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- Tasks: Support the editorial process for academic journals and coordinate peer reviews.
- Company: Join MDPI, a leader in open access publishing with a global impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible hours, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Stay connected to research while helping scholars publish their work.
- Qualifications: PhD in materials science and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic office culture with career growth opportunities and training provided.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
To strengthen our Editorial team, we are looking for recent PhD graduates who are eager to stay connected to scientific research by helping researchers worldwide publish their latest results. The position of Assistant Editor is a full‑time and permanent position based in our city‑centre office in Manchester, UK. This is a full‑time in‑office role. The office is located next to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester.
Responsibilities
- Support the editorial process for academic research journals in your domain of expertise
- Organize peer review process for submitted manuscripts and coordinate editorial decisions
- Handle email communication between the parties involved in the publication process
- Collaborate with other members of the editorial team and production team
- Ensure that scholarly articles are accurately edited and published according to tight deadlines with a high degree of consistency
Requirements
- A PhD degree in a field related to materials science (e.g., Materials Science and Engineering, Materials physics, Materials chemistry, Material forming and control engineering, Metallurgical engineering, Inorganic non‑metallic materials engineering, Polymer materials, Gemstone and material technology, Nanomaterials and technology, Composite Materials and Engineering, Chemistry, Applied chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical design, manufacturing and automation, Mechanical and electronic Engineering, Process equipment and control engineering, Measurement and control technology and instruments)
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
- Advanced knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Team player with the capability to work in a dynamic, international environment
- Detail oriented with the capacity to see the big picture
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Very good communication and coordination skills
The career trajectory of this role includes work at conferences, visiting scholars, and marketing events. Applicants should be interested in working face‑to‑face with the scholarly community and be passionate about promoting open access. As a successful candidate, you will receive full training in editorial work, working closely with Managing Editors and learning how to process research articles from submission to publication. Training supervised by an assigned tutor will take place on the job during the first six months. Depending on your background, you will be assigned to work on journals related to your field of study or research. No previous editorial experience is required; however, a familiarity with the academic editorial process is an advantage. This is a great opportunity to start a first job in a dynamic multinational company which offers a range of career development options to talented, enthusiastic, and hard‑working people.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary, including our quarterly bonus scheme, which rewards high‑performing editors
- 10% pay rise after passing the six‑month probation period (for PhD holders, 5% for Master's holders)
- Focused support from your group leader, who is your first point of contact for any issues
- Flexible Working Times: You are able to start work anytime between 7‑9am, and finish between 3‑6pm
- Special Days Off: Getting married or moving house? No need to use up your holidays; MDPI offers paid time off for such occasions
- Our Culture: A friendly working environment with monthly lunch parties, office snacks and seasonal events
- Bonus Incentives: Depending on your role, you may be eligible for one of our bonus schemes which rewards high‑performing employees
- Perkbox: You will have access to our benefit platform called Perkbox. This will provide you with a range of discounts and benefits across various retailers, including savings on food, drinks, tech, travel, and more
- Health Cash Plan: After passing probation, employees are enrolled into our private health membership with Bupa. You can claim money back on dental, doctors, and prescriptions amongst many other health services
- Modern City Centre Office: Located next to Piccadilly Gardens, our office is a ten‑minute walk from both Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road train stations. There are also tram stops outside of the building
- Cyclescheme: Save between 25‑39% on a bike and accessories
- Techscheme: Save up to 10% on tax when purchasing tech equipment from places such as Ikea and Currys
About MDPI
A pioneer in scholarly open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. Our mission is to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. We operate more than 400 diverse, peer‑reviewed open access journals supported by over 6,600 academic editors. We serve scholars from around the world to ensure the latest research is openly and broadly available. MDPI is headquartered in Switzerland with additional offices in Europe, Asia and North America. We are committed to ensuring that high quality research is made available as quickly as possible. We also support sustainability projects, with sustainability as a key theme in many journals and through the MDPI Sustainability Foundation.
Initiatives
At MDPI, we develop and maintain various platforms in order to better serve the scientific community.
Assistant Editor (PhD holder) - Materials Science/Engineering employer: MDPI
Contact Detail:
MDPI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Editor (PhD holder) - Materials Science/Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your academic contacts and let them know you're on the job hunt. They might have leads or even recommend you for positions, especially in niche fields like materials science.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow companies you're interested in on LinkedIn and engage with their posts. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions in the editorial field. Think about how your PhD experience relates to the role of Assistant Editor and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Editor (PhD holder) - Materials Science/Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Editor role. Highlight your PhD and any relevant experience in materials science or editorial work. We want to see how your background fits with what we do!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm for academic publishing shine through!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be handling communication between various parties, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written and spoken English skills. Keep your application clear, concise, and professional – we love a good communicator!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at MDPI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and research in materials science and engineering. Being able to discuss recent developments or your own research will show that you're not just a PhD holder, but someone who is genuinely passionate about the field.
✨Master the Editorial Process
Familiarise yourself with the academic editorial process, even if you haven't worked in it before. Understanding how peer review works and what editors look for in submissions can give you an edge during the interview.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of coordination and communication, be prepared to demonstrate your written and spoken English skills. You might be asked to explain complex concepts clearly, so practice articulating your thoughts succinctly.
✨Be a Team Player
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team, especially in academic or research settings, to show that you can thrive in their editorial team.
