17 Scientific Editor Interview Questions and Answers

Science is everywhere. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, science is a part of our everyday lives. Scientists conduct research to better understand our world and to develop new technologies, products, and treatments. Scientific editors are responsible for making the findings of scientists accessible to the general public.

If you want to become a scientific editor, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your writing experience and knowledge of the scientific process. In this guide, you’ll find a list of common scientific editor interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the style guides used by scientific journals?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you are familiar with the style guides used by scientific journals. Style guides are a set of rules that dictate how writers should format their work, and they can vary depending on the publication. If you have experience working for a journal, your answer will likely reflect your familiarity with its style guide. If you do not have experience working for a journal, you can still answer in the affirmative by mentioning that you are familiar with common style guides used by scientific publications.

Example: “I am very familiar with the style guide used by Scientific Journal. I worked as a freelance writer for them for two years, so I was able to follow their guidelines quite well. I also know about the APA style guide, which is commonly used by many scientific publications.”

What are some of the most important skills you have for being a scientific editor?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important skills, such as critical thinking, communication and attention to detail.

Example: “I believe my ability to think critically is one of my greatest strengths as a scientific editor. I am able to read through research papers and identify any issues or errors in methodology or data collection. Another skill I rely on is my excellent communication skills. As a scientific editor, it’s essential that I communicate with scientists and other editors clearly and effectively so everyone understands what I’m asking or saying. Finally, I find that my attention to detail is an important skill because it helps me ensure that all aspects of a paper are correct before publication.”

How do you ensure that you give each manuscript the attention it deserves?

As a scientific editor, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that each manuscript you work on receives the attention it needs to ensure accuracy and quality. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your process of working with multiple projects at once. In your answer, try to explain how you plan your time effectively so that you can meet deadlines while still providing high-quality work.

Example: “I have developed several strategies over the years to help me manage my workload. I typically start by creating a schedule for myself that outlines when I will begin editing different manuscripts. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I am able to give each project the attention it deserves. Another strategy I use is setting daily goals for myself. By doing this, I can make sure that I am making steady progress on each project.”

What is your process for managing a team of freelance writers?

As a scientific editor, you may be responsible for managing a team of freelance writers. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would manage their team of freelancers. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that the freelancers are completing their work on time. Explain that you would hold regular meetings with them to discuss deadlines and expectations.

Example: “I have worked with several freelance writers in my previous role as a scientific editor. I find it helpful to meet with each writer at least once per week to check in on their progress. This helps me stay updated on their projects and ensures they’re making steady progress. If any writer is falling behind or needs help, I am always willing to lend a hand.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to reject a manuscript and explain why you made that decision.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle rejection and the steps you take to ensure that your decisions are fair. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you rejected a manuscript but also helped the author improve their work so they could resubmit it for publication.

Example: “I once had to reject a manuscript because I felt like the research was not thorough enough. The author had submitted a paper on a new type of medication, but I noticed that there were no studies supporting its effectiveness. I explained to the author why I rejected the paper and offered to help them find additional resources or journals where they could publish their work.”

If a manuscript contained a major error, what would be your primary method for identifying and fixing it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to ensure accuracy. Your answer should include a specific example of an error you found in a manuscript and how you fixed it.

Example: “In my last position, I was editing a paper on the effects of climate change when I noticed that one of the graphs used data from two different sources. This is a major mistake because it makes the results unreliable. I contacted the author about this issue and they were able to provide me with updated information for the graph. After making these changes, the paper was published without any further issues.”

What would you do if you noticed that two different manuscripts had identical findings?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a conflict of interest. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that the findings were not plagiarized and that both manuscripts had accurate information.

Example: “If I noticed two different papers with identical findings, I would first check if they used the same data set or references. If so, I would contact the authors of each paper to see if they knew about the other study. If they did not know about one another’s work, I would ask them to collaborate on their research and publish it as one larger piece. If they already knew about each other’s work, I would ask them to remove any duplicate content from their manuscript.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can handle pressure and still perform well. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight how you use stress as motivation to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.

Example: “I find that I work best under pressure because it motivates me to get things done quickly. In my previous role, there were many times when the editor-in-chief would ask for a draft of an article by the end of the day. This meant I had to write the entire article in one sitting without any breaks. While this was challenging at first, I eventually got used to it and learned to manage my time better so I could meet these deadlines.”

