Associate Editor (6 month FTC)

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Editor to cover a fixed-term contract within our Publishing Operations team in central Bristol. The fixed-term contract is for six months duration.

We are seeking an individual with a strong academic background and genuine interest in science, along with excellent communication and organizational skills, to play a key role in the success and growth of our scientific journals.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career in scientific publishing. As Associate Editor, you will be working on a portfolio of journals, contributing to improving the quality of content and author service. Applying sound scientific judgement and working in a close-knit team, collaboratively and cross-functionally, you will be responsible for providing a quality and efficient peer-review process across a portfolio of journals – the process that ensures quality and validity of research papers submitted to IOP Publishing for publication. This involves selecting appropriate reviewers, making decisions at key stages of the process, improving author and reviewer service, and upholding the journals’ high standards in timeliness, quality and accuracy. You may also be involved in occasional project work, liaising with marketing to improve journal visibility, and participating in Editorial Board meetings. The role does not involve typesetting, proof-reading or other production aspects, although attention to detail is, of course, vital.

As you will be interacting with leading academics from around the world, you will be a confident communicator and ambassador for IOP Publishing. On occasion, you may need to handle disagreement or conflict effectively, so tact and diplomacy will also be vital. While a background in physics is not essential, you will be expected to continuously develop a working knowledge of your journals’ subject areas in the role.

About you
Successful applicants will possess, or demonstrate:

• A first degree (BSc or BA), ideally in a scientific subject, with broad knowledge and interest in science
• Ability to take responsibility within a team framework, and use initiative to plan and manage own workload
• Good communication, time management, planning and team-working skills
• Excellent attention to detail and good decision-making ability
• A background in physical science would be beneficial
• Previous publishing experience, ideally STM, would be advantageous, with an understanding of the peer-review process, but is by no means essential

About the benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes an excellent pension scheme, discretionary annual bonus scheme, private medical insurance, life assurance and generous annual leave, and a range of flexible benefits including childcare vouchers and gym membership. We also have a subsidised café, which is a popular, sociable spot for meetings and lunch.

Our modern and contemporary offices are based in the thriving city centre of Bristol, a stone’s throw away from Temple Meads train station, and within walking distance of Cabot Circus shopping centre, and numerous cafés and restaurants. Named on more than one occasion as the best city in the UK in which to to live, Bristol is a cosmopolitan and creative city boasting a historic harbour, internationally renowned cultural institutions and home to world-class festivals and events.

To apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience, and how this applies to the role and requirements outlined, and why you are interested in this opportunity and IOP Publishing.

About us
IOP Publishing is an international scientific publisher, through which leading-edge research is distributed worldwide. Our rapidly expanding journals programme is published alongside other sources of scientific information in the form of eBooks, magazines and conference proceedings. Other publications include easily accessible community and regional websites. We are a world leader in the development of electronic publishing for the scientific community and have offices in Europe, Asia and the US. Working in the interests of science and scientists, we aim to maximize the impact of the research we publish.

IOP Publishing is central to the Institute of Physics, a not-for-profit society. Any financial surplus earned by IOP Publishing goes to supporting science through the activities of the Institute. With a continuing focus on growth, we recognize that every single person has a real part to play if we are to achieve our aim of becoming the world’s leading publisher in our field.