Abstract: Objective  This paper aims to summarize the core competencies that editors of scientific journals should possess and propose improvement strategies to promote the cultivation of editors of scientific journals to meet the needs of construction and cultivation of world-class scientific journals in China. Methods  The role, responsibilities, and qualifications of editors of top international academic journals were surveyed. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among researchers with academic publication experience, and interviews were held with experts in medicine, journalism, and publishing industry. The core competencies that editors of scientific journals should possess were analyzed. Results  The findings indicate that editors of scientific journals need to possess professional academic abilities, including keen academic insight and disciplinary expertise; editorial skills, including proficiency in norms and standards of academic journal and publishing processes, and the ability to learn promptly new knowledge related to publishing to meet the needs of modern academic publishing; and publishing service capabilities, including academic organizational capabilities and communication skills, as well as interpersonal communication skills. The ability to establish，maintain, and develop a network of interpersonal relationships is also crucial. Improvement strategies mainly include building an industry environment for talent growth, where the editor determines the goals and directions through their own efforts. Conclusion  The core competencies of editors of scientific journals can be enhanced through building an industry environment for talent growth and the efforts of editors themselves, making editors of scientific journals interdisciplinary talents and promoting the rapid and high-quality development of domestic scientific journals.

Key words: scientific journals, editor, core competence, improvement strategies