This editor profile is the eleventh in a series which will introduce you to a selection of our editors.
This week we have an interview with Ole Petter Ottersen, Chief Editor of Neuroscience.

What aspect of being an editor do you find most rewarding?
It’s a fantastic opportunity to keep updated, particularly in fields outside my own research area. Although, the primary reason is that I feel it is an obligation, at some point in a scientist’s career, to take this kind of thing on; it’s part of my commitment to the scientific community.

Can you describe how it feels when you come across a groundbreaking paper?
It’s what all editors are looking for; we are all trying to promote our journal.  When we see a ‘golden nugget’ we are extremely happy.  The trick of the trade is to recruit the best papers from around the world.

What advice would you give to a new editor?
First of all, you should not take on the task of being an editor unless you are willing to make the journal a priority. The competitive edge of the journal is, in part, the speed at which the papers are published. You have to be willing to put the journal on the top of your list of priorities. 

What would you change about your role as editor or the scientific journal publishing industry if you could?
From an editor’s point of view, there are no major changes that I would make with the current peer-review system.  Of course, it has its drawbacks and flaws, but after scores of years we have a system that works, and there’s nothing better to replace it.

How do you balance your role as editor with your other roles?
What I do is set aside time in the morning and time in the evening to get on top of things.  Every day, twice a day, I try to deal with all the requests and all the papers that have been submitted. 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, I was always dreaming of being a scientist.  From the age of eight, the goal was clear.  My heroes were the scientists of that time, particularly in physics and astronomy. The ability of these scientists to point to new dimensions and a new understanding of the universe is what caught my attention. 

Why did you choose medicine as your field of study?
It was more or less a coincidence.  I applied to two universities, one technical and one medical; it was almost like flipping a coin. Then, after medical school, neuroscience appeared to me to be the strongest field.  The Oslo School of Neuroscience has a long tradition going back over 100 years and that’s what pulled me. 

Tell me about collaboration.  What is the secret to success?
Generosity, in the sense of a willingness to give more than one gets back, is needed if collaboration is going to be a success. Also, you have to look ahead and consider that the collaboration is supposed to last years. One important aspect of collaboration is to form a lasting network, so that gradually you develop a very strong knowledge base on which to rely.

What gets you up in the morning?
Well, it’s the curiosity.  That’s the good thing about being a scientist; every day is special.  You don’t know what the day will bring.  The day you lose your curiosity, you have to quit.  Scientists tend to work more than most people and I think that’s because curiosity drives them.

What keeps you awake at night?
Science is, by definition, a life-long competition.  When you’re on to something quite new and extraordinary, it’s easy to worry about someone getting ahead of you. You worry about what the next controlled experiment will bring.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned in your career?
Life is so extremely short and to accomplish something in science, you need months and years even, to make things happen. Things take time.  This is something that politicians and funding bodies don’t realize.  They are often unrealistic. They need to realize that science takes time to develop and evolve. 

What is your biggest achievement?
Building strong collaborative networks, on both the national and international scale, I’m particularly proud of that.  I hope young scientists will benefit from this work.  The most important thing for a scientist is to pave the way for younger scientists.

What is your favorite quote?
“Quality is contagious!”  I don’t remember where it comes from, but I use it very often.  I think it’s a big inspiration. This quote embodies the value of establishing strong collaborative networks with the leading experts in the field.

What are you currently reading?  Would you recommend it?  If so, why?
I have a keen interest in literature; I read books all the time. I’ve recently started The Kite Runner, and the book I was reading before is called State of Denial.  It’s a fantastic book on the war in Iraq and it’s the best piece of journalism I’ve read in years.  I think it’s important for scientists to read all kinds of material, so that you don’t get too focused on one thing.  Reading is good for your mind. 

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
One of my absolutely biggest inspirations is Fridtjof Nansen.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.  He started out as a neuroscientist and went on to become a polar explorer.  He was an example, because he embodied so many different characteristics; he had this uncanny ability to combine knowledge from lots of different places.  Too many scientists today are too narrow in their scope. 

What do you like to do for fun?
I feel really happy when I am far away from everybody and it’s just the mountains and myself.  I love cross-country skiing, just like Nansen. Today, you’re lifted up the mountain by mechanical devices, but real skiing is using your own power to get up the mountain.  It’s the combination of being able to use your energy in a positive way and the enormous freedom it gives you.