Deputy Editor, Scientific Reports

 Job title: Deputy Editor, Scientific Reports

Locations:  Shanghai or Beijing (hybrid working model) 

Permanent - Full-time role

Closing date: 12th January 2025  

About Springer Nature Group

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About The Role

Scientific Reports is a primary research journal from the publishers of Nature, covering all areas of the natural and clinical sciences. Online and open access, Scientific Reports publishes a high volume of scientifically valid, original research papers, without barriers to access. With the support of external Editorial Board Members, papers are rapidly peer-reviewed to ensure they are technically sound. 

As a Deputy Editor, you will lead a team of Associate and Senior Editors. You will be responsible for the journal’s China outreach programme. You will support the Chief Editor of Scientific Reports in overseeing the publishing team and the editorial workflows, including the peer- review process, post-publication cases, editorial board management, content development and acquisition, and, where required, making editorial decisions. Key performance indicators include rapid publication, sound peer-review practises, and high levels of service to staff, authors and Editorial Board Members. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Training and line management of Associate/Senior Editor(s) 

• Planning and oversight of Scientific Reports outreach programme in China. 

• Assist in the daily management of the journal workflow, with the objective of providing rapid, constructive peer-review and publication decisions, acting as handling editor on manuscripts as required. 

• Respond to authors, reviewers, EBMs, Senior EBMs and readers of Scientific Reports in a timely fashion. 

• Work with the publishing team in the allocation of manuscripts to EBMs. 

• Liaise with EBMs on an on-going basis to follow up on peer review and final decisions, ensuring decision policies are adhered to at all times by EBMs. 

• Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, EBMs and readers (e.g. authorship, scope, ethics and consent, misconduct), including communication with authors and other stakeholders. 

• Input to policy development initiatives and implement editorial policy as required. 

• Establish and maintain relationships with EBMs, including arranging and holding in-person meetings and editorial board meetings, and supporting initiatives to further improve engagement. 

• Manage recruitment and training of new EBMs where required. 

• Represent Scientific Reports at international/national conferences and institutional visits as required. 

• Be an active member of the Springer Nature editorial community, engaging with editorial colleagues on other journals and driving collaboration on projects as necessary. 

• Sign-off social media and marketing content. 

To be considered for the position, you will have: 

• PhD-level research experience (natural sciences; equivalent degree in engineering) 

• Previous experience co-ordinating peer review and making independent manuscript decisions within a world-class STM publishing company 

• Previous experience organising and leading outreach events, interacting with senior academic stakeholders, promotion of a journal or a portfolio of journals. 

• In-depth knowledge of and experience handling editorial ethics and misconduct issues 

• Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, and fluent in English (written and spoken) 

• Strong workload management and organisational skills 

• Able to work independently and as part of a team 

• Adaptable and flexible 

• Thorough knowledge of the scientific community and its needs 

• Highly self-motivated, resourceful and achievement-oriented 

• Sound knowledge and interest in science in general 

• Willingness to travel 

This role can be based in our Shanghai or Beijing (China) offices on a hybrid working pattern and will be offered on a full time permanent basis.  

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter outlining your key ambitions in the role, including your salary expectations, as well as your motivations behind applying for this exciting opportunity. Candidates will be considered as they apply, therefore early applications are encouraged. 

At Springer Nature we value the diversity of our teams. We recognize the many benefits of a diverse workforce with equitable opportunities for everyone. We strive for an inclusive workplace that empowers all our colleagues to thrive. Our search for the best talent fully encompasses and embraces these values and principles. Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards.

Springer Nature is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and we encourage applications from candidates with disabilities. If you consider yourself to have a disability or learning difficulty and wish to submit your application in an alternative format or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)207 014 4020 or by email [email protected] so we can make any necessary arrangements Find out more about our DEI work here. https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion.

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