Associate or Senior News & Views Editor (m/w/d)

Job Title:  Associate / or Senior News & Views Editor (Physics) (m/w/d)

Full Time, Permanent

Location(s):    London, Berlin  

Closing date: 5th December 2024       

About the Brand

Nature is the world’s most authoritative science journal. Aside from peer-reviewed research, we publish more than 2400 magazine articles every year including news, features, editorials, opinion pieces, career stories, News & Views and book reviews. Our thought-leading content covers all areas of science, science policy and the scientific community – winning awards, shaping the research agenda, driving debate and influencing policy.

About the Role

News & Views is a highly popular section of Nature that publishes timely, readable and authoritative articles about the latest developments in science, written by specialists for non-specialists. This post involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team of editors to commission and edit News & Views articles about physics and the Earth sciences, often working to tight deadlines.

Role Responsibilities:

• Commissioning News & Views articles in physics, computer science and the Earth sciences according to the requirements of the section. These requirements include maintaining a balance between the biological and physical sciences; maintaining the representation of authors from across the world; maintaining a supply of articles from sources other than Nature; publication of Forum and In Retrospect pieces.  
• In consultation with the author, editing articles for length, sense, accuracy and accessibility; devising an appropriate graphic or choosing a photo to enhance articles.
• Making and maintaining connections with the relevant manuscript editors at Nature, and with external advisors.
• Other projects involving News & Views as may be decided with the Chief News & Views Editor and other members of staff.
• Senior editors would also be expected to take the lead on high-profile projects for News & Views, such as developing new formats, overseeing special articles that go beyond the remit of conventional pieces, etc, as may be decided with the Chief News & Views Editor and other members of staff.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

Essential

• A higher degree or beyond in the physical sciences, including full-time research experience.
• Appreciation of what constitutes a breakthrough suitable for bringing to the attention of Nature’s readers, and of the time sensitivity involved in reporting the news
• Broad knowledge of the scope of scientific research internationally (including areas not well represented in Nature) and of its practitioners
• Ability to edit text to make it succinct and direct, with great attention to detail
• Evidence of achievement in the use of written English, particularly for science communication.
• Ability to take a friendly, but (if needed) firm approach with authors and colleagues
• Tact, diplomacy, discretion, self-confidence

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in scientific publishing or science communication.