Locum Chief Editor, Nature Reviews Methods Primers

Job Title: Locum Chief Editor, Nature Reviews Methods Primers

Location(s): New York or Heidelberg (hybrid working)

Closing date: August 23rd, 2024

About Springer Nature Group

Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 175 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities and today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow.

About the Brand

Nature Portfolio is a flagship portfolio of journals, products and services including Nature and the Nature-branded journals, dedicated to serving the scientific community. Visit nature.com and follow @Nature / @NaturePortfolio

​About the Role

Nature Reviews Methods Primers (https://www.nature.com/nrmp) has a vacancy for a Locum Chief Editor for an initial period of 6 months.

Nature Reviews Methods Primers is an online-only journal publishing high-quality Primer articles covering analytical, applied, statistical, theoretical and computational methods used in the life and physical sciences.

For this exciting role, the ideal candidate will have broad scientific knowledge and be able to invite and handle papers that cover the scope of the journal. Candidates should also have excellent literary and verbal communication skills; a commitment to the communication of scientific ideas; outstanding leadership qualities; commercial awareness and a positive attitude to change. They should have a PhD in life sciences, physics or materials science, a strong research background and previous editorial experience. Experience with line management would be beneficial.

A key aspect of the job is interaction with the scientific community, including attending international conferences. The successful candidate must, therefore, be dynamic and outgoing, be prepared to travel and have excellent interpersonal and networking skills.

The position will be based in the New York or Heidelberg offices of Springer Nature, and the terms and conditions are competitive, reflecting the importance and responsibilities of the role. All employees will be expected to be based in the office in line with Springer Nature’s hybrid working policies. As Springer Nature is committed to our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.  

The Chief Editor’s role is busy and varied. You will:

• Manage a small team of two editors (based in London) but work across a wider team that includes art editors, editorial administrators, production editors and the wider Nature Reviews and Nature Portfolio editorial and publishing groups.
• Develop and drive the journal strategy, and ensure the journal meets its publishing goals.
• Commission journal content including Primers and short opinion pieces (Comments).
• Work closely with authors throughout the writing and revision process by providing feedback on synopses, developmentally editing first drafts, and line-by-line editing final manuscripts before acceptance.
• Organize and manage peer-review.
• Write PrimeViews and other editorial content.
• Interact extensively with the scientific community through laboratory visits and international conferences, virtually or in-person.

To apply please:

• Send a recent CV and covering letter stating notice period and salary expectations.
• Please also submit 10 commissioning ideas and a vision statement for the journal (2,000 words).
• The vision statement should outline the key objectives for the journal for the next 12 months and should include an overall journal strategy (commenting on, for example, key areas for commissioning, areas where coverage could be decreased or increased, how to make best use of the shorter commentary section of the journal, how to maximize networking, how to improve author and referee services and how to build a journal voice).
• Please also include an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the journal. 

For further information about Nature Reviews Methods Primers please visit https://www.nature.com/nrmp/

Please note we will be reviewing candidate applications as they are submitted and so would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

US Annualized Base Salary Range: $120,000 - $125,000. The salary offer may vary based on work experience, education, skill level and equity. The US salary range does not align with the salary ranges in other countries when converted to the currency of that country.

Springer Nature is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster

Internal applicants: We encourage that you speak to your manager once the interview process has started. At the point of offer acceptance, it is required that you inform your manager.  If for any reason you’re unable to do so, please contact HR who can provide guidance as required.

At Springer Nature we value the diversity of our teams. We recognize the many benefits of a diverse workforce with equitable opportunities for everyone. We strive for an inclusive workplace that empowers all our colleagues to thrive. Our search for the best talent fully encompasses and embraces these values and principles. Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work here. https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion.

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://careers.springernature.com/.