Senior Editor, Publication Ethics

*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.

In the US, this is a union represented position as part of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, Local 39521 of the NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America.

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

The PLOS Publication Ethics team works to uphold the integrity and reliability of PLOS publications and supports PLOS journals in publication ethics-related issues and policy development. The team also engages with external parties and organizations in publication ethics-related discussions and initiatives.

As a Senior Editor, Publication Ethics, you investigate and resolve publication ethics cases for all PLOS journals, provide publication ethics support to PLOS journal teams, and contribute to team-level initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity issues at PLOS. You attend virtual COPE events, and may be asked to represent PLOS on a cross-industry initiative addressing a need within the wider publication ethics community.

This role is in 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.). Editors within this group may also be asked to contribute to work involving other types of publication ethics cases, as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• none

Responsibilities

• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently and in line with PLOS standards and COPE guidance; provide timely support for others’ publication ethics case work; address escalations and queries about publication ethics issues; prevent reputational damage to PLOS journals as feasible.
• Contribute as requested to tasks, cases, documentation, and other processes needed to support the team’s casework and other objectives.
• Contribute to team-level and/or cross-functional initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity issues at PLOS. (e.g., development of workflows or policy updates; development, trials, and/or implementation of approaches to improve detection, prevention, and/or resolution of publication ethics cases)
• Support journal staff editors in resolving publication ethics issues that arise during manuscript handling, peer review, or post-publication.
• Communicate rapidly and effectively about ethics cases with involved/affected stakeholders, including the journal’s editorial leads, Editorial Board members, authors, members of other PLOS teams, and any other parties involved in publication ethics case work.
• Contribute to internal discussions about publication ethics, research integrity, and related issues in team-level and interdepartmental/cross-team forums.
• 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 team positions and help to train staff on other PLOS teams in publication ethics case management and standards. Provide training and feedback for other Publication Ethics team members as needed.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism in all internal and external communications about publication ethics issues.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral
• Highly organized and efficient self-starter with excellent attention to detail and excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• A collaborative team player who is comfortable working with a remote team
• A commitment to open access and research integrity
• Familiarity with peer review, publishing, editorial decision-making, and publication ethics issues and standards
• Prior experience investigating and resolving publication ethics cases
• Knowledge of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards and guidance
• (Preferred) Expertise in image forensics, paper mill investigations, reporting/data analytics; experience delivering trainings

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline
• Experience in an editorial or publication ethics role in science, technical, and medical (STM) publishing
• First-hand experience resolving publication ethics cases in STM publishing
• A demonstrated aptitude for critically evaluating scientific articles or publication ethics issues
• (Preferred) Post-graduate research experience in a scientific, clinical, or social sciences discipline

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 these positions is (US): $75,000-$100,000 or UK  £42,000- £57,000. 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 staff 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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