Jobs@PLoS

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a non-profit advocacy and publishing organization located in the China Basin area of San Francisco, California. We publish a growing collection of Open Access scientific and medical journals whose complete contents are freely available online. Our long-term goals are to create an online "public library of science" containing every scientific and medical paper ever published, and to develop the information technologies needed to maximize the value of this resource. For more information about PLoS, visit http://www.plos.org/.

The Public Library of Science and its publications continue to expand. Currently, we are seeking talented candidates for the following positions:

Publications Assistant - PLoS ONE

Organization Overview

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is headquartered in San Francisco and committed to making the world’s scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. PLoS publishes peer-reviewed, open-access scientific and medical journals that include original research as well as feature articles. Everything PLoS publishes is freely available to be read, downloaded, copied, and distributed.

PLoS has a team of 80, comprising editors, scientists, technologists, and production staff. Our work environment is team-oriented and rich in innovative ideas. PLoS’ distinguished board of directors is led by a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. In under six years, we have launched several prominent scientific journals of worldwide impact.

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is an open-access publisher and advocacy organization with offices in San Francisco, California, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, whose mission is to make scientific and medical literature a public resource.

PLoS currently seeks an energetic and committed person for the entry-level position of Publications Assistant for its peer-reviewed journal, PLoS ONE (the largest Open Access journal in the world). This full-time position in our San Francisco office provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the changing publishing environment and contribute to a dynamic and mission-driven not-for-profit organization that is part of the free-knowledge/free-culture movement.

As a member of the editorial team, the Publications Assistant handles the fast-paced, day-to-day editorial and online production tasks required for the smooth functioning of the journal.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

  • Assisting authors, editors, and reviewers by answering queries, uploading files, ensuring timely submission of reviews
  • Checking quality of submitted files and finished products (PDF, XML)
  • Contacting and supporting editorial board members
  • Assisting in production tasks (checking online files, running stats reports)
  • Fielding questions from scientists, and members of the public about the journal and the organization

Required experience/abilities:

  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Organizational skills (strong ability to prioritize, multitask, and work independently)
  • Language ability (knowledge of grammar and attention to detail in proofreading)
  • Technical proficiencies (especially knowledge of excel, word, databases, file types, and file conversions)
  • Graphics experience (proficiency with Adobe software, understanding of basic digital media concepts such as resolution and file types)
  • A science degree

Annual Salary is around $30K (depending on qualifications and experience).

Application Procedure

PLoS offers a creative and casual work environment as well as a full range of comprehensive benefits, including medical; dental and vision; life, LTD and STD coverage and a matching 401k program. If interested, Please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Publications Assistant PLoS ONE" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date. No phone calls or visits, please. Principals only – email from recruiters will be ignored. For more information about PLoS, visit http://www.plos.org/.

Production Coordinator

Organization Overview

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is headquartered in San Francisco and committed to making the world’s scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. PLoS publishes peer-reviewed, open-access scientific and medical journals that include original research as well as feature articles. Everything PLoS publishes is freely available to be read, downloaded, copied, and distributed.

PLoS has a team of 80, comprising editors, scientists, technologists, and production staff. Our work environment is team-oriented and rich in innovative ideas. PLoS’ distinguished board of directors is led by a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. In under six years, we have launched several prominent scientific journals of worldwide impact.

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is an open-access publisher and advocacy organization with offices in San Francisco, California, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, whose mission is to make scientific and medical literature a public resource.

Production Coordinator

We are currently seeking a Production Coordinator to format, manage, and provide quality control for electronic manuscript files and graphics accepted for publication. You will perform light copyediting tasks, prepare files for composition and will be responsible for tracking files in multiple stages of production. In addition, you will work with authors to ensure that all submissions are complete and that files are usable, and with the Lead Production Coordinator to execute timely publication of articles. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to work well with the other members on the team.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Performing quality control and light copyediting on text files and article metadata
  • Ensuring that figures and tables meet publication requirements
  • Checking proofs and web files before final publication

Qualifications and experience required:

  • Organizational skills (strong ability to manage deadlines and coordinate tasks)
  • Graphics experience (proficiency with Adobe software, understanding of basic digital media concepts such as resolution and file types, ability to manipulate images and files comfortably)
  • Good communication skills
  • Language ability (knowledge of grammar and attention to detail in proofreading)
  • Ability to learn and enforce style and formatting rules
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and basic knowledge of XML or HTML
  • Experience with scientific and medical publications and/or other publishing preferred

PLoS offers a creative and casual work environment as well as a full range of comprehensive benefits, including medical; dental and vision; life, LTD and STD coverage and a matching 401k program. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Production Coordinator PLoS ONE" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date. No phone calls or visits, please. Principals only – email from recruiters will be ignored. For more information about PLoS, visit http://www.plos.org/.

