Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Communications (Machine Learning)

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About The Role

The Associate/Senior Editor role at Nature Communications will handle manuscripts in machine learning, computer vision, neural networks, natural language processing, agentic AI, algorithms, and statistical physics etc. It is ideal for researchers who love science and engineering but feel that a career at the bench isn’t enough to sate your desire to learn more about the natural world and for those who enjoy reading papers outside their chosen area of research.

This role can be in our Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Pune or New Delhi offices on a hybrid working model. Please note that this position is offered on a full-time permanent basis.

Responsibilities include:

• Handle original research manuscripts, applying critical scientific evaluation to assess quality, novelty, and suitability for publication while managing manuscript selection and peer review processes.
• Drive editorial excellence by delivering high-quality editorial services in accordance with journal standards, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to publication timelines.
• Manage and optimize publishing workflows and systems to support efficient manuscript processing, peer review, decision-making, and publication activities.
• Collaborate closely with authors and reviewers to ensure a rigorous and transparent review process while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
• Serve as a key representative of the journal within the scientific community, engaging with researchers and industry experts to understand emerging trends, priorities, and publishing needs.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of editorial policies, peer review practices, and publishing processes to uphold scientific integrity and enhance the journal's impact and reputation.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with authors and reviewers, guiding stakeholders through the peer review process, delivering decisions with clarity, and leveraging strong collaboration and interpersonal awareness to foster productive relationships.
• Build trusted partnerships with internal and external stakeholders while managing competing priorities and expectations, applying conflict management and relationship-building skills to drive alignment, resolve challenges, and ensure smooth editorial operations.
• Partner with the Chief Editor to execute the journal’s development strategy, leveraging market intelligence and a strategic mindset to identify growth opportunities, strengthen journal positioning, and support long-term objectives.
• Drive content development by proactively attracting high-quality submissions, commissioning reviews and special collections, and collaborating with the scientific community to advance impactful publishing initiatives and enhance journal influence.
• Represent Nature Communications and Springer Nature within the global research community by attending conferences, engaging with research institutions, and leveraging strong communication skills to promote journal visibility, foster relationships, and attract high-quality submissions.
• Develop compelling scientific and academic content to showcase published research, while contributing to a collaborative editorial culture by sharing expertise, supporting colleagues, and driving knowledge exchange across the Nature Portfolio editorial team.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in physics or mathematics or computer science. This could include, but is not limited to machine learning, computer vision, neural networks, natural language processing, agentic AI, algorithms, and statistical physics etc.
• Experience with machine learning and computer science is preferred but not essential.
• Postdoctoral research experience is preferred but not essential. A thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the subject is essential.
• A passion for science and engineering and a thirst to learn more. You must be able to demonstrate the breadth of your interest in scientific research, both within and beyond your specialty and across the wider fields of electrical and electronic engineering and energy infrastructure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be fluent in English (written and spoken). The ability to read and assess the context and implications of research submitted to the journal from different areas of this discipline.
• Eagerness to travel and meet scientists worldwide, learn more about them and their research, and help them learn more about us and what we are looking for in the papers we seek to publish.
• Editorial experience is not required, although applicants with significant editorial experience are encouraged to apply and will potentially be considered for Senior Editor positions.

To apply, you should include:

• CV
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the post and your preferred office of employment
• Separate concise (300-400 words) discussion of recent scientific developments in any area related to machine learning that they found particularly exciting, stating why.

At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress – and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion

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