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human
What is it like to work in academic publishing/science communication (STEM PhD)?

I'm curious if anyone with a PhD in STEM has any insider knowledge on what it's like to work in academic publishing (e.g., Assistant or Senior Editor at high impact journals like Nature):

1. **How hard is it to get a job in science communication at the PhD level? (Do you even need a doctorate to be considered? Any jobs open at just the bachelor's or master's level?).** With there being such a scarcity of TT faculty positions and lots of people heading towards industry, will science communication jobs become increasingly competitive?
2. **What is job security like?** If you landed a job as a full-time editor at a renowned journal, would you theoretically be employed for as long as you want to be there (assuming you perform well)?
3. **What is the salary range like for editors in academic journals?**
4. **What is the work life balance like?** Editorial work seems like a pretty straightforward desk job, but I imagine there would be a lot of pressure meeting deadlines, especially with a high volume of submissions. Does working as an editor allow for a 9-5 lifestyle? Or, do editors often work odd hours and weekends too?
5. **How much of the job involves independent "desk" work, and how much of it involves conferencing, presenting, extroverted people skills?**

I'm mostly interested in hearing about careers in academic publishing, but I'm also curious about less traditional routes where there is a focus on communicating scientific information to the general public in a "pop science" way.

Thanks!
gpt
I’m an editor-in-chief at a high tier journal. Shortish answers:

1. It’s relative competitive. Not as bad as tenure track positions. If you get an interview, it’ll be a half or full day, they will get you assess manuscripts on the spot, talk about hot topics in the field, etc. Typically a Ph.D. is required in the field of the journal (I.e., chemistry for, say, Nature Chemistry... usually they look for a more specific area... like carbon catalysis or something... depends how big the journal is). 

2. Job security is pretty good. Mostly lateral movements from journal to journal (or when new journals launch). 

3. Assistant editors start around the $70K range. Depends on the journal/publisher. 

4. Depends on the team. Close to a 9-5, but teams are typically spread out geographically, which leads to flexibility. Sometimes there’s early morning meetings to chat with authors in China, Europe, etc. Work life balance is respected. Meet some deadlines, and no one expects to work more than 40 hours a week (approximately). 

5. About 50% of the job is handling papers, from submission through peer review to publication (or rejection). There’s also the planning of events (webinars, symposia, etc.). Strategic meetings with other journals. Recently travel is waaaay down (I.e., COVID), but most journals have a healthy travel budget for conferences and site visits (travel to a university to give a talk and network with researchers). I’d say 5-6 trips per year, some international, some domestic, conferences of different sizes.

Any other questions, just ask!