Chief Editor, Physical Review X

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

Position Summary:

PRX is the world’s leading open-access journal in multidisciplinary physics, known for its thought-provoking articles,  interdisciplinary focus, and personalized approach to peer review. As the Chief Editor of PRX, you will build on this reputation and shape the journal’s scope and direction for the future, providing strategic and operational leadership for the journal and its talented team of editors. 

The ideal candidate will have expertise in physics or a physics-adjacent area and a thirst for learning about all topics relevant to the journal. They will have a track record for leading teams and projects and bring a forward-looking, strategic mindset to shaping the journal for the future. They will be a nimble communicator and a team player, working collaboratively to support the success of every journal in the Physical Review portfolio. They must be committed to rigorous peer review and research integrity, and an advocate for Open Science. 

Apply today to shape the journal’s future.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Performance:

• Provide vision and direction for the journal, collaborating with APS Publications Leadership and Management to ensure the journal remains relevant and sustainable. 
• Uphold editorial criteria and design and execute strategies to attract high-quality submissions to the journal and, where appropriate, to the entire portfolio.
• Carry out horizon scanning for potential threats and opportunities.
• Work in partnership with, and consult, the Lead Editor across strategic areas where relevant. (The Lead Editor is a prominent member of the scientific community who serves as the lead scientific advisor to the journal on its scope, direction, and strategy and who chairs the journal’s Editorial Board.) 
• Serve as an ambassador for the journal and the Physical Review portfolio, building the editorial team’s connections with prominent researchers at conferences or through lab visits, either in person or virtually.
• Responsible for the performance of the journal; regularly monitoring its performance, mitigating risks and issues; and planning future developments to grow and improve.
• Work with the editorial team to lead on new development initiatives (internally and externally) that drive growth and sustainability of the journal.
• Actively contribute to ensuring the journals are diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
• As a member of the Editorial Management Team, advise the Executive Editor and Chief Publications Officer, foster internal communication, and support initiatives as needed.

Operations:

• Oversee the day to day running of the journal and the operational processes and procedures underpinning activity, ensuring they remain effective and efficient and produce high quality content.
• Manage the hiring, onboarding, and training of new editorial staff and academic editors, with support and input from the Lead Editor.
• Lead and manage the editorial team, establishing and communicating transparent expectations for performance and supporting the career development of staff members.
• Support the Lead Editor in the selection, recruitment and onboarding of editorial board members.
• Work with the Lead Editor and provide them with guidance on the effective running of the board.
• Ensure consistent acceptance criteria, high ethical standards, alignment with Physical Review editorial policy and practice, and competitive processing times.
• Handle original manuscripts on a relevant research area for the journal, at a level consistent with the managerial demands of the role.
• Act as primary journal contact for upper editorial management (Executive Editor and Chief Publications Officer) and other departments.
• Work with the editorial team and other APS departments to identify sponsorship opportunities, promote journal content and initiatives through a variety of outlets, including social media.
• Manage the review and appeals process for submissions.
• Assume responsibility for allocating the journal’s annual travel budget.
• Maintain and promote a productive and positive work environment focused on professional excellence and in alignment with APS Core values.

Scope & Relationships:

• The Chief Editor reports to the Executive Editor or the Associate Executive Editor.
• 4 Direct Reports.
• Collaboration with Publications Leadership and Management.
• May manage consultant editors (0-20).

Qualifications:

Education:
 

• A PhD in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, materials research, chemistry or a related scientific field is required, as is at least one year of postdoctoral experience.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of scientific editorial experience, preferably in a research area relevant to the journal.
• Impeccable track record applying scientific expertise and broad understanding of research toward the evaluation of manuscripts in a critical, thoughtful, and independent manner.
• Proven track record of successfully leading projects, supervising teams and mentoring staff.
• Excellent team management and interpersonal skills; adept at making the right connections and building networks both internally and externally.
• Commitment to quality peer review.
• Facility using data and metrics effectively to assess performance.
• Proven track record of identifying opportunities for improvement and planning/executing delivery plans to implement those improvements.
• Excellent knowledge of the scientific research landscape in the areas of coverage.
• Enthusiasm for learning about new research areas and trends in scientific publishing.
• Strong sense of integrity and a commitment to a diverse and inclusive research community.
• Ability to make prompt independent evaluations and decisions.
• Able to manage multiple priorities.
• Impeccable writing and communication skills.

Location of Work:

APS follows a “remote first” work model, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. Although this is a “remote first” position, it requires regular and frequent travel to meet with APS publications, editorial, and other staff. Residence in the United States is required. Relocation assistance will not be provided.
 

Travel:
 

This position can require up to 10% travel time for attendance at staff events and at scientific meetings.

 

Salary:
 

The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation decisions, such as skill sets, experience, training, and other business and organizational requirements. The salary listed within the specified ranges considers relevant experience. Our compensation philosophy at APS aims to maintain salaries at the midpoint of the market. As a result, we typically hire within the target starting range. Exceptional, rare cases may merit reviews above target starting range for specialized or niche skills aligned with strategic operational goals.

Hiring Range: $120,000/year - $165,000/year (USD)

Target Starting Range: $120,000/year - $135,000/year (USD)

Amazing 2024 Benefit Offerings:

• Flexible schedules and ability to work remotely
• 8% employer-paid retirement contribution
• Investment advisement services: 100% employer paid
• Medical benefits: PPO or HDHP option
• Employer contribution to FSA or HSA account, eligibility based on medical plan enrollment
• Lifestyle Spending benefit up to $2000.00 (USD) - 100% employer paid
• Dental benefits:  individual coverage 100% employer paid
• Vision benefits: individual and dependent coverage 100% employer paid
• Basic Life & Accident insurance: employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Supplemental Life & Accident insurance, including spouse & dependent child(ren) coverage
• Disability insurance:  employee coverage 100% employer paid
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness insurance
• Healthcare, Commuter & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Vacation: 15 days annually
• Generous holiday leave: 17 paid days of significance; includes one week closure at the end of December
• Personal leave: 4 days annually
• Volunteer leave: 1 day annually
• Sick leave: 10 days annually
• Bereavement & Compassion leave: 2 -15 days based on loss
• 12 weeks employer-paid family leave
• College tuition reimbursement plan
• Job related seminar & continuing education
• Professional Certification/Recertification 100% employer paid
• Training and professional development; access to LinkedIn Learning on-demand courses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mindfulness Meditation: live and on-demand classes
• APS does not offer relocation assistance/costs

   

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, immigration status, 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 a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at hr@aps.org.


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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.

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