Types of Editors

1
Types of Editors

• Vivian Siegel, PhD
• Director, Center for Science Communication
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

2
What follows

• Job descriptions from recent job listings at
  nature jobs, council of science editors jobs,
  sciencejobs, and monster jobs
• Note the same label (e.g., associate editor) can
  mean different things

3
Copy Editor, Manuscript Editor

• Copyedit and proofread proof pages to ensure
  consistent accuracy and style in accordance with
  established style conventions
• Interact with authors to complete fact checking,
  review, and changes to manuscripts
• Manage time effectively to adhere to the
  established publication schedule
• Maintain an average editing speed of 6-9
  manuscript pages per hour

4
Assistant, Associate Editor

• will have two main roles, both of which focus on
  attracting high quality submissions and reviews
  to the Journal and increasing the Journals
  exposure within the research community. Will
  assist in the administration of the peer review
  process and implementation of progressive changes
  to the Journal to make it more attractive to
  readers and authors. Will also commission and
  edit review articles for the journal, which will
  involve direct interaction with scientists to
  help them make the pieces more accessible to the
  readership of the journal.
• Ph.D. in a relevant field required. Experience in
  an editorial office preferred. Must be willing
  and able to travel to relevant scientific
  meetings and laboratory visits.

5
Associate Editor, Reviews Editor

• The Associate Editor is a key member of the
  journal team, contributing by editing
  commissioned content and writing copy. The
  successful candidate will work closely with the
  journals in-house team and internationally
  renowned Editor-in-Chief and Advisory Board. Key
  tasks will include commissioning, writing and
  editing of material for a substantial portion of
  each months issue. This role will be based in
  Nature Publishing Groups modern offices in
  London.
• While subject knowledge is not essential for this
  position, you should have a keen interest in
  medical publishing, a proactive approach, and
  outstanding organisational skills. Previous
  editorial experience would be an advantage.
  Candidates should have a good undergraduate
  degree, preferably in a biomedical discipline,
  and they will also be asked to complete tests to
  demonstrate editorial and writing ability.

6
Scientific Editor

• As a scientific editor, you would be responsible
  for assessing submitted research papers,
  overseeing the refereeing process, and choosing
  and commissioning review material. You would also
  travel frequently to scientific conferences to
  follow developments in research and establish and
  maintain close ties with the scientific
  community. The key qualities we look for are
  breadth of scientific interest and the ability to
  think critically about a wide range of scientific
  issues. The successful candidate will also be
  highly motivated and creative, and able to work
  independently as well as in a team.

7
Assistant Editor

• Cell is seeking an assistant editor to join the
  editorial team of its dynamic new front section
  called Leading Edge. Launched in December 2005,
  Leading Edge explores all areas of cell and
  molecular biology research in both traditional
  Cell formats (Reviews, Minireviews and Previews)
  and new formats (Essay, Correspondence, Select,
  SnapShot), while also including discussion of,
  for example, science policy and funding in
  Analysis and Commentary articles. The successful
  candidate will have a PhD in the biological
  sciences and preferably some postdoctoral
  experience, broad scientific interests and an
  ability to critically evaluate the relevant
  published literature, a flair for using the
  English language and a true passion for both
  science and science communication. They should be
  highly organized and dedicated, with excellent
  written and oral communication skills and should
  be willing to work to tight deadlines within
  close-knit editorial and production teams.

8
Senior Scientific Editor

• Oversight of all editorial aspects of the
  journal, including peer review of research
  articles and commissioning of additional content.
  This includes fostering a collaborative
  decision-making process among in-house editors
  and the editorial board
• Management of the journal editorial staff
• Working with the PLoS leadership and the journal
  team to determine journal strategy within the
  context of our publishing portfolio and
  open-access goals
• Leading the further development of the journal
  specifically as we introduce web features that
  will allow greater user participation
• Attending international scientific conferences
  and outreach to the scientific community,
  representing PLoS Biology and the broader aims of
  open access

9
Editor in Chief

• The Editor-in-Chief shapes the mission and
  philosophy of the journal and is responsible for
  the content of the journal from planning and
  acquisition through to editing, design, and
  print. The editor works with a team to help
  ensure that the journal is financially sound by
  collaborating with the publisher and numerous
  business units including marketing, circulation,
  and advertising. The Editor-in-Chief provides
  editorial and market guidance and works to ensure
  the highest possible standards for manuscripts.

