Chief Editor Peer J

Informa Group Plc.•Philadelphia, PA

7d•$115,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Editor is responsible for driving the success and growth of PeerJ by focusing on external engagement and strategic initiatives that elevate the journal’s reputation and impact within the scientific community. This role emphasizes building strong relationships with external stakeholders, representing PeerJ at key events, and fostering collaborations that align with the journal’s mission and audience expectations. The Chief Editor will also oversee editorial operations, ensure scientific integrity, and shape publication policies to reflect emerging trends and community needs.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant scientific discipline preferred
Significant experience in scientific publishing, with a key number of years in senior editorial roles
Demonstrated track record of editorial leadership and strategic vision
Extensive knowledge of open access publishing models and trends in scientific communication
Strong understanding of publication ethics and industry best practices
Strategic vision and ability to translate vision into actionable editorial strategies
Excellent scientific judgment and broad understanding of interdisciplinary research
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders in the scientific community
Excellent English comprehension and communication skills (written and verbal)
Exceptional analytical skills and data-driven decision-making capabilities
Demonstrated commitment to open science principles and practices
Impeccable scientific and professional integrity
Forward-thinking mindset with openness to innovation
Commercial acumen and a drive for results
Collaborative approach to leadership and problem-solving
Passion for advancing scientific communication and open access publishing
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific publishing
Must have the right to work and live in United States.

Responsibilities

Define and implement PeerJ's strategic editorial vision in collaboration with the publishing team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the needs of the scientific community.
Maintain strong connections to external stakeholders, including the journal’s Editorial Board, key funding bodies, and author communities, to ensure the journal meets the needs of its constituencies.
Develop innovative strategies to enhance PeerJ’s visibility, reputation, and impact globally.
Establish editorial priorities and content strategies that reflect emerging research trends and disciplinary developments.
Monitor significant trends in research areas within PeerJ’s scope and execute plans to ensure the journal is at the forefront of scientific discovery.
Gather editorial intelligence via attending conferences, conducting focus groups, holding individual meetings with Editorial Board members, etc., to ensure a complete and current understanding of researcher priorities and pain points.
Collaborate with senior leadership to shape the future direction of PeerJ's open access publishing model.
Lead and mentor a team of editors and senior editors, ensuring alignment with external engagement goals.
Oversee the scientific quality and editorial integrity of all published content.
Build and maintain strong relationships with Editors, Editorial Board members, and reviewers, including organizing in-person meetings and editorial board events to foster engagement.
Manage recruitment and training of new Editorial Board Members (EBMs) to ensure subject matter expertise.
Implement rigorous peer review processes that uphold the highest standards of scientific validity and reproducibility.
Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, EBMs, and readers, including direct communication with authors and external stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement of editorial workflows and decision-making processes.
Ensure adherence to publication ethics and best practices in scientific publishing.
Represent PeerJ at high-profile scientific conferences, meetings, and industry events to promote the journal and its mission.
Build and nurture relationships with key opinion leaders, research institutions, and funding organizations to expand PeerJ’s reach.
Actively engage with the scientific community to understand evolving needs and incorporate feedback into editorial policies.
Develop strategic partnerships with scientific societies, research organizations, and other external entities to enhance PeerJ’s visibility and impact.
Serve as the public face of PeerJ, advocating for its open access publishing model and fostering trust within the scientific community.
Assist in the daily management of the journal workflow, ensuring rapid and constructive peer-review and publication decisions, acting as handling editor on manuscripts as required.
Monitor key performance indicators related to submissions, acceptance rates, time-to-decision, and citation metrics, with a focus on external impact.
Support the implementation of innovative technologies and tools to improve editorial efficiency and manuscript handling.
Recruit, mentor, and retain a diverse and high-performing editorial team that prioritizes external engagement.
Work with internal colleagues to expand PeerJ’s Editorial Board, ensuring comprehensive subject matter expertise and external representation.
Provide leadership and guidance to PeerJ’s external Editors and Editorial Board members, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Create a culture of editorial excellence that encourages external partnerships and community-driven initiatives.