Application Specialist Contractor

Organization Overview

The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is headquartered in San Francisco and committed to making the world’s scientific and medical literature a freely available public resource. PLoS publishes peer-reviewed, open-access scientific and medical journals that include original research as well as feature articles. Everything PLoS publishes is freely available to be read, downloaded, copied, and distributed.

PLoS has a team of 80, comprising editors, scientists, technologists, and production staff. Our work environment is team-oriented and rich in innovative ideas. PLoS' distinguished board of directors is led by a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. In under six years, we have launched several prominent scientific journals of worldwide impact.

PLoS is an open-access publisher and advocacy organization with offices in San Francisco, California, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, whose mission is to make scientific and medical literature a public resource.

Description

This role will report to the Publishing Systems Analyst. The Application Specialist will train in the journal management system (JMS) used by PLoS to provide first level support to internal staff, perform data cleanup on the existing system, assist with report creation and modification, and create documentation for the use of the software.

Responsibilities

  • Support
    • Work directly with internal staff to troubleshoot and resolve issues with and related to the JMS
    • Track common issues and communicate systemic problems
    • Identify and escalate critical system issues
  • Data Cleanup
    • Perform data cleanup on existing projects
    • Verify data validity through spot checking and running verification reports
    • Analyze data sets and identify/propose additional data cleanup projects
  • Reporting
    • Modify existing SQL queries as necessary to meet organizational reporting needs
    • Create new reports to validate data cleanup projects
  • Documentation
    • Record common system issues and develop documentation to provide staff with best practices to resolve
    • Update existing documentation as processes change
    • Create historical record of project decisions

Skills Desired

  • Ability to write new and interpret existing SQL database queries (e.g. select statements, inner and outer joins)
  • Basic knowledge of HTML
  • Experience in programming concepts/data structures (PHP and Perl experience a plus)
  • Proficient in Windows and MS Office products
  • Works well with users (friendly and patient) to solve complex problems
  • Self motivated, creative problem solver who is able to work to a deadline and cares highly about the quality of his or her work
  • Proven writing skills, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex material clearly and logically

This is a contract job. If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Application Specialist Contractor" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date. No phone calls or visits, please. Principals only—email from recruiters will be ignored.

Editorial Manager - US Community Journals

PLEASE NOTE: This advert describes one of two available positions within PLoS (both newly created). Although the two positions possess the same title (Editorial Manager) and are largely similar, they do work on two different projects within PLoS (‘the Community Journals’ and ‘PLoS ONE’) and as such there is a genuine difference in the skill sets needed for each job. Applicants should study the two job descriptions to see the differences between them. Broadly speaking, the ‘Editorial Manager (Community Journals)' will have some involvement in the editorial activities of the journals in addition to staff oversight and process optimization, while the ‘Editorial Manager (PLoS ONE)’ will not have any editorial responsibilities but will instead focus more on line management and process optimization. Although we will accept applications for both positions, we do encourage applicants to carefully consider which of the positions they are most suited for and adapt their applications accordingly.

The Editorial Manager is a senior member of the editorial administration team that supports the journals published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS). The Editorial Manager – US Community Journals has overall responsibility for the editorial administration of the two US-based community-run journals PLoS Pathogens and PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. He/she will work closely with the Editorial Manager overseeing the UK-based community-run journals and will have full awareness and knowledge of the editorial and administrative activities that they oversee. This full-time position is based in San Francisco. The Editorial Manager will report to and work closely with the Managing Editor.

Journal Management

  • Overall responsibility for journal administration and assignment of tasks within the journal team, plus oversight of freelance and outsource staff
  • Contribute to journal development in collaboration with Managing Editor and other PLoS senior editorial staff
  • Ensure that the standard editorial processes are robust, are being followed according to established objectives, and are in alignment with related PLoS journals
  • Address complex editorial issues related to the journal, offering advice and training to colleagues on other journals as appropriate
  • Assess and monitor resourcing and capacities, providing coverage for project staff when necessary
  • Identification of opportunities for improved efficiencies and customer service
  • Oversight of relationship with and communications to Editorial Board
  • Monitoring and analysis of journal statistics – and taking action where needed
  • Fielding inquiries from the media and other external contacts

Cross-Journal Work

  • Coordination with Editorial Managers and Publications Managers to ensure harmonization and efficiency of processes, journal systems, website information, etc
  • Planning and coordinating cross-journal coverage as necessary
  • Liaison with Publications Team and taking responsibility for certain assigned tasks (eg coordination of pricing increase information across journals, providing editorial input for web projects, etc)
  • Fully represent journal(s) on major cross-journal projects

Staff Management

  • Recruitment, training, and development of journals’ PA and PM staff
  • Appraisals for assigned staff and recommendations for promotion as appropriate