Do you have experience working with authors from other countries?

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. As a scientific editor, you may be working with authors who are native speakers of other languages. Your answer should show that you have the skills necessary to communicate effectively with these individuals.

Example: “I do have experience working with foreign-language writers. In my previous role as a scientific editor, I worked with several international scientists. I found that it was helpful to use translation software when communicating with them. This allowed me to get an idea of what they were saying before asking for clarification or editing their work.”

When reviewing a manuscript, do you have a process for checking each section for accuracy?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your editing process and how you ensure the accuracy of a manuscript. Use your answer to explain what steps you take when reviewing a manuscript for errors, including any tools or resources you use during the review process.

Example: “I always start by reading through the entire manuscript once to get an overview of the content. Then I go back and check each section for spelling and grammar mistakes. If there are any issues with the structure of the paper, such as missing references or citations, I make note of them so that I can include those in my final edits. Finally, I read through the paper one last time before submitting it to the publisher.”

We want to increase the number of subscribers to our journal. What ideas do you have for promoting our publications?

As a scientific editor, you may be responsible for promoting your publication to increase subscriptions. Employers ask this question to see if you have any experience with marketing and promotion strategies. In your answer, share two or three ideas that you think would help the journal gain more subscribers. Explain why these strategies are effective.

Example: “I’ve found that social media is an excellent way to promote our publications. I would create accounts on all of the major social media platforms so we can post interesting facts about our journals. For example, we could post a fact about one of our articles every day. This strategy would allow us to reach new audiences while also engaging current readers.”

Describe your experience with using word processing software and other digital tools for editing manuscripts.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using digital tools for editing. Use your answer to describe the word processing software you’re familiar with and how often you use it, as well as any other digital tools you’ve used in a previous role.

Example: “I have extensive experience using Microsoft Word for my editing work. I also regularly use Google Docs for collaborating with other editors on projects. In my last position, I worked alongside two other scientific editors who helped me learn how to use Dropbox for sharing documents with clients.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Think about what makes you unique compared to other candidates.

Example: “I am passionate about science and I have been working as a scientific editor for five years now. During my time as a scientist, I’ve learned how to communicate complex information in a way that is easy to understand. This skill has helped me work with many different types of scientists who are at various levels of expertise. I also have experience editing research papers on topics like biology, chemistry and physics.”

Which scientific editing software are you most comfortable using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with editing software. If you have previous experience as a scientific editor, share which software you used and how comfortable you were using it. If this is your first time working as an editor, discuss which software you are familiar with and what you think about it.

Example: “I am most comfortable using EndNote because I’ve been using it for years to organize my research. It’s easy to use and has many features that make organizing information simple. However, I also know how to use Reference Manager, Mendeley and Zotero.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a scientific editor’s job?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a scientific editor. It also allows you to explain how you would approach your work as an editor and why you think this role is so important in the publishing industry.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of being a scientific editor is ensuring that all information presented in a publication is accurate, clear and easy to read. As a writer myself, I know how frustrating it can be when there are errors or unclear language in a piece. In my last position, I was responsible for proofreading every article before it went into print. This allowed me to ensure that each piece was free from grammatical and spelling errors while also making sure that the content made sense to readers.”

How often do you think scientific editors should check for errors in a manuscript?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the level of attention to detail you have. Your answer should show that you are committed to quality work and will check for errors often enough to ensure a high-quality product.

Example: “I think it’s important to check for errors in a manuscript as soon as I receive it, before I begin editing. This way, if there is an error or something unclear, I can address it right away rather than waiting until later when I’m working on the project. Checking for errors at least once more during the editing process is also helpful so I can make sure everything is correct.”

There is a lot of controversy over a particular finding in a manuscript. How would you handle this situation?

Scientific editing requires a high level of integrity. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle controversial topics and maintain your objectivity. In your answer, explain that you would remain unbiased in your editing process. Explain that you would ensure the manuscript is free of any errors before publishing it.

Example: “I understand how important it is to be objective as a scientific editor. If I were presented with a manuscript containing controversial findings, I would first check for any grammatical or spelling errors. Then, I would send the manuscript back to the author for revision. Once they revised their work, I would edit the manuscript again to ensure there are no mistakes. Finally, I would publish the manuscript online.”