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Open Research Manager

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

*This is a union represented position as part of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, Local 39521 of the NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America

Role Summary

PLOS is a nonprofit, Open Access publisher empowering researchers to accelerate progress in science and medicine by leading a transformation in research communication. You will have strategic and tactical oversight of a subset of PLOS’s goals to measurably increase the adoption and impact of open science (research) practices by researchers, understand the impact of these practices, and to influence policy in this area. You will use your research, collaboration, and community-building expertise along with a deep understanding of Open Science to identify evidence-informed opportunities to achieve these goals within the PLOS portfolio and in the wider research community. You will bring a creative and resourceful approach including an ability to bring people together to develop solution opportunities that both support PLOS’ mission and meet community needs.

Responsibilities

Strategy

  • Work with the Director, Open Research Solutions and Open Research team to develop the goals and strategy for the aspects, users and beneficiaries of Open Science (Research) in your area
  • Serves as internal advisor and consultant offering Open Science and Open Research expertise and training to colleagues in other departments
  • Plan activities, in collaboration with colleagues across departments, to achieve goals informed by data, insights, and organizational strategy
  • Conduct or commission research using quantitative and qualitative techniques to understand researchers’ needs, behaviours and perspectives in relation to Open Science practices to support strategy and tactic development
  • Support the Director, Open Research Solutions and Chief Scientific Officer to inform PLOS’ futures content strategies relating to transparency, quality control, and credit for non-traditional research outputs

 Adoption of Open Science practices

  • Identify and validate -- in collaboration with colleagues in other departments, journal Editors, and external partners -- new opportunities to increase the adoption of Open Science practices
  • Evaluate the feasibility, sustainability, risks, community support, and impact of opportunities, and ensure that we promote participation in Open Science by a broader range of researchers
  • Support and lead the management and development of Editorial policies using transparent communication and decision making techniques
  • Manage or support the management of relationships with external partners that support our goals and initiatives relating to Open Science practices
  • Ensure the needs and perspectives of researchers (as authors, editors, and peer reviewers), PLOS colleagues and other stakeholders where relevant, are integral to our approach to supporting adoption of Open Science

Advocacy, education and engagement

  • Develop and maintain regular interactions with the research community
  • Maintain and develop excellent cross-functional relationships with internal teams and stakeholders (Publishing Operations, Publishing, Editorial, Strategic Research, Product, UX and Design, Marketing and Communications)
  • Help prepare proposals to funding agencies where experimentation and research is contingent on grant support
  • Develop and deliver outreach, instructional and educational resources to support adoption of Open Science practices
  • Represent your team and PLOS at conferences and events, giving presentations, hosting workshops and networking with the community.
  • Communicate outcomes of activities and research internally and externally in various formats including conference presentations, reports, preprints, datasets, publications, blogs

Knowledge and Skills

  • Deep understanding of Open Science/ Open Access/ Open Research policies and practices
  • Experience with different research techniques and ability to further develop research skills
  • Strong familiarity with scholarly publishing including editorial, production and peer review processes and systems
  • Experience of policy development, support or implementation, preferably in an open research context
  • Able to write reports and present information clearly
  • Experience managing projects
  • Able to work with committees, cross-functional groups and be able to manage effective meetings to gain consensus
  • Proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving
  • Familiarity with a variety of data analysis, digital project/ content management tools and the ability to learn new tools quickly
  • Flexible, resilient and outcome oriented and willing to adapt solutions to achieve strategic goals

Qualifications

  • Educated to degree level in a scientific discipline preferably with a relevant postgraduate qualification (Masters or PhD)

 Physical Requirements and Work Environment

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

The base salary range we’ve established for this position is (UK) £50,000 - £62,000 (US) $85,000 - $115,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package that will be shared with candidates in the interview process  

 

To learn more about how PLOS protects your privacy, see our Employee Privacy Notice.

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