The Physiological Society (‘The Society’) is seeking interested candidates for the role of inaugural Editor-in-Chief (EiC) for The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease (JPM), one of two new Open Access journal titles we have launched in partnership with Elsevier.
The EiC will lead on the scholarly development and publication of this new journal and will work together with The Society to determine a strategic vision for the journal. They will also collaborate with the Publisher and the Journal Manager at Elsevier. The role of the EiC is to define the scope of the journal and ensure its development in the market space in terms of quality, reputation, speed to decision, and scientific reputation.
Tasks include handling manuscripts, recruiting and supervising Senior Editors and Board members, commissioning relevant content, planning special issues upholding ethical standards and research integrity, and generally being an advocate for the journal. An EiC is expected to work on the journal on a daily basis, with support from The Society’s Publications Team and staff at Elsevier. Submissions to the new journal will be welcomed from autumn with the first papers published in early 2025.
The Society is looking for a candidate who will be available to begin work on the journal from October 2024.
If you are interested in reading more about this role, please read the full job description below and find details of how to apply.
Application deadline: 18th September 2024, 23:59 BST
Job Description
Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease
Description of role
The Editor-in-Chief is appointed for an initial three-year term, renewable for a further three years.
The Editor-in-Chief reports to The Physiological Society’s Board of Trustees 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 work with the Society’s staff and publishing partner to define the scope of the journal.
- To lead the implementation of the strategic development of The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease (JPM) with vision, insight and energy, establishing its status as a leading Open Access 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 . The Senior Editors collectively appoint the Reviewing Editors.
- To identify future trends and anticipate new directions in precision medicine research, positioning JPM to reflect and benefit from these. The content of JPM should define precision medicine both now and for the future.
- To champion and ensure broad representation on the Editorial Board and where possible in other activities of JPM, for instance in choice of referees, aligning journal initiatives and activities with the Society’s inclusion and diversity policy.
- To chair online 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 JPM, 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 launch of the journal, preparing to begin publishing papers in January 2025.
- 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 JPM 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 JPM 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 other journals.
Key competencies
- A clear vision for the future direction of JPM and how to achieve it
- An international track record in scientific research
- A broad knowledge of precision medicine 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 JPM, including openness to using social media
Deadline: 18th September 2024
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 JPM – 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 jpm@physoc.org.