The Physiological Society is seeking the next Editor-in-Chief for The Journal of Physiology. This editorship is a highly influential position in physiology, providing a unique opportunity to shape The Journal and direction of physiological research. Applications are welcome from visionary leaders, irrespective of area of physiological research or location.
Description of role
The Editor-in-Chief is appointed for an initial three-year term, renewable for a further three years. Their term of office will follow a handover from the outgoing Editor-in-Chief.
The Editor-in-Chief reports to The Physiological Society’s Council through its Publications Committee, which will review their performance annually.
The Editor-in-Chief is entitled to an honorarium as compensation for any expenses incurred in performing their duties.
Functions, tasks and responsibilities
- To lead the implementation of the strategic development of The Journal of Physiology (JP) with vision, insight and energy, maintaining its status as the pre-eminent journal in the discipline.
- To enlist and lead the academic editorial team in line with the Society’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion roadmap, nominating the senior team as the current Senior Editors rotate off the Editorial Board, to be approved by the Publications Committee. The Senior Editors collectively appoint the Reviewing Editors.
- To identify future trends and anticipate new directions in physiological research, positioning JP to reflect and benefit from these. The content of JP should define physiology both now and for the future.
- To champion and ensure broad representation on the Editorial Board and where possible in other activities of JP, for instance in choice of referees, aligning journal initiatives and activities with the Society’s inclusion and diversity policy.
- To chair meetings of the senior team and the full Editorial Board, which should be organised in line with the Society’s sustainability policy.
- To act as an ambassador for JP, representing it at international scientific conferences as required and soliciting high-calibre submissions, and to engage directly with its community of authors and readers in other ways, for instance through social media.
- To be open to and to support cultural change and the adoption of new technologies in journal publishing.
- To initiate and introduce new editorial features, types of article and services to authors and readers.
- To innovate in editorial processes, for instance in peer review.
- Working with the Publishing Committee and the Society staff, lead the journal through a period of transition, preparing for an Open Access publishing environment.
- To champion integrity, transparency and reproducibility in the conduct and reporting of research, in line with the goals of Open Science.
- To input into the Society’s strategy for its journals, including its position on Open Access.
- To work with the Society’s publishing staff and the Publication Ethics Subcommittee in investigation of cases of suspected misconduct.
- To arbitrate in appeals by authors and in other issues relating to editorial matters.
- To work with the Managing Editor in ensuring that JP provides authors, editors and reviewers with an excellent service and is published efficiently and punctually.
- Daily attention and prompt communication with staff and Editorial Board members.
- To attend meetings of the Society’s Publications Committee (and other Society meetings as required), representing and reporting on JP as required.
- To agree annually with Publications Committee goals and targets in line with the Society’s strategy, and to report on progress against these.
- To coordinate publishing activities and initiatives with the Editors-in-Chief of the Society’s two other journals.
Key competencies
- A clear vision for the future direction of JP and how to achieve it
- An international track record in scientific research
- A broad knowledge of physiology and related disciplines, and an awareness of new directions in research
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Experience in a senior position on an editorial board
- An ability to work effectively with and respond promptly to the Society’s publications staff
- Engagement with initiatives in journal publishing (Open Science, new models of peer review)
- Diplomacy, judgement and fairness in dealing with author appeals, misconduct cases, etc
- The willingness and skills to be an ambassador for JP, including openness to using social media
Deadline: 9th June 2023
How to apply:
Interested candidates should supply an up to date CV, including a record of their publications history and any experience serving as an Editor in Chief, Senior Editor, or other kind of Board member. They should also provide a covering letter setting out their experience and their vision for the future of JP – candidates should pay close attention to the Job Description and give consideration to how the development of open science and the changing publishing landscape will have an impact on the Journal.
Applications should be submitted by email to the Head of Publishing, Lucinda Periac-Arnold lperiac@physoc.org.