Kudos to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (#HHMI) for strengthening its 2022 #OpenAccess policy to require the immediate sharing of new research through #preprints under #CCBY licenses.
https://hhmicdn.blob.core.windows.net/policies/Immediate-Access-to-Research.pdf
This kind of policy is often called #Plan_U, though HHMI doesn't use that term. The policy takes effect January 1, 2026.
For background, here are the items tagged with "oa.plan_u" in the Open Access Tracking Project (#OATP, @oatp).
https://tagteam.harvard.edu/hubs/oatp/item_search?q=oa.plan_u
HHMI-funded research must be posted as preprints, including subsequent revisions after peer review:
https://hhmicdn.blob.core.windows.net/policies/Immediate-Access-to-Research.pdf
Effectively implements Plan U as spelled out by @richardsever et al. (2019) here:
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000273
Michael Eisen & Prachee Avasthi @PracheeAC go a step further and call the new policy not enough, asking for "HHMI should prohibit the use of any HHMI funds on any aspect of journal publishing" – and indeed, that would bring about much needed change in #ScientificPublishing .
https://thescientistpapers.substack.com/p/open-letter-to-hhmi-on-their-immediate
Early career #openscience enthusiasts, here's an opportunity to join a movement-leading team at #hhmi :
Primary Work Address: 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815 Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account. HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – even stretching into film and media production. Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between. The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation. As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference. Summary: The HHMI is looking to hire an Open Science Fellow to join their Open Science Strategy team. This Fellow will be assigned a primary project but will work on it collaboratively with the open science team and other HHMI colleagues. This opportunity offers recent PhD graduates or postdocs a pivot from a research career to a career in the non-profit research administration sector. In exchange, we expect the Fellow to bring fresh perspectives from their recent research experiences to their work at HHMI. This newly created position reports to the Program Officer for Scientific Strategy and follows a hybrid schedule of three days per week in person at HHMI’s headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD, and two days remotely. The Open Science Fellow position has a one-year appointment, with the option to extend up to two years if mutually agreed between HHMI and the Fellow. Please note we are not able to sponsor a visa for this position. What we provide: A direct role in supporting critical work that impacts HHMI’s mission of advancing biomedical research for the benefit of humanity. A dynamic team that believes in collaboration, results-driven working styles, and continuous learning and cultivates a supportive environment where all members of the team can contribute and function at their highest level. A competitive compensation package that includes up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement each year and a significant budget for professional development! What you’ll do: Communications Project HHMI is seeking an Open Science Fellow to support the communication and promotion of open science practices within its research community. The Fellow will help develop a strategic approach to sharing impactful open science initiatives, highlight developments from an emerging research communication initiative, and write compelling stories that link open science practices to research impact. A background in biomedical research is essential to identify meaningful practices and collaborate effectively with the Open Science and Communications teams. Key Responsibilities: Support initiatives that advance open science within the HHMI community. Research and gather information on open science practices. Create content for HHMI channels that communicates the impact of open science. Professional Development Opportunities This Fellow will benefit from structured training, mentorship, and networking to support their career growth. The Fellow will have dedicated time to focus on their individual professional development goals. Opportunities include: Mentorship and networking with HHMI professionals in relevant fields. Peer connection with other Fellows across HHMI, including Tangled Bank Communications Fellows. Access to online courses and conferences on research administration and related topics. What you bring: PhD or equivalent in a biomedical research field. Research lab experience (+4 years) required. Experience communicating science to general audiences. Experience practicing and advocating for open science preferred. Strong communication and active listening skills Interpersonal and leadership skills to influence and build credibility with project teams and the scientific community. Must be skilled in working collaboratively and effectively with employees at all levels of the organization with the ability to influence others. Problem-solving skills, prioritizing and effectively progressing many competing priorities or ideas. Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity in helping to design new projects. Application Instructions: To apply, please submit a resume and a brief, one-page cover letter, that explains why you are interested in this role (required). Physical Requirements: Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Compensation Range $74,200 (minimum) - $80,500 (midpoint) - $91,000 (maximum) Pay Type: Annual Compensation and Benefits Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. Compensation Range $0.00 (minimum) - $0.00 (midpoint) - $0.00 (maximum) Pay Type: Annual HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range. HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever-evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long-term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time. Why HHMI To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we're taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page. Your best option for consideration in our career opportunities is to apply directly via our HHMI Careers site. There, you will learn more about HHMI and can find information about our available roles. Contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation related to completing the job application. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
Bodo Stern at #HHMI is spot on in his assessment of the decision by #WebOfScience to stop indexing @eLife articles: "Rather than helping move scholarly communication forward, Web of Science, by punishing a leader in the field, is in fact holding it back."
https://www.coalition-s.org/blog/how-the-web-of-science-takes-a-step-back/
<p>The Web of Science, a major commercial indexing service of scientific journals operated by Clarivate, recently decided to remove eLife from its Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). eLife will only be partially indexed in Web of Science as part of its Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI). The justification offered for this decision is that eLife’s […]</p>
Neuroscientist Nelson Spruston named new executive director of #HHMIJanelia, replacing cell biologist Ron Vale.
#HHMI president's words are as transparent as it gets:
"Erin O’Shea, President of HHMI, said, “Nelson is the right leader at the right time in this next chapter for Janelia. With his deep knowledge about what makes the Janelia model conducive to doing great science, he can help guide Janelia both strategically and operationally to pursue important questions in the life sciences.”"
https://www.janelia.org/news/janelia-names-nelson-spruston-its-third-executive-director
NIH increases PhD and postdoc salaries:
"Predoctoral scholars will receive an approximate 4% increase in their pay level bringing it to $28,224, and postdoctoral scholars will receive an approximate increase of 8%, with pay levels beginning at $61,008 and upwardly adjusted based on years of experience. NIH aims to increase these pay levels over the next five years."
For postdocs, "only" ~10k short of entry-level salaries at #HHMI: https://www.hhmi.org/news/hhmi-announces-postdoc-salary-changes
"In this report, we summarize the results obtained over the past decade."
Which funding agency, which institution could sport such time ranges? #HHMI of course.
"A split-GAL4 driver line resource for Drosophila CNS cell types", Meissner et al. 2024
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.01.09.574419v3.full
#HHMI is veering that way – preprints and open access in non-profit journals only. I wish the #WellcomeTrust, #MaxPlanckSociety and #ERC were to follow suit.
On @eLife , the article falls very short: at #eLife we've been publishing Reviewed Preprints at the same rate that we were publishing "traditional" articles before. See:
"eLife’s New Model: One year on" (2024) https://elifesciences.org/inside-elife/66d43597/elife-s-new-model-one-year-on
and
"Scientific Publishing: The first year of a new era" (2024)
https://elifesciences.org/articles/96413
Andy Tseng
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Megaphone :verified:
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