Interim Associate or Senior Editor, Communications Biology

Location: London or Pune – Hybrid working model

Application deadline: 16th June

About Springer Nature

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About the Brand

Nature Portfolio’s high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences help move science and society forward. Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international weekly journal of science, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports.

About the Role

We are looking for an Associate Editor with research experience in relevant scientific areas in biology to join Communications Biology - a multidisciplinary open access biology journal. The Associate Editor role at Communications Biology is ideal for researchers who love science but feel that a career at the bench isn’t enough to satisfy your desire to learn more about the natural world and for those who enjoy reading papers outside their chosen area of research. This temporary position is a great opportunity to try out an editorial role before committing to this career choice.

We are mainly looking for someone with a research background in Metabolism, Genetics or Immunology but would consider strong candidates with other backgrounds in biological research. A large part of the role will involve working alongside the journal’s Editorial Board.

This is a fixed-term contract position based in our London or Pune offices on a hybrid working pattern.

Role responsibilities:

• Handling original research papers and working closely with other editors on all aspects of the editorial process, including manuscript selection and overseeing peer review.
• Making well-reasoned editorial decisions on submitted manuscripts in the light of expert advice.
• Engaging with an external editorial board — guiding and assisting external editors with the tasks listed above, as well as recruitment and training of new board members.
• Liaising extensively with editors at other journals across Springer Nature and with experts in the international scientific community.
• Attending conferences and visiting research institutions.
• Commissioning various content including Reviews, Perspectives and Comment articles.
• Contributing to defining journal strategy and editorial policies.

Experience, Skills, & Qualifications:

Essential

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant biology discipline. Someone with a research background in Metabolism, Genetics or Immunology would be ideal but other backgrounds in biological research will be considered.
• A genuine passion for scientific communication and promoting rigor and transparency in reporting research.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be fluent in English (written and spoken).
• The ability to read and assess the novelty, context and implications of research submitted to the journal from different areas of the biological sciences.
• A desire to interact with scientists worldwide, learn more about them and their research, and help them learn more about us and what we are looking for in the papers we seek to publish.

Desirable

• Postdoctoral experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Editorial experience is not required, as full training is given, although applicants with significant editorial experience are encouraged to apply and will potentially be considered for the Senior Editor position.

To apply, please send:

• a CV (including a brief account of your research and other relevant experience).
• a cover letter explaining your interest in the post.
• a summary in the “Research Highlight” format of a recent paper published in Communications Biology.

Springer Nature Skills associated with this Job Profile include:

• Being Resilient
• Collaboration
• Communicates Effectively
• Critical Scientific Evaluation
• Decision Quality
• Interpersonal Awareness
• Manuscript Assessment
• Operational Excellence
• Publishing Workflows & Systems
• Scientific & Academic Writing
• Scientific Comprehension

At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress – and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish.