Commissioning Editor - 6806 in Cambridge

Salary: £35,200 - £45,700

Location: Cambridge, UK

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Want to help shape the future of scientific learning and research worldwide? We’re looking for three editors—one each in computer science, mathematics and physics—to join our Science, Technology and Medicine books team. We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world‑leading academic publisher and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. Our programme is recognised globally for its high‑quality textbooks, research overviews and practical guides. This is an exciting moment to join us as new technologies and business models transform how academic content is created and delivered.

About The Role

In this role, you will lead the development of new book projects across computer science, mathematics or physics, commissioning high‑quality titles and managing a portfolio from proposal through to publication. You will play a key part in shaping and growing the Science, Technology and Medicine books programme by building strong academic networks, developing a list that delivers both impact and commercial value, and contributing to the long‑term direction of our publishing strategy.

Additional responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Negotiating and managing author contracts.
• Ensuring robust editorial governance, including peer‑review standards and compliance.
• Coordinating cross‑functional delivery with editorial, production, sales, and marketing teams to meet schedules, budgets, and quality requirements.
• Managing and developing the backlist, including planning new editions and revisions.
• Supporting financial management activities, including forecasting and performance tracking.
• Monitoring research, teaching, and market trends to inform future opportunities, including Open Access and digital formats.
• Contributing to internal governance, planning, and decision‑making forums.
• Supporting continuous improvement of publishing systems, processes, and policies.

This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40‑60% of their time collaborating and connecting face‑to‑face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition.

About You

Please review the essential and desirable criteria to understand the skills and experience that will help you thrive in this role.

Essential criteria:

• Familiarity with the latest research and teaching developments in STM subjects.
• Awareness of the challenges facing academic book publishing in the 21st Century.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking, sound business acumen and a strong market focus.
• Confidence in making informed decisions under pressure in order to meet deadlines.
• Outstanding organizational and time‑management skills.
• Energy, creativity, motivation and a high degree of self‑reliance.

Desirable criteria:

• BA/BSc or equivalent in a physical science, engineering, computer science or mathematics.
• Prior experience in publishing, ideally within STM (commissioning experience not required).

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site. When applying for this position, please indicate in your CV and/or Cover letter which position you are applying for: Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics.

We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long‑term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long‑term health condition.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

Rewards and Benefits

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world‑class, flexible rewards package, featuring family‑friendly and planet‑friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance.
• Discretionary annual bonus.
• Group personal pension scheme.
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary.
• Green travel schemes.

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 8th February 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect 1st stage interviews to take place week commencing 16th February 2026. If you are successful, you will be invited to a 2nd stage interview, which will take place week commencing 2nd March 2026.

If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:

• First stage virtual interview via MS Teams. During your interview, you will be given a brief and asked to complete a role‑related task. No advance preparation is required.
• Final stage interview: in‑person at our offices in Cambridge. You will be asked to conduct some research, prepare a 10‑minute presentation and talk it through with the interview panel during your interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long‑term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry. We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You will belong to a collaborative team that is exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it is safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.