$50,000. Salary is commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits:

Our generous benefits offerings include:

• 2 weeks of paid vacation
• 6 personal days
• 12 sick days
• 13 paid holidays
• medical and dental plans
• 401(k) plans with company match
• backup childcare assistance
• tuition assistance and more!

The MMS has earned praise as one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe for the past 16 years in a row! The Globe surveys employees regarding their opinions about company leadership, benefits, ethics, values and culture, and recognizes those companies who receive high marks from their employees.

The MMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing opportunities to veterans and people with disabilities and a work environment that is welcoming to all.