Associate Editor, High-Energy Physics

Associate Editor, High-energy physics

Who we are:

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:

Would you like to make a major and long lasting contribution to a leading journal in elementary particle physics, field theory, gravitation, astrophysics, and cosmology? As an Associate Editor of Physical Review D, you will independently handle all phases of the peer review process and help 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 research community served by PRD.  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 D (PRD), you will gain on-the-job experience in many different aspects of publishing from one of the longest-established journals dedicated to serving the high-energy physics community both nationally and internationally, with authors and referees from over 130 countries.

APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access within the United States, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates 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.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate manuscripts in alignment with the editorial standards of the designated journal or journals, deciding whether to editorially reject or proceed with peer review.
• Manage the peer review process including selecting referees, communicating with authors and referees, and resolving conflicting recommendations
• Support the manuscript post-acceptance process, as needed, including the acquisition of editorial summaries and images, and the resolution of production issues.
• Perform editorial checks to ensure the overall quality and timeliness of published papers.
• Maintain high ethical standards and fairness at all editorial stages, ensuring that decisions align with editorial policy and practice.
• Gain mastery of the peer-review management system.
• Represent the journals and APS at scientific conferences.
• Actively engage and develop strong relationships and trust with a broad network of researchers.
• Contribute to journal-level projects and strategy, such as aspects of social media and data analytics.
• Actively contribute to ensuring that the journals uphold our values of diversity, equity and inclusivity.

Education: 

PhD and postdoctoral experience in physics. The ideal candidate has expertise in particle physics. While we will consider candidates with expertise in all areas covered in PRD, we are particularly interested in researchers with expertise in hadronic physics (perturbative or non-perturbative QCD, spectroscopy, exotic states), phenomenology, and BSM physics. No editorial experience is required but experience as a referee would be helpful. Postdoctoral experience is required.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• A minimum of one year of postdoctoral experience is required.
• Publication record in major journals within the scope of PRD.
• Referee experience in the topical areas of PRD would be helpful.
• Candidates with considerable editorial experience in handling manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrated impact on that role, may qualify for a senior position.
• Excellent knowledge of the scientific literature within the scope of PRD, familiarity with existing research groups in the area of coverage, and acute awareness of current developments.
• Strong sense of integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to make independent decisions and evaluations.
• Strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the job.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and fluctuations in the volume of work.
• Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and efficiency.
• Ability to work well with interdepartmental teams as well as independently.

Travel:  

This role involves occasional travel, approximately up to 10%, for meetings with APS staff, departmental gatherings, and interactions with colleagues in the Long Island, NY, Washington, DC and College Park, MD areas. Additionally, the position may involve world-wide travel to attend conferences and events, and to interact with researchers at their institutions and universities.

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: $81,060/year - $110,384/year (USD)

Target Starting Range: $81,060/year - $90,130/year (USD)