Peer Review Associate

Job Title: Peer Review Associate Peer Review

Department: Global Services Division, SAGE India

Reports To: Peer Review Supervisor, Global Services Division, SAGE India

Job Purpose:

The Peer Review Associate will play a critical role in managing the peer review process for manuscripts submitted to SAGE journals. Key responsibilities include overseeing the submission process, ensuring the quality of manuscript content, assisting with reviewer management, and preparing accepted manuscripts for production. This role demands strong attention to detail, effective communication, and a commitment to maintaining a smooth, timely peer review workflow.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Manuscript Submission Management:

• Ensure all submitted manuscripts meet the submission criteria through SAGE Track and are ready for the peer review process.
• Assist with manuscript tracking and follow-up actions, ensuring authors, reviewers, and editors meet deadlines set in SAGE Track.

2. Reviewer Coordination:

• Invite, assign, and support reviewers in completing their evaluations through SAGE Track.
• Follow up with reviewers and editors to ensure timely completion of reviews, addressing any delays.

3. Author and Editor Support:

• Guide authors of accepted manuscripts to submit the required electronic contributor forms through SAGE Track.
• Ensure that accepted manuscripts meet the necessary editorial and formatting standards before they are forwarded to the SAGE Production team, including verifying author contact details, file formats, copyright permissions, and reference style compliance (APA, Chicago, etc.).

4. Manuscript Export & Follow-ups:

• Export finalized manuscripts to the SAGE Production Editor by the defined deadlines.
• Respond promptly to queries from journal editors, associate editors, authors, reviewers, and SAGE staff.

5. Process Documentation & Updates:

• Maintain and periodically update SAGE Track email templates tailored to the needs of individual journals.
• Track daily tasks and document progress using the Daily Tracker.

6. Performance & Reporting:

• Provide weekly reports on peer review associate performance to the Peer Review Supervisor and US Manager.
• Assist with periodic report generation from SAGE Track.
• Populate overdue task reports with relevant comments before team meetings.

7. Troubleshooting & System Maintenance:

• Identify and troubleshoot any issues related to the functioning of SAGE Track.
• Collaborate with the US and UK teams to implement updates and maintain up-to-date site functionality.

8. Journal Editorial Support:

• Support the journal’s overall peer review health, especially for journals with editorial assistant support.
• Provide guidance and manage follow-up actions for editorial assistants.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for queries from editorial assistants and journal editors.

Key Accountabilities:

Productivity Standards:

• Meet submission and review deadlines as outlined in the yearly WAP, with progressive responsibility following training.
• Respond to email inquiries from authors, reviewers, and journal editors within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
• Address and resolve any issues with SAGE Track in coordination with the ScholarOne support team, when necessary.

Editorial Liaison:

• Act as a professional liaison between SAGE and journal editors, ensuring clear communication regarding peer review progress.
• Monitor and report on manuscript status throughout the peer review process.
• Forward tense or volatile communication from authors/editors to your supervisor while sharing positive feedback as well.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple submissions and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to resolve issues and maintain workflow.
• Proficiency in using editorial systems (SAGE Track, ScholarOne, etc.) and willingness to troubleshoot and adapt to new technologies.
• Problem-solving abilities to address challenges that may arise during the review process.
• A positive attitude and willingness to contribute to team projects and department goals.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree (any field).
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in the publishing industry or in a similar administrative/coordination role.

Additional Information:

This job description is intended to outline the primary responsibilities and tasks for the Peer Review Associate role. It is not a comprehensive list, and additional duties may be assigned based on departmental needs. The role may require adjustments based on changes in business operations, procedures, or technical requirements.

SAGE is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.