Peer Review Associate (Reviewer Selection)
Job Purpose
The Peer Review Associate (Reviewer Selection) , plays a critical role in managing and maintaining the integrity, efficiency, and quality of the peer review process for assigned scholarly journals. The role involves identifying and engaging qualified reviewers, coordinating with editors and authors, ensuring adherence to publication standards, and supporting the successful progression of manuscripts through the peer review lifecycle.
Working closely with journal editorial teams, Sage colleagues in the US and UK, and other stakeholders, the Associate contributes to delivering a seamless peer review experience while upholding the highest ethical and publishing standards.
Department: Global Services Division – Publishing Services
Reports To: Peer Review Supervisor
Direct Reports: None
Key Responsibilities
Reviewer Selection & Peer Review Management
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Identify, evaluate, and invite suitable peer reviewers for submitted manuscripts, ensuring reviewer expertise and absence of conflicts of interest.
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Manage reviewer invitations and follow-ups until sufficient high-quality reviews are obtained (typically two reviews per manuscript).
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Monitor the progress of manuscripts throughout the peer review cycle and ensure timely completion of all review-related activities.
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Support reviewers in completing reviews through Sage Track and resolve any process-related issues.
Stakeholder Management
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Build and maintain strong working relationships with Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, authors, reviewers, and internal Sage teams.
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Serve as a key point of contact for journal stakeholders regarding peer review activities and manuscript progress.
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Respond to stakeholder queries professionally and within agreed service timelines.
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Escalate sensitive or complex communications to management when necessary.
Editorial & Administrative Support
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Review newly submitted manuscripts to ensure compliance with journal submission requirements and readiness for peer review.
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Maintain and administer assigned journals through Sage Track.
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Update and optimize journal-specific email templates and workflow processes.
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Generate and analyze reports from Sage Track to support journal performance monitoring.
Production Readiness & Quality Assurance
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Verify that accepted manuscripts meet all production requirements before transfer to the Production team.
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Ensure author information, manuscript files, permissions, references, contributor forms, and supporting documents are complete and accurate.
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Export accepted manuscripts within established publication timelines.
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Maintain high standards of editorial accuracy and process compliance.
Collaboration & Process Improvement
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Work closely with editorial, production, and marketing teams across Sage 's global offices.
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Participate in the implementation of new journals and platform enhancements.
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Support global initiatives to improve peer review workflows and operational efficiency.
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Stay informed about evolving peer review practices, publishing ethics, and industry best practices.
Essential Duties
- Conduct manuscript compliance checks.
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Perform reviewer research, selection, and invitation management.
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Track overdue tasks and ensure timely completion of activities by editors, reviewers, and authors.
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Manage contributor forms and author documentation.
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Maintain daily workflow trackers and productivity records.
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Prepare and share weekly performance reports with management.
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Troubleshoot Sage Track issues and coordinate with technical support teams when required.
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Provide guidance and support to Editorial Assistants where applicable.
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Ensure journals comply with established workflows, standards, and publication timelines.
Productivity & Performance Expectations
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Manage a portfolio of journals and manuscript submissions in line with annual workload allocation plans.
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Meet or exceed predefined turnaround times and ser