Locum Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Plants

Nature Plants is seeking a highly motivated scientist for a nine-month locum Associate or Senior Editor position. The role involves handling manuscripts in all areas of plant research, particularly plant ecology, agroecology, remote sensing, and physiology. The editor will select and reject manuscripts, foster relationships with researchers, and contribute to editorial and publishing activities. This is an opportunity to develop editorial skills and stay at the forefront of plant research.

Must Have

• Possess a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Have a passion for science and a thirst to learn more
• Demonstrate broad interest in scientific research
• Exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Be fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Be able to read and assess the novelty, context and implications of research
• Possess the ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment

Good to Have

• Postdoctoral experience
• Experience in ecology or agroecology, or plant physiology

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature.

About The Brand

Nature Portfolio’s high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences help move science and society forward.

Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international weekly journal of science, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.

Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with content, including news and comment from the Nature journal, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. As part of Springer Nature, Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @NaturePortfolio.

About The Role

Do you love science especially plant ecology, plant physiology or plant biology more generally? Do you enjoy reading papers outside your chosen area of research? If the answer to these questions is yes, you could be the person we’re looking for to join the editorial team of Nature Plants for nine months. This is a great opportunity to learn and develop editorial skills, to interact with a multidisciplinary team and be on top of what is happening at the forefront of plant research.

Nature Plants is the premier journal for plant research in the Nature Research portfolio, publishing original, peer-reviewed research on all aspects of plants. We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with strong interest in plant research, ability to think critically and across a range of topics. Candidates with experience in ecology or agroecology, or plant physiology are particularly encouraged to apply.

Purpose of the role:

Handling manuscripts in all areas of plant research, particularly plant ecology, agroecology, remote sensing, and physiology; participating in the daily life of the Nature Plants team; contributing significantly to editorial activities and (as appropriate) to the publishing activities of Nature Plants; and such other tasks as the company may assign from time to time.

Key Tasks

Manuscripts

• Selecting and rejecting manuscripts for publication, within the framework of current editorial policy.
• Cover for absent colleagues or lack of special knowledge in the editorial team.
• Establishing Nature Plants reputation in the scientific community by fostering good relationships with researchers.
• Where agreed, taking responsibility for the development of a broad subject area.
• Where agreed, defining topics for Perspective and Review Articles, assessing proposals from potential authors of such articles, handling the resulting manuscripts and improving them via effective editing

Training and development

• Helping other members of the team in handling manuscripts, and participating generally in the training and evolution of the team.
• Active participation in planning an effective publishing strategy for authors; where agreed, taking responsibility for the journals input into technological and operational developments.

Relationships with other departments

• Developing and maintaining effective and productive relations with other members of staff, including other Nature journal editors, editorial assistants, and other relevant departments, such as Author Services.
• Coordinating and collaborating with commercial colleagues, including advice to marketing and advertising departments and making constructive suggestions for sponsored projects.

Key People

Other members of the Nature Plants team; the Editorial Director; commercial departments; editorial assistants; other Nature journal editors.

To be considered for the position, you will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Postdoctoral experience preferred but not required
• A passion for science and a thirst to learn more.
• Broad interest in scientific research, both within and beyond your specialty.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and fluency in English (written and spoken).
• The ability to read and assess the novelty, context and implications of research submitted to the journal from different areas of this discipline.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment.

Applicants should submit a CV, a brief cover letter explaining their interest for the position, and a ‘Research Highlight’ of no more than 300 words on an intriguing paper published in the last 3 months.

The successful candidate will report to the Chief Editor, and will handle original research papers, and work closely with other editors on all aspects of the editorial process, including manuscript selection and overseeing peer review. You will liaise extensively with editors at other journals in the Nature family, and other experts in the international scientific community.

This role will be located in our Shanghai or New Delhi office. The position is offered on a full-time basis and is anticipated to cover a fixed term of 9 months.

At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress – and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation. 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://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/

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