Senior Editor, Publication Ethics

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.

Role Summary

As a Senior Editor, Publication Ethics, you investigate and resolve publication ethics cases for all PLOS journals, provide publication ethics support to PLOS journal teams, and contribute to team-level initiatives and projects that address ethics and integrity issues at PLOS.

This role is in the Publication Ethics team’s standard case group. This group’s primary case work responsibilities cover a broad array of integrity issues (e.g., image/data integrity, animal/human research ethics, authorship or data ownership disputes, etc.) that typically involve individual articles or research groups. Editors within this group may also be asked to contribute to work involving large-scale cases, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Resolve publication ethics cases efficiently and in line with PLOS standards and COPE guidance; provide timely support for others’ publication ethics case work; address escalations and queries about publication ethics issues; 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 and/or cross-functional 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 other parties involved in 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.
• 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. Provide training and feedback for other Publication Ethics team members as needed.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism in all internal and external communications about publication ethics issues.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral
• Highly organized and efficient self-starter with excellent attention to detail and excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• A collaborative team player who is comfortable working with a remote team
• A commitment to open access and research integrity
• Familiarity with peer review, publishing, editorial decision-making, and publication ethics issues and standards
• Prior experience investigating and resolving publication ethics cases
• Knowledge of Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards and guidance
• (Preferred) Expertise in image forensics; experience delivering trainings

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline
• 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) Post-graduate research experience in a scientific, clinical, or social sciences discipline

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

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