10
Senior Editor

• Develop major story ideas suited to Seeds unique
  way of covering science, scientists, and Seeds
  science is culture mission.
• Effectively commission and edit features attract
  new writers and cultivate existing writer
  relationships and staff.
• Capably manage multiple projects and deliver them
  on time.

11
Acquisitions Editor (books)

• Responsibilities include acquiring and
  developing for publication by the Press 20-25
  academic and trade book-length manuscripts a year
  (other areas of specialty will also be considered
  such as law and religion) identifying potential
  authors through research, correspondence, and
  travel evaluating quality and sales potential
  for solicited and unsolicited manuscripts and
  proposals obtaining outside critical appraisals
  from qualified advisors presenting superior
  projects for approval by Press management and
  Faculty Editorial Board negotiating contracts
  with authors, agents, and foreign publishers
  mediating interests of Press and author through
  all stages of publication process. Must meet
  financial targets by ensuring appropriate product
  and volume to bring about profitable results in
  an ongoing manner.

12
Associate Editor/Editor (Blackwell)

• Research, agree and implement ideas for
  developing the content and financial contribution
  for titles managed. Meet annual list development
  target assigned.
• Monitor contract terms for titles managed and,
  working closely with Production, Marketing and
  Sales colleagues, take responsibility for
  ensuring their successful renewal or
  renegotiation as necessary.
• As required, attend editorial and society board
  meetings as a regular aspect of maintaining and
  improving the client relationship and/or
  financial performance of titles managed.
• Oversee and ensure a smooth transition process
  for newly acquired titles to meet all contractual
  requirements.
• Handle all editorial related correspondence with
  external journal editors.
• Check, finalize and distribute annual/quarterly
  reports/budgets to meet contractual requirements.
• Consult with other departments (Production,
  Marketing and Sales, Finance, etc.) and share
  information as necessary to help enable effective
  relationship management by each individual
  department, and to ensure proper editorial title
  management and fulfillment of contractual
  obligations.

13
News Director

• The ideal candidate will take an innovative
  approach to the creation of new types of news
  content and new ways of disseminating that
  content in all types of media. Will take a
  leading role in a Press-wide effort to increase
  the visibility of the journals within the
  scientific community. Will produce and edit
  current news content, including stories
  highlighting content in the journals published by
  the Press and content from other leading
  biomedical journals. Other expected news content
  includes meeting reports, scientist profiles, and
  feature articles. Will supervise and edit
  in-house writing staff and train new personnel,
  commission and edit freelance work for ongoing
  and special news items, and work with production
  staff to ensure that the production quality of
  the news section is of the highest standard. Will
  represent the Press at site visits and scientific
  conferences to generate interest in publishing in
  the journals.

14
Publisher

• The position includes responsibility for all
  editorial and business aspects for the journals
  Cancer Research Clinical Cancer Research Cancer
  Epidemiology, Biomarkers Prevention Molecular
  Cancer Therapeutics Molecular Cancer Research
  AACR Cancer Reviews Online (a virtual journal)
  for meeting-related publications (Proceedings and
  programs) and for new publications and
  electronic products.
• Map the strategic direction for the AACR
  Publishing Program, including integrating the
  program with other AACR initiatives and assessing
  how well the program is meeting objectives
• Oversee liaison with outside editors for
  editorial scope and policy issues and for synergy
  among journals
• Maintain editorial quality through a rigorous
  peer review system and strict production
  standards
• Direct all fiscal aspects for an expanding
  publishing program, including setting budget
  targets expanding revenue generation through
  subscriptions, licensing, advertising, reprints,
  and other sales and controlling costs
• Propose and implement business plans for new
  products and services
• Contract for all services including editing,
  pre-press and printing, online hosting, and
  advertising and reprint sales
• Serve as a senior member of the AACR staff and
  manage a division staff headed by experienced
  directors and managers