Scientific Editor, Life Science Alliance

Life Science Alliance (https://www.life-science-alliance.org) is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal with a global reach founded by an alliance of EMBO Press, Rockefeller University Press, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. The journal is committed to rapid, fair, and transparent publication of valuable research from the life sciences. Life Science Alliance is integrated into an innovative transfer network with the nine research journals published by the Alliance partners.

EMBO Solutions is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to the advancement of life sciences and the support of scientists. We provide editorial expertise to Life Science Alliance and are located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany. We are wholly owned by EMBO, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences. 

Your role

You will join the Life Science Alliance international editorial team as a Scientific Editor at EMBO Solutions, based in Heidelberg. We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with broad and international high-level research experience. You will have a diverse set of responsibilities towards ensuring that Life Science Alliance publishes peer-reviewed material of the highest quality. 

As part of the editorial team of Life Science Alliance, you will work in collaboration with the internationally based Executive Editor and Academic Editors to select research papers and reviews in a broad range of biomolecular research areas. You will also be part of the local EMBO Press editorial community based at EMBO in Heidelberg. You will have the opportunity to form extensive contacts to the scientific community and travel to conferences and research institutions as part of your role. 

Specific responsibilities

• You will critically evaluate submitted manuscripts and identify suitable academic editors/editorial advisory board advisors/reviewers
• You will interpret reviewer reports and author responses and will take decisions on the publication, revision or rejection of submitted research manuscripts or manuscript transferred from Life Science Alliance partner journals. 
• Professional and scholarly manner to justify editorial decisions
• You will attend regular editorial meetings with your colleagues
• You will be responsible for the acceptance of manuscripts for publication that meet Life Science Alliance editorial standards and publication policies.
• You will attend conferences and visit  research institutions to represent Life Science Alliance
• Where appropriate, you will commission, peer review and developmentally edit review articles
• You will be involved in publicity and social media activities

Your role will involve some travel and working outside of the normal working hours, in the evenings or during the weekend.

Who you are 

As Scientific Editor, you will be entrusted with the fair and rigorous assessment of the works submitted to the journal. You should be committed to scientific rigor, transparency and integrity as principles of effective dissemination of scientific research. 

You should have completed one or more successful postdoctoral fellowships and have expertise in any field of the biomedical and life sciences. 

Your previous experience of working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, international academic environment will be essential.

Prior editorial experience will be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite.

Your work with us will require excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and a decisive, judicious, detail-oriented, analytical and impartial mind. Your core skills will include good organizational skills, multi-tasking, an ability to prioritise and to follow guidelines, and the ability to work autonomously.

Why join us

Supportive, international environment

EMBO Solutions values diversity and is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. We cultivate a work environment where employees are valued and empowered to excel professionally.

Our offices are located on the EMBL campus in Heidelberg, Germany, which is home to over 1,000 employees from around the world. The campus has an on-site nursery, subsidized canteen and cafeteria, as well as clubs for social activities and sports.

Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is attractively located between the Rhine River and the Odenwald, a low mountain range that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The city has good national and international travel connections.

Enjoy attractive employee benefits

EMBO Solutions provides competitive compensation and benefits suitable for a non-profit organization, including:

• Competitive salary with transparent reviews
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options
• 30 days of paid annual leave plus public holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and training

Support the Open Access communication of impactful research

As a member of the Life Science Alliance editorial team, you will be supporting the rapid and open communication of impactful research, ensuring that authors experience fair and efficient editorial and peer review.

Contract duration 

EMBO Solutions is offering a full-time position based on the Heidelberg campus for a fixed term of 2 years with a 6-month probation period. The renewal of this position will be subject to strategic review depending on circumstances at the end of the 2-year period.

Application Instructions & Closing Date

Please apply by November 15, 2024 to [email protected]. Please send by email the following:

• A CV with bibliographic information
• A short biosketch to describe your research papers
• A brief cover letter outlining why you are attracted to the position and how your background and expertise would benefit the journal.
• Please do not include photographs or bibliometrics.