Within Elsevier’s Science, Technology and Medical Journal (STMJ) publishing division, we are seeking an Expert in Publishing Ethics to strengthen our team and provide support and advice to Editors and Publishers in handling ethical allegations.

STM Journals publishes more than 2,600 peer-reviewed journals. Elsevier is committed to nurturing and upholding research integrity within our journals and within the wider research community.  The role of the Expert in Publishing Ethics is to support this commitment by advising on best practice in handling ethical allegations in all fields of research, conducting investigations when allegations of unethical misconduct is raised, providing input to initiatives which aim to prevent or detect ethical issues, and training internal and external stakeholders on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and Elsevier best practices and policies. The role involves support to editors, while always respecting and upholding the independence of editors’ decision making.

We are seeking a collaborative and analytical colleague, who is meticulous in their fact-checking and problem-solving, has a strong sense of natural justice and has excellent communication skills. Applicants will ideally have a qualification in a STM discipline and at least three years of relevant experience, either in publishing or related organisations (e.g. publisher or editor role), or research integrity within academic institutes. 

Key Results Areas:

1. Supporting ethics investigations

Assessment of activities by authors, reviewers, editors, guest editors and othersSupporting editors in assessing allegations including plagiarism, duplication, authorship disputes, peer review manipulation, and figure manipulation/duplicationProviding editors with comments on potential corrections, editor notes, expressions of concern and retraction noticesLiaison with legal and communications experts, as appropriateManaging cases involving multiple journals and networks of stakeholdersCommunicating precisely and diplomatically with all stakeholders.

2. Policies and training

Raising awareness and knowledge levels of ethical policies and procedures.Providing education to internal colleagues and to the scientific community, including presenting at editorial board meetings and author webinars.Suggesting additions or updates to ethical policies in response to new issues arising.Occasional travel to present at physical workshops/relevant conferences, when such travel is safe.

3.  Project management

Acting as a subject matter expert to provide input for ethics-related projects and product development.

 4. Product expert

Acting as a product expert for tools that support the detection of publishing ethics issues.Supporting the creation of training and ‘tips and tricks’ materials for editors and other users.Providing feedback to product managers regarding potential new features or improvements to existing features.Creating user accounts and provide training to users on best practice in using detection tools.

Skills and Experience:

A minimum of three years' relevant experience, direct publishing and editorial experience or Research Integrity experience is desirableDegree in an academic disciplineKnowledge of peer-review and the publishing process, and ethical guidelines (e.g. COPE best practices)Fluent English in both written and speakingExcellent communications skillsExperience supporting editors or other senior academicsAbility to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, academic societies, and professional organizationsStrong sense of mature judgementStrong analytical, organizational and prioritization skillsAbility to work methodically, problem-solving and fact-checkingExperience in working in a complex, matrix international environment

An assessment or case study could be part of our selection procedure.

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