Manuscript Editor
Massachusetts Medical Society · Boston, MA
- On site
- Full-time
- $85,000 / year
- Boston, MA
Job highlights
- Edit manuscripts for The New England Journal of Medicine.
- Negotiate revisions and collaborate with authors.
- Ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to style.
- Work under intense deadline pressure.
- Flexible work model available.
About the role
Manuscript Editor - Massachusetts Medical Society
The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is seeking a skilled Manuscript Editor to join our team. We are dedicated to supporting physicians and advancing medical knowledge through publications like The New England Journal of Medicine.
About the Role
The Manuscript Editor will be responsible for editing material for publication in The New England Journal of Medicine. This includes negotiating revisions with authors, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy in all published content.
Key Responsibilities
- Edit manuscripts for logic, clarity, style, internal consistency, grammar, and usage, rewriting as necessary.
- Determine and format figures and tables, verifying mathematical calculations and working with medical illustrators.
- Edit online content according to style guidelines.
- Discuss revisions with authors, eliciting new material, explaining journal policy, and suggesting alternatives.
- Read and correct proofs for clarity, style, consistency, and grammar.
- Consult with deputy or executive editors for clarification of technical material.
- Undertake technical research as necessary.
- Attend departmental meetings and perform other related duties.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Strong language skills, specialized knowledge of grammar and word usage.
- Familiarity with publishing procedures, medical and scientific concepts, foreign languages, and mathematics.
- Several years of experience as a full-time manuscript editor.
- Familiarity with electronic editing with tracked changes.
- Experience in medical or scientific editing is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated editing ability is highly desirable.
- Experience interacting with authors by telephone and e-mail is highly desirable.
- Ability to work calmly and effectively under intense deadline pressure.
- Must be confident, mature, and tactful.
Compensation and Benefits
The target base pay range for this role is between $80,000 and $90,000 annually, commensurate with skills and experience.
Benefits include: 2 weeks of paid vacation, 6 personal days, 12 sick days, 13 paid holidays, medical and dental plans, 401(k) with company match, backup childcare assistance, and tuition assistance.
Work Environment
The MMS has adopted a flexible work model, allowing most employees to choose where they work – at home, in our Boston office, or a combination. This role is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
About Massachusetts Medical Society
The MMS is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are a leadership voice in healthcare, influencing health-related legislation and supporting public health initiatives. Through the NEJM Group, we advance medical knowledge globally.
Key skills/competency
- Manuscript Editing
- Medical Editing
- Scientific Editing
- Grammar
- Style Guide
- Author Relations
- Proofreading
- Content Editing
- Editorial Tasks
- Publication Process
Skills & topics
- Manuscript Editor
- Medical Editor
- Scientific Editor
- Grammar
- Style Guide
- Author Relations
- Proofreading
- Content Editing
- Editorial Tasks
- Publication Process
- Boston
- Massachusetts
- Full-Time
- Editing
- Publishing
- Medical
- Science
- NEJM
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience in manuscript editing, grammar, and medical/scientific concepts. Quantify achievements where possible.
- Showcase your skills: Emphasize your ability to work under deadline pressure and your experience with electronic editing tools.
- Demonstrate communication: Prepare examples of how you've effectively discussed revisions with authors and explained editorial policies.
- Research MMS: Understand the mission of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the NEJM Group's role in advancing medical knowledge.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your editing process, grammar rules, and handling of complex scientific material.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Manuscript Editor role at Massachusetts Medical Society?
- The target base pay range for the Manuscript Editor position at the Massachusetts Medical Society is between $80,000 and $90,000 annually. The final salary will depend on your specific skills, qualifications, and overall experience.
- Does Massachusetts Medical Society offer remote work for the Manuscript Editor position?
- The Massachusetts Medical Society has adopted a flexible work model. Most employees can choose to work from home, onsite in their Boston or Waltham office, or a hybrid of both, based on preferences and business needs for the Manuscript Editor role.
- What qualifications are most important for a Manuscript Editor at MMS?
- A Bachelor's degree is required, along with strong language and grammar skills, familiarity with publishing procedures, and medical/scientific concepts. Several years of full-time manuscript editing experience, especially in medical/scientific fields and with electronic editing, is highly desirable.
- What are the typical work hours for a Manuscript Editor at the Massachusetts Medical Society?
- While the job description mentions working under intense deadline pressure due to a weekly publication schedule, specific daily hours are not detailed. However, the full-time nature of the role and the benefits suggest a standard professional work environment.
- How does Massachusetts Medical Society support employee development for Manuscript Editors?
- The Massachusetts Medical Society offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition assistance, which can support professional development for Manuscript Editors and other employees.
- What is the significance of NEJM Group for this Manuscript Editor role?
- The NEJM Group, under the auspices of the MMS, is responsible for advancing medical knowledge globally through publications like The New England Journal of Medicine. As a Manuscript Editor, you would play a direct role in this mission by editing content for the journal.