Associate Editor - Physical Review B

The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world.

Position Summary:

Would you like to make a major and long lasting contribution to a leading journal in physics dedicated to condensed matter and materials physics?  As an Associate Editor of Physical Review B, you will independently handle all phases of the peer review process and decide what will be published. For this important work, we seek a dynamic and personable individual with a strong scientific background and a passion to engage with the physical sciences community.  Our editors stay connected to this community and abreast of the latest research by attending meetings and visiting research institutions around the world. In addition, editors may participate in editorial and cross-departmental APS projects.

By working with Physical Review B (PRB), you will gain on-the-job experience in many different aspects of publishing from one of the longest-established journals dedicated to serving the condensed matter research community both nationally and internationally, with authors and referees from over 130 countries. Physical Review B (PRB) is the world’s largest dedicated physics journal, publishing approximately 100 new, high-quality papers each week. The most highly cited journal in condensed matter physics, PRB provides outstanding depth and breadth of coverage, combined with unrivaled context and background for ongoing research by scientists worldwide.

APS values diversity and welcomes researchers from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package including salary, outstanding benefits, and excellent paid time off.

A Typical Week May Look Like This:

• Manage all aspects of peer review for a suite of manuscripts, primarily for PRB and also for other journals, as appropriate.
• Determine if review is warranted.
• Select referees for article submissions.
• Evaluate referee responses.
• Decide to publish articles, in collaboration with other PRB editors.
• Build ties with the community, especially via the PRB Editorial Board and at conferences.
• Work closely with other PRB editors and the editors of other journals to manage the review process and develop and improve editorial policies and practices.
• Help attract high quality submissions to relevant Physical Review journals.
• Help select and briefly summarize papers to highlight.
• Keep abreast of current and emerging physics research.

Is This You:

Education:  PhD and postdoctoral experience in physics or a related field. The ideal candidate has expertise in first-principles approaches to problems in condensed matter or materials physics, but other areas of expertise within the scope of the journal will also be considered.  

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Excellent knowledge of the scientific research literature and existing research groups in areas of interest to Physical Review B.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• 2-3 years postdoctoral experience in a related field.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Travel:  Position requires some travel to attend conferences, participate in events, and visit research institutions and universities (once safe travel conditions resume).  

Mission of APS:  To advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics for the benefit of humanity, promote physics, and serve the broader physics community, we:

• Provide a welcoming and supportive professional home for an active, engaged, and diverse membership
• Advance scientific discovery and research dissemination
• Advocate for physics and physicists, and amplify the voice for science
• Share the excitement of physics and communicate the essential role physics plays in the modern world
• Promote effective physics education for all

Core Values at APS:

• The Scientific Method
• Truth and Integrity
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
• Partnering, Cooperation, and Open Collaboration
• Speaking Out
• Education and Learning

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources.

The American Physical Society requires all employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated and show proof of completed vaccination status at time of hire. If selected for employment, you will provide proof of your full vaccination status via our secured vaccination information portal, defined as vaccinated two weeks after receiving the requisite number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA.

The APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations.

Interested candidates should apply by November 19, 2021.  We welcome you to apply today!