Executive Editor (PLoS ONE)

Executive Editor (PLoS ONE)

Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a mission-driven non-profit headquartered in San Francisco. It is committed to making the world’s scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. PLoS publishes peer-reviewed, open-access scientific and medical journals that include original research as well as feature articles. Everything PLoS publishes is freely available to be read, downloaded, copied, and distributed.

PLoS has a team of around 80, comprising editors, scientists, technologists, and production staff. Our work environment is team-oriented and rich in innovative ideas. PLoS’ distinguished board of directors is led by a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. Since 2003, we have launched several prominent scientific journals of worldwide impact.

The Executive Editor (PLoS ONE) is an editorial position working exclusively on PLoS ONE, an innovative, dynamic, award-winning and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed research journal. PLoS ONE is currently the third largest journal in the world and is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future. In order to support this growth, the journal has created a new position, and seeks a senior editorial staff member to fill it from the San Francisco office.

Individual editorial decisions on manuscripts are made by the journal’s academic editorial board of Academic Editors and Section Editors, informed by expert peer reviewers. The Executive Editor reports to the Publisher (PLoS ONE and the Community Journals), works closely with that person as well as the editorial board (of more than 900) to develop the editorial vision of PLoS ONE, and has responsibility for editorial policies and procedures on the journal.

Responsibilities

·        Provide editorial leadership and vision for the journal. This will include refining the journal’s scope, helping to set and maintain editorial standards, and helping to implement innovative publishing  methods,.

·        Work closely with the editorial board, and other in-house editors as necessary to ensure efficient, appropriate and timely handling of all submissions.  Act as an advisor to the editorial board as and when necessary.

·        Recruit new appropriately qualified individuals to the editorial board to reflect the breadth and scope of the journal. Manage the training of new board members and oversee the restructuring of the board as it develops.

·        Work closely with the in-house PLoS ONE team, and manager, to ensure rapid and effective communication between in-house staff, editorial board members, authors and reviewers. Help to train new in-house staff about editorial process and standards.

·        Maintain appropriate procedures for vetting submitted manuscripts, so that key publishing and ethical standards are met for submitted content, before they are passed to the editorial board.

·        Work with editorial board and other in-house editors as necessary, to resolve disputes in relation to submitted and published manuscripts.

·        Establish processes for auditing the journal’s editorial development and performance against original vision.

·        Oversee development of subject-based collections on the journal.

·        Provide editorial input to the development of promotional strategies for PLoS ONE.

·        Represent PLoS ONE within the academic community; publicise the journal by giving talks and presentations, and forge links with relevant institutions worldwide. This will involve regular travel.

Qualifications

·        PhD (or qualification to practice clinical medicine) plus biomedical research experience, equating to a total of at least 5 years' experience in an academic research environment or equivalent

·        2-5 years of editorial experience in scientific or medical journals publishing, ideally on a biomedical research journal

·        Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral

·        Excellent analytical skills and an appreciation of publishing standards for original biomedical research, and the confidence to deal with difficult editorial decisions

·        Good understanding of online and technical aspects of scientific communication

·        Ideally possessing an understanding of issues in clinical research ethics, and the ability to solve problems relating to ethical issues in submitted research

·        Organised and efficient

·        Ability to problem solve and set procedures

Application Procedure
PLoS offers a creative and casual work environment as well as a full range of comprehensive benefits, including medical; dental and vision; life, LTD and STD coverage and a matching 401k program. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Executive Editor, PLoS ONE" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date.