Description

The Senior Specialist, Ethics is responsible for assisting with allegations of potential research and/or publication misconduct are resolved in a timely manner in accord with ASM ethics policies. This includes consistent evaluation of manuscripts at the revision level, handling allegations of ethical misconduct, and providing guidance to researchers to prevent misconduct. The Senior Specialist, Ethics will also integrate the ethical guidelines into various educational platforms used within multiple programs of ASM. This includes updating and integrating new content into the organization-wide and journals department ethics portals.

Essential Functions

• Consistently evaluates manuscripts at the revision level for both potential plagiarism concerns and figure concerns brought to the specialist’s attention by ASM staff or the public and follows up as appropriate.
• Analyzes potential ethical concerns reported by ASM staff or the public and communicates with authors to assist in the understanding of the guidelines as well as ways to resolve the concern. Consult with editors and/or editors-in-chief as needed.
• Organizes and updates open ethical concerns and inquiries to eliminate ethical misconduct in ASM publications.
• Act as a representative of ASM to facilitate outreach with the broader scientific community highlighting ASM’s high standards and leadership status to promote and improve the quality of research publications submitted to and published by the journals.
• Organizes and updates ethics portal to assist in educating the research community and keeping them informed of ways to prevent ethical misconduct. Writes quarterly articles to integrate new content onto the ethics portal.
• Report progress of ethical concerns to other ASM staff to keep everyone up-to-date on their status.
• This position description should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned.

Technical Competencies

• Thorough understanding of scientific research and biomedical laboratory techniques.
• Understanding the difference between 'research misconduct or fraud' and 'inadvertent errors'.
• Ability to work with required technology, software, or web-based platforms
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong communication skills, in both a technical and everyday setting

Experience Required

• Familiarity with ethical guidelines and regulations (Successful completion Responsible Conduct of Research courses)
• Experience in STEM journal peer review and scientific publishing
• Knowledge of standard biomedical laboratory techniques
• 1-3 years: Professional experience