At a Glance
- Tasks: Support research integrity by advising on ethical practices and handling allegations.
- Company: Join Elsevier, a leader in scholarly publishing with a commitment to ethics.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, private medical benefits, wellbeing programmes, and learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with diverse stakeholders and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the research community while promoting ethical standards.
- Qualifications: Five years in publishing or research integrity, strong communication skills, and analytical abilities.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
The Publishing Ethics Expert plays a key role in supporting Elsevier’s commitment to research integrity by advising Editors and Publishers on best practice in handling ethical allegations across all research disciplines. This role supports ethics investigations, contributes to initiatives that help prevent or detect ethical issues, and delivers training and guidance aligned with Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) principles and Elsevier policies.
We are seeking a collaborative and analytical professional to join the Research Integrity & Publishing Ethics team within Elsevier’s STM Journals publishing division. The successful candidate will support the fair, consistent, and transparent handling of publishing ethics matters, applying sound judgment, attention to detail, and clear communication when working with a wide range of stakeholders in a complex, international environment.
Responsibilities
- Assess activities and allegations relating to authors, reviewers, editors, guest editors, and other stakeholders.
- Support editors in evaluating ethical concerns, including plagiarism, duplicate publication, authorship disputes, peer-review manipulation, and image or data issues.
- Advise on appropriate actions such as corrections, editor notes, expressions of concern, and retraction notices.
- Work with Legal, Communications, and other internal teams as appropriate.
- Manage cases involving multiple journals or complex stakeholder networks.
- Communicate clearly, professionally, and diplomatically with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide education and guidance to internal colleagues and the wider research community, including participation in editorial board meetings and author webinars.
- Contribute to updates or enhancements to ethical policies in response to emerging issues.
- Act as a subject‑matter expert on ethics‑related projects and initiatives, including contributions to product or workflow development.
- Support user access and best‑practice use of ethics‑related tools.
Qualifications
- Relevant professional experience in scholarly publishing, editorial roles, or research integrity (typically five or more years), with demonstrated achievements in related areas.
- A degree in an academic or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- In‑depth knowledge of the peer‑review and publishing process, including ethical guidelines such as COPE best practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
- Experience supporting editors, researchers, or other senior academic stakeholders.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across disciplines, regions, and professional backgrounds.
- Strong judgement, integrity, and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
- Well‑developed analytical, organisational, prioritisation, and problem‑solving skills.
- Experience working successfully in a complex, matrixed, international environment.
- Assessment or case study may form part of the selection process.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days.
- Private medical benefits, health screening and eye care vouchers.
- Wellbeing programmes and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Life assurance and a competitive contributory pension scheme.
- Share‑save scheme and travel season ticket loan.
- Family‑friendly policies, including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
- Learning and development opportunities and employee resource groups.
- RECARES days to support causes that matter to you.
Publishing Ethics Expert employer: RELX Group
Elsevier is an exceptional employer that prioritises research integrity and ethical publishing, offering a collaborative work environment where employees can thrive. With generous benefits such as private medical care, a competitive pension scheme, and extensive learning opportunities, team members are supported in their professional growth while contributing to meaningful initiatives in the global research community. Located in a dynamic international setting, Elsevier fosters a culture of inclusivity and innovation, making it an ideal place for those passionate about upholding the highest standards in scholarly publishing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Publishing Ethics Expert
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the publishing ethics field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a short presentation or write a blog post about a recent ethical issue in publishing. Share it on social media to get noticed by potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a mate. Get them to throw some tricky questions your way, especially around ethical dilemmas. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace your application and land that dream job in publishing ethics.
We think you need these skills to ace Publishing Ethics Expert
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Publishing Ethics Expert role. Highlight your relevant experience in scholarly publishing and research integrity, and don’t forget to mention your knowledge of COPE principles!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves clear communication with various stakeholders, demonstrate your written and verbal skills in your application. Use concise language and structure your documents well to make a great impression.
Highlight Your Analytical Abilities:We’re looking for someone who can assess complex ethical issues. Include examples from your past work where you’ve successfully navigated similar challenges, showcasing your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at RELX Group
✨Know Your Ethics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest COPE guidelines and ethical practices in publishing. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you truly understand the nuances of research integrity.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific ethical dilemmas or allegations. Think through some real-world examples from your experience and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making skills clearly.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating complex concepts in a straightforward manner. You might even want to prepare a few examples of how you've successfully communicated sensitive information in the past.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
This position requires working with diverse teams, so be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated effectively in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you navigated complex stakeholder networks or contributed to team initiatives.
