Publishing / Assistant / Development Editors in Cambridge

The Royal Society of Chemistry publishes over 55 world-leading journals that span the core chemical sciences and related fields. Known for rigorous, fair peer review and fast publication times, our journals publish the best science, from original research articles to authoritative reviews. As a not-for-profit publisher, we reinvest surplus funds back into the global scientific community, supporting our purpose to help the chemical science community make the world a better place.

We are currently looking for Publishing, Assistant and Development Editors to join our Journal teams on both a permanent or on a temporary (12 months fixed-term contract) basis. Our Editors work across a portfolio of journals and support the journals in their team through ensuring the Royal Society of Chemistry is succeeding in its mission to publish high quality impactful content and deliver an excellent customer experience. These roles are an essential part of the whole publication process and work closely with external researchers (who are acting as authors, editors/board members, reviewers, etc.).

They are varied roles where you will use your scientific knowledge and creativity, and team working as part of a collaborative team to provide excellent customer service to our authors and reviewers. Publishing Editors actively contribute to the development of a portfolio of journals through the day-to-day operation of the peer review and publication process for journal articles submitted for publication. Working closely within a journal team in a dynamic, fast-moving publishing environment, Publishing Editors are responsible for managing the peer review of articles submitted for publication to agreed standards as well as assisting the manuscript processing of external salaried Associate/Scientific Editors, who are leading academics in their field.

In addition, Publishing Editors support the production of our journals by collecting published articles into issues, commissioning vibrant artwork from authors to feature on the covers of the journals and working with our production teams to resolve customer queries and ensure rapid publication of accepted articles. Development Editors support all aspects of journal development pre-submission and post-publication, undertaking activities to grow and develop journal authorship and readership in terms of geographic regions and research topics. This involves finding and researching leading academics and inviting them to publish their best research in the journals, as well as promoting our journals with assistance from our marketing team, and maintaining and growing the journals’ online presence via social media channels.

Development Editors regularly represent the Royal Society of Chemistry at conferences to promote our journals and develop and maintain relationships with our community. Development Editors also proactively input into and implement the journals’ strategic plans, supporting the portfolio development through data analysis, understanding of competitor landscapes, and preparation and involvement in Editorial Board meetings. Assistant Editors have a broad and varied role, participating in all stages of the publishing process from pre-submission activities right through to final publication and promotion.

The day-to-day activities of an Assistant Editor are a combination of the accountabilities for the Publishing Editor and Development Editor roles, including travel as required to represent the Royal Society of Chemistry at conferences. A key element of the Assistant Editor role is the ability to work independently and effectively across both development and peer review & journal coordination tasks. In comparison to a Publishing Editor role, peer review represents a smaller portion of the Assistant Editor role. The level of peer review is team-dependent and covers tasks such as external Associate Editor support and initial assessment of articles.

A key function of all three roles is help build the Royal Society of Chemistry’s reputation for excellence and quality through community engagement and implementing editorial policy. Publishing, Assistant and Development Editors regularly interact with our community in a variety of formats, developing and maintaining good relationships and excellent channels of communication with new and existing authors, reviewers, editors and customers.

A degree in science, or relevant equivalent experience.

• Excellent communication skills interacting with internal and external colleagues.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills together with the ability to work under pressure, prioritise and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to take the initiative and solve problems independently and proactively.
• Good attention to detail.

Responsibilities could include (depending on the specific role):

• Work in a defined journal portfolio, typically of 4-6 titles.
• Carry out the assessment and selection (through peer review) of high-quality articles and reviews for publication.
• Attract world class authors to publish in the journals through direct invitation.
• Promote content published in RSC journals in collaboration with Marketing colleagues.
• Assist in the peer review of manuscripts submitted to the journal(s) by advising and supporting external Editors.
• Support the production of journals, including issue make up, themed collections, and associated tasks.
• Provide exceptional customer service to authors, reviewers, and external editors.
• National/European travel (where required).

At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we embrace flexibility and offer hybrid working, which means our teams come together when they need to collaborate. Although these roles are contractually based at our Cambridge office, you will be able to work from home within the UK, with the expectation that you will attend the office as needed for your role. In these roles it is expected that you will attend the office on an ad-hoc basis, typically no more frequently than once a month. If you need flexible working arrangements, please outline this in your application.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to all employees including:

• 26 days paid annual leave per annum, plus Bank Holidays (pro-rated for part time).
• 35 hour working week with flexible options, to be agreed with your line manager.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Pension plan with up to 12% employer contributions (depending upon your contribution).

We are happy to accept applications from candidates at all stages of their careers. Our aim is that our workforce, at all levels, will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best. Visit our Work For Us website to learn more about us, our benefits, equal opportunities statement and inclusive culture pledge. At the RSC, we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates.

As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we endeavour, where possible, to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role, who has a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and as part of this, we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information. If you would like to apply using a different format, please contact the Recruitment Team at jobs@rsc.org or on +44 (0) 1223 432229 and we will do our best to put any reasonable adjustments in place. If you have any questions, please contact us at jobs@rsc.org.