Role Profile
The Editor-in-Chief will develop and deliver a vision for the continued improvement and development of their journal, and for driving forward new initiatives. Working in close partnership with the Society, its Publisher, and the editorial board, the Editor-in-Chief will deliver strategic direction to the journal and contribute more broadly to the Society’s goals.
While the following list is not exhaustive, the Editor-in-Chief’s responsibilities will include the following:
Editorial
• In association with the editorial board, to agree and implement an ambitious editorial strategy that supports the Society’s vision for the journal.
• Provide leadership to the editorial board in the management of the journal.
• Take overall responsibility for the peer review system and workflow within the journal.
• Chair editorial board meetings as well as other journal events or presentations (e.g. webinars).
• Oversee recruitment activity for Senior Editor positions and for the identification and appointment of all other Editors.
• In collaboration with the relevant Senior Editors and Society staff, be responsible for setting a commissioning strategy and plan for the journal.
• Identify and act on opportunities to gather high-quality content for the journal.
• Be ultimately responsible for journal-related ethical issues and queries/concerns from authors, with guidance and support provided by the Publisher and in line with COPE and other relevant guidelines.
• Communicate and engage with the wider editorial board to ensure they remain active and engaged and are acting as advocates for the journal.
• Actively engage with developments in academic publishing, including Open Science.
Advocacy
• Act as an advocate for the journal at international meetings.
• Represent the journal through attendance at Society meetings where appropriate, in particular the annual Pharmacology meeting, which is usually held in December.
• Represent the journal through attendance and active participation at key committees and task groups.
• Promote and embody the values of equality, diversity and inclusion at the Society and on the journal.
Collaboration
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Society to ensure alignment of strategies and goals, particularly in relation to the development of the discipline, and the broadening of scope to reach out to new audiences in pharmacology and therapeutics.
• Establish a collaborative and effective working relationship with the in-house publications staff at the Society and with the Society’s publisher.
• Manage all issues related to the effective running of the journal.
• Engage with the Society and its publisher on operational matters, including journal finances, and marketing activities for the journal, including virtual issues and marketing at scientific meetings.
• Work closely with the BPS Meetings committee to identify journal opportunities. The term of office will be for an initial three years. There is an honorarium associated with the position to cover expenses for undertaking the responