Science Editor
Impact: Scientific Advancement
Edits scientific manuscripts and publications to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to editorial standards. This role involves assessing research papers, coordinating peer reviews, and making editorial decisions to facilitate the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
In their words
As a Science Editor, I find immense satisfaction in ensuring that groundbreaking research is presented with clarity and accuracy. It's a meticulous process of refining language, verifying data, and collaborating with authors to bring their work to its fullest potential. The intellectual engagement with diverse scientific topics is incredibly rewarding.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 50% Team / 50% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Minimal travel for conferences or meetings.
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $90,000
- Entry-level
- $70,000 - $85,000
- Senior
- $120,000 - $160,000
- Growth by 2033
- 8 percent (faster than average)
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- High
- Salary growth potential
- Strong growth potential with experience and specialization in a scientific field.
- Typical student debt
- $40,000 - $100,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Manuscript Editing
- Scientific Writing
- Peer Review Management
- Editorial Guidelines Adherence
- Research Evaluation
- Publication Ethics
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Time Management
- Problem Solving
- Collaboration
Technical complexity: Very High
Tools you'll work with
Core tools
- Microsoft Word (software): Document editing and tracking changes
- Journal Management Systems (platform): Managing submissions and peer review workflows
Common tools
- Grammarly (software): Grammar and style checking
- Slack (software): Team communication and collaboration
Niche tools
- EndNote (software): Reference management
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Master's Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 7
- Years to senior
- 15
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Research Scientist: Transitioning from conducting research to editing scientific publications.
- Medical Writer: Leveraging writing skills to focus on the editorial aspects of scientific content.
Where you can go from here
- Managing Editor: Advancing to oversee editorial operations and teams.
- Science Communicator: Utilizing editorial expertise to broader science communication roles.
- Publishing Consultant: Providing expert advice on scientific publishing processes and standards.
Typical progression
- Science Editors can advance to Senior Editor, Managing Editor, or Editor-in-Chief roles, or transition into science communication or publishing management.
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 10 percent - very low risk
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.8/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Find your community
Professional organisations
- Council of Science Editors (CSE): A professional organization for editorial professionals in scientific publishing.
- Editors Canada: A national association for editors, offering professional development and networking.
Podcasts and media
- Nature Careers: A leading resource for science jobs and career advice.
Online communities
- Science Editing Forum: A LinkedIn group for professionals involved in science editing.