General

  • Representing PLoS externally (eg at conferences, events)
  • Able to deputize for the Managing Editor
  • Aware of PLoS’ broader organization objectives and able to explain to internal and external stakeholders all new developments in relation to these objectives
  • Aware of, and must work within, the budgetary constraints of the journal

Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

  • Expected to have 4+ years experience in STM Journals publishing within editorial
  • Experience and aptitude for the management and supervision of staff
  • Strong collaboration skills and ability to achieve consensus
  • Excellent communication skills, written and oral
  • Proactive approach to the identification of opportunities for improvement
  • A mature and professional approach

PLoS offers a creative and casual work environment as well as a full range of comprehensive benefits, including medical; dental and vision; life, LTD and STD coverage and a matching 401k program. If interested, Please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Editorial Manager - CJs" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date. No phone calls or visits, please. Principals only – email from recruiters will be ignored. For more information about PLoS, visit http://www.plos.org/.

Editorial Manager - PLoS ONE

PLEASE NOTE: This advert describes one of two available positions within PLoS (both newly created). Although the two positions possess the same title (Editorial Manager) and are largely similar, they do work on two different projects within PLoS (‘the Community Journals’ and ‘PLoS ONE’) and as such there is a genuine difference in the skill sets needed for each job. Applicants should study the two job descriptions to see the differences between them. Broadly speaking, the ‘Editorial Manager (Community Journals)' will have some involvement in the editorial activities of the journals in addition to staff oversight and process optimization, while the ‘Editorial Manager (PLoS ONE)’ will not have any editorial responsibilities but will instead focus more on line management and process optimization. Although we will accept applications for both positions, we do encourage applicants to carefully consider which of the positions they are most suited for and adapt their applications accordingly.

The Editorial Manager is a senior member of the editorial administration team that supports the journals published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS). The Editorial Manager – PLoS ONE (US) contributes towards the overall responsibility for the editorial administration of PLoS ONE (a fast growing and dynamic journal within the PLoS family) and focuses their attention on the management of the US based staff. He/she will work closely alongside the Executive Editor (who will themselves have responsibility for the editorial content of PLoS ONE). He/she will have full awareness and knowledge of the editorial and administrative activities that they oversee. He/she will have line management responsibility for the US based administrative team working on the journal (currently 5 direct reports, though this number is expected to rise over time).

This full-time position is based in San Francisco. The Editorial Manager will report to and work closely with the Publisher (PLoS ONE and the Community Journals).

Journal Management

  • Overall responsibility for journal administration and assignment of tasks within the journal team, plus some oversight of freelance and outsource staff
  • Ensuring that the standard editorial processes are robust, are being followed according to established objectives, and are in alignment with PLoS objectives
  • Expert knowledge of the editorial systems and the ability to suggest and implement improvements; to create new processes; to identify problems before they happen and to advocate for changes
  • Assess and monitor resourcing and capacities, providing coverage for project staff when necessary
  • Identification of opportunities for improved efficiencies and customer service
  • With the Executive Editor, some involvement in the relationship with and communications to the Editorial Board
  • Creation, monitoring and analysis of journal statistics – and taking action where needed

Cross-Journal Work

  • Coordination with other Editorial Managers and Publications Managers to ensure harmonization and efficiency of processes, journal systems, website information, etc
  • Planning and coordinating cross-journal coverage as necessary
  • Liaison with Publications Team and taking responsibility for certain assigned tasks (e.g. coordination of pricing increase information across journals, providing editorial input for web projects, etc)
  • Fully represent journal(s) on major cross-journal projects

Staff Management

  • Recruitment, training, mentoring and development of US based Publication Assistant and Publications Manager staff. It is expected that staff management will form a large part of the daily workload
  • Appraisals for assigned staff and recommendations for promotion as appropriate

General

  • Representing PLoS externally (e.g. at conferences, events)
  • Able to provide cover for the Publisher or Executive Editor as appropriate
  • Aware of PLoS’ broader organization objectives and able to explain to internal and external stakeholders all new developments in relation to these objectives
  • Aware of, and must work within, the budgetary constraints of the journal

Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

  • Expected to have 4+ years experience in STM Journals publishing within editorial or in equivalent ‘middle management’ roles
  • Experience and aptitude for the management and supervision of staff
  • Strong collaboration skills and ability to achieve consensus
  • Excellent communication skills, written and oral
  • Proactive approach to the identification of opportunities for improvement
  • A mature and professional approach

Application Procedure

PLoS offers a creative and casual work environment as well as a full range of comprehensive benefits, including medical; dental and vision; life, LTD and STD coverage and a matching 401k program. If interested, Please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@plos.org and use "Editorial Manager - PLoS ONE" as the subject line of your e-mail. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest available starting date. No phone calls or visits, please. Principals only – email from recruiters will be ignored. For more information about PLoS, visit http://www.plos.org/.