Associate Editor, Publication Ethics, Fixed Term Contract

This position is fully remote/home based. Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the UK. This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract. 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. This role’s primary responsibility is to investigate and resolve publication ethics cases involving PLOS journal content. Cases may be raised before or after publication, and may center on scientific, ethics, or policy compliance issues (e.g., image integrity issues, animal/human research ethics concerns, data ownership issues, etc.). You will also support PLOS journal editors in their publication ethics work, contribute to Publication Ethics team projects and initiatives (e.g. efforts to improve detection and/or resolution of publication ethics issues), and contribute to other team-level efforts to address ethics and integrity issues.

Responsibilities

• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently and in line with PLOS standards and COPE guidance; prevent reputational damage to PLOS journals as feasible.
• Contribute to triage of incoming publication ethics cases.
• With other Publication Ethics team members, develop workflow and policy updates as needed to optimize detection and/or handling of publication ethics issues.
• Support journal editors in resolving publication ethics issues that arise during manuscript handling, peer review, or post-publication.
• Communicate quickly 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.
• You may be asked to provide cover or support for the team’s operational needs.
• 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.
• Help to recruit and train for vacant team positions and help to train staff on other PLOS teams in publication ethics case management and standards.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism in all internal and external communications about publication ethics issues.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly organized and efficient self-starter with excellent attention to detail and keen problem-solving and analytical skills.
• A collaborative team player who is comfortable working on a remote team in a globally dispersed environment.
• A commitment to open access and research integrity.
• Familiarity with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance, aptitude for and/or experience in image forensic analysis is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree, or equivalent (preferably in a scientific discipline).
• Demonstrated record of discretion and good judgement.
• Post-graduate research experience in a scientific, clinical, or social sciences discipline is preferred.
• Experience in STM publishing, either in an editorial role or in a publication ethics role with primary case investigation responsibilities is preferred.

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.

The base salary range we’ve established for these positions is (UK) £35,000- £47,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package summarized below.

BENEFITS:

• UK: Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Income protection.
• 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.