Research Integrity Lead

Job Description Summary The Research Integrity Lead provides strategic and operational leadership for research integrity and publishing ethics across the Health Research journals portfolio. This role establishes and embeds bestu2011practice frameworks to prevent, detect and manage integrity risks throughout the publication lifecycle, including paper mills, peeru2011review manipulation, data and image fabrication and AI misuse. Acting as a central expert function, the role advises senior publishing leadership, supports editors and publishers in complex cases and ensures consistent, transparent and proportionate responses aligned with COPE and industry standards. The Research Integrity Lead drives the effective use of integrity screening tools, oversees policy development and training, represents the organization in crossu2011industry initiatives, and promotes a culture of preventive integrity to safeguard the credibility of the scholarly record. Job Description As the Research Integrity Lead , you are responsible for setting, embedding, and operationalizing bestu2011practice approaches to research integrity and publishing ethics across the journal portfolio. The role provides subjectu2011matter leadership on integrity risks (e.g. paper mills, manipulated peer review, image and data manipulation, AI misuse), ensures consistent and proportionate responses to integrity concerns, and represents the organization externally in industry initiatives. The role operates as a centeru2011ofu2011expertise function, working closely with Publishing, Legal and Operations teams. Initially, this position does not include line management responsibility but is expected to exert influence through expertise, governance and collaboration. This role contributes to safeguarding the integrity of the scholarly record throughout the publication lifecycle. Responsibilities + Define and maintain a clear, proportionate research integrity framework, covering preu2011publication screening, investigations and postu2011publication actions. + Translate highu2011level integrity principles into operational guidance, escalation pathways and decision frameworks usable by publishers and editors. + Advise senior publishing leadership and individual publishers on emerging integrity risks, resourcing needs and reputational exposure. + Act as a senior advisor on complex or highu2011risk integrity cases, including suspected paperu2011mill activity, fabricated data, manipulated images, authorship disputes and AIu2011related concerns. + Ensure investigations and outcomes (corrections, retractions, expressions of concern) are handled consistently, transparently, and in line with COPE guidance, while respecting confidentiality and legal constraints. + Support publishers and editors in applying sound editorial judgement rather than mechanistic ruleu2011following. + Lead the adoption and effective use of integrity screening tools and signals, in collaboration with Technology and Editorial Operations (e.g. plagiarism, image manipulation, paperu2011mill indicators). + Act as the organizational owner for engagement with relevant collaborative industry initiatives. + Continuously assess the effectiveness, limitations and unintended consequences of automated screening. + Maintain and update research integrity, publishing ethics and AIu2011use policies in line with evolving industry standards. + Develop targeted training and guidance for publishers, editors, and society partners to strengthen early detection and consistent handling of integrity issues. + Promote a culture of preventive integrity, not solely postu2011publication correction. + Represent the organization in industry forums and working group s (e.g. STM, COPE, crossu2011publisher initiatives). + Monitor external developments (Retraction Watch trends, regulatory changes, funder expectations) and assess implications for the portfolio. + Contribute to the organizationu2019s external credibility as a responsible, transparent publisher. Qualifications + Minimum 5 yearsu2019 experience in STM publishing, research integrity, publication ethics, or a closely related field. + Demonstrated expertise in research integrity and publishing ethics, including misconduct investigations, preu2011 and postu2011publication actions, and complex judgementu2011based cases. + Strong working knowledge of COPE Core Practices, STM guidance, and standard correction and retraction workflows. + Experience advising or working with editors, publishers, legal and operations teams on sensitive integrity issues. + Proven ability to operate effectively without formal authority, influencing through expertise and credibility. + Availability to travel globally ( Preferred + Advanced degree (PhD or Masteru2019s) in a Health or Medical discipline, research methods, information science, or related field. + Participation in crossu2011industry integrity initiatives or working groups. + Experience implementing or overseeing integrity screening tools and portfoliou2011level policies. + Prior experience in a publisher, editorial leadership, or research administration environment. Our Interview Practices _To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure weu2019re getting to know youu2014not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process._ _Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process._ Compensation: $83,700.00 - $146,800.00 USD This role is eligible for Bonus. _Compensation range listed is based on primary location of the position. Actual base salary offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skills, experience and actual hiring location. Your recruiter can share more information about the specific offer for the job location during the hiring process._ Additional Information : Wolters Kluwer offers a wide variety of competitive benefits and programs to help meet your needs and balance your work and personal life, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Commuter Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plan, Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Parental Leave. Full details of our benefits are available upon request.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Wolters Kluwer U. S. Corporation and all of its subsidiaries, divisions and customer/business units is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Created: 2026-04-04