Publisher in Bristol

JOIN THE COMMUNITY. Making science better, together. Be part of a community working together to make science better. A society publisher with the perfect blend of not-for-profit purpose and commercial perspective. Here, we help each other be the best we can be: a team big enough to impact and small enough to care. We have a Publisher opportunity to join our team on a 12 month fixed term contract.

As a Publisher, you’ll manage a portfolio of journals and be responsible for delivering journal growth through smart commissioning, community-building and strong partner relationships. Working closely with a Senior Publisher, you’ll help shape journal strategies, analyse performance, and drive improvements that support our mission and KPIs. You’ll also be an ambassador for IOP Publishing—representing our journals at conferences, nurturing new author relationships, and helping to ensure high-quality scientific content reaches global audiences.

What you’ll be doing

• Journal strategy & performance
  • Contribute to shaping and implementing journal and portfolio strategies.
  • Carry out market analysis and make evidence-based recommendations for growth.
  • Monitor and report on journal performance, ensuring alignment with targets.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date scope statements and acceptance criteria.
  • Recommend and coordinate new journal launch opportunities.
• Commissioning & content development
  • Develop commissioning plans aligned with growth and citation goals.
  • Target priority subject areas using field analysis and community insight.
  • Recruit and manage Guest Editors for special issues.
  • Lead both desk-based and in-person commissioning activity.
  • Keep clear records and communicate progress regularly.
• Community engagement
  • Build strong relationships with authors, editors, and research institutions.
  • Develop Editorial Board succession plans and support diverse board development.
  • Chair and coordinate Editorial Board meetings.
  • Attend conferences and institutional visits to represent IOP Publishing.

What you’ll bring

• Qualifications
  • A first degree or PhD (a physical sciences subject, particularly one relating to energy or sustainability, is desirable).
• Experience
  • Experience in STM (scientific, technical, medical) publishing.
• Skills & behaviours
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • A collaborative approach and confidence engaging with scientific communities.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.

We know it is unusual for someone to tick every box so, if you don’t meet all the criteria, but demonstrate most of the skills and experience we are looking for, and have the enthusiasm to work with us, go ahead and apply. We pride ourselves on being a flexible and inclusive employer, if you have a preference to work flexibly, please do apply.

Who We Are: IOP Publishing is a society-owned scientific publisher, providing impact, recognition and value for the scientific community. As the publishing arm of the Institute of Physics, 100% of our profit goes towards public and scientific good.

Why work with us at IOP Publishing:

• Purpose: We are a world leader in the development of electronic publishing for the scientific community - working in the interests of science and scientists, we aim to maximise the impact of the research we publish;
• Culture: We offer a truly international culture with offices in Europe, Asia and the US and our reach is global. Our culture is the perfect blend of dedicated and intelligent professionalism, informal, friendly collaboration and authenticity with a social conscience.
• Financial Benefits: A competitive salary starting from £38,000 (Band C), an excellent pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution), a discretionary annual bonus scheme and a range of other useful and cost-saving benefits available through our benefits platform.
• Health and Wellbeing: 33+ days holiday (including bank holidays), plus an extra day’s leave to use for a moment that matters to you, a 35-hour working week, life assurance, cycle to work scheme, dental insurance, health care cash plan, and a great positive working environment in our brand new office in central Bristol – modern airy and designed with all of our colleagues in mind – for work and social time.
• Flexibility: A flexible hybrid working environment to suit everyone’s needs- we don't need you in the office every day so we can consider applicants from further afield who can travel to Bristol at least four times a year. All travel to the Bristol is at the employee’s own expense.

To apply, please submit your CV through our careers site. IOP Publishing is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are built into our identity in a way that is natural and sustainable, visible through the work we produce, our company branding, our professional networks and the communities we serve and support, which includes our employees, talent communities and candidates. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented backgrounds. We make recruitment and workplace adjustments wherever we can, so please let us know if there’s anything that we can do to support you. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for candidates. If, however you already have the right to work in the UK or hold an eligible work permit or visa, we encourage you to apply for this position.