Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Photonics Job at Springer Nature Ltd in New Y

Overview

Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Photonics

Location: Beijing, Shanghai, New York or New Jersey - hybrid model

Closing date: 20th October, 2025

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature.

About The Brand

Nature Portfolio is a world leader in publishing high-quality research. The Nature Portfolio journals include Nature, the Nature Research journals, the Nature Reviews journals, Nature Communications as well as the Communications journals and npj series.

About The Role

Do you love science but feel that a career at the bench isn’t enough to sate your desire to learn more about scientific research? Do you enjoy reading papers outside your chosen area of research? If the answer is yes to any or all these questions, you could be the person we’re looking for to join the Nature Portfolio editorial team.

To help us build on the success of the portfolio, we’re seeking an editor with experience in photonics who has a critical eye, a deep understanding of their subject and interests beyond, and who can think on their feet. This is a permanent position within the Nature Portfolio. The successful candidate will primarily support Nature Photonics and may collaborate closely with other Nature Portfolio journals as needed. Please note that responsibilities and journal assignments may evolve over time in response to portfolio needs.

Nature Photonics (https://www.nature.com/nphoton/) publishes original research on all aspects of the science and technology of light and its applications. These research papers are complemented by Editorials, Reviews, News & Views and Comment pieces on topics that are of interest to the optics community both in academia and industry.

We’re looking for someone with a passion for science and the communication of science to join the Nature Photonics editor ial team as an Associate or Senior Editor.

Responsibilities

• Handling original research papers and working closely with editor teams on all aspects of the editorial process, including manuscript selection and overseeing peer review.
• Making well-reasoned editorial decisions on submitted manuscripts in light of expert advice.
• Contributing to content and strategy in this area at Nature Photonics and other Nature Portfolio journals as needed.
• Commissioning, editing content such as Reviews, or writing editorials.
• Liaising extensively with editors at other journals in the Nature Portfolio and with experts in the international scientific community.
• Attending conferences and visiting research institutions.

Qualifications

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a field related to photonics.
• Additional research experience valuable but not required.
• A thorough understanding of recent trends and developments in the field is essential.
• A passion for science and a thirst to learn more; demonstrate breadth of interest in scientific research within and beyond your speciality.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including fluent English (written and spoken).
• The ability to read and assess the novelty, 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 about what we look for in the papers we publish.
• Editorial experience is not required, though applicants with editorial experience are encouraged to apply and may be considered for Senior Editor positions.
• The successful candidates will report to the Chief Editor of the journal.

Location and Employment Details

This demanding and intellectually stimulating role is in either of our New York/New Jersey/Shanghai or Beijing offices. The position is offered on a permanent basis and its starting date is envisaged as soon as possible.

How to Apply

Applicants should include a CV, a covering letter explaining their interest in the position and preferred office of employment. Please also provide a 300-word highlight in the style of Nature Photonics covering a peer-reviewed research paper that has caught your attention recently. The highlighted paper should not be from your own (or previous) research group and should not have been published in Science or any Nature journal; it should be on a topic that you find interesting and exciting. The highlight should explain the significance and implications of the research to a non-specialist. See the examples at rdcu.be/el9ov and rdcu.be/el9rd.

Candidates will be considered as they apply.

Salary and Benefits (US)

US employees are eligible for benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, life and AD&D insurance, tuition assistance, employee assistance program, paid vacation and sick time, flexible spending accounts, and a 401k retirement savings plan. The US salary range is provided for compliance with pay transparency laws and may vary by location. Salary ranges differ by country due to local market considerations.

US Annualized Base Salary Range: Associate Editor: 80,000; Senior Editor: 95,000.

Springer Nature values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating an inclusive culture where people can thrive. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodations.

For more information about career opportunities, please visit the Springer Nature careers page.