The PLOS Publication Ethics team works to uphold the integrity and reliability of PLOS publications and supports PLOS journals in publication ethics-related issues and policy development. The team also engages with external parties and organizations in publication ethics-related discussions and initiatives.

We are hiring a Senior Editor, Publication Ethics, who will work within our megacase management group to detect, prevent, investigate, and resolve large-scale integrity issues. You may also be asked to handle other types of publication ethics cases (e.g., post-publication concerns about image or data integrity, research ethics, or compliance with PLOS policies). In addition, you will provide publication ethics support to PLOS journal teams and contribute to team-level initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity issues at PLOS.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• none

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Pub Ethics team’s efforts to detect, prevent, investigate, and resolve large-scale integrity issues.
• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently and prevent reputational damage to PLOS journals as feasible.
• Contribute as requested to tasks, cases, documentation, and other processes needed to support the team’s casework and other objectives.
• Contribute to team-level initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity issues at PLOS. (e.g., development of workflows or policy updates; development, trials, and/or implementation of approaches to improve detection, prevention, and/or resolution of publication ethics cases)
• Support journal staff editors in resolving publication ethics issues that arise during manuscript handling, peer review, or post-publication.
• Communicate rapidly and effectively about ethics cases with involved/affected stakeholders, including the journal’s editorial leads, Editorial Board members, authors, members of other PLOS teams, and any external consultants involved in supporting publication ethics case work.
• Contribute to internal discussions about publication ethics, research integrity, and related issues in team-level and interdepartmental/cross-team forums.
• Maintain an awareness of cross-industry issues and initiatives and attend COPE Forums that fall within your working hours.
• You may be asked to represent PLOS Publication Ethics at meetings, workshops, and/or other forums relevant to publication ethics and research integrity, or to contribute to outward-facing communications about publication ethics issues. You may also be asked to represent PLOS on an external project or working group related to publication ethics work.
• Help with recruitment and onboarding for vacant team positions and help to train staff on other PLOS teams in publication ethics case management and standards.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism in all internal and external communications about publication ethics issues.

Knowledge and Skills

Required:

• Familiarity with peer review, publishing, editorial decision-making, and publication ethics issues and standards
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral
• Excellent analytical skills
• Organized and efficient with a strong problem-solving ability and an eye for detail

Preferred:

• Knowledge of large-scale integrity threats impacting scholarly publishing
• Knowledge of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards and guidance
• Reporting and data analytics skills

Qualifications

Required

• A Master’s degree or PhD in a scientific discipline
• At least 2 years of experience in an editorial or publication ethics role in science, technical, and medical (STM) publishing
• First-hand experience resolving publication ethics cases in STM publishing
• A demonstrated aptitude for critically evaluating scientific articles or publication ethics issues

Preferred

• Experience in primary scientific research
• Experience investigating and/or resolving large-scale integrity cases for an STM publisher

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Prolonged periods stationary at a desk and working on a computer
• Some national and international travel will be required
• Some flexibility to work across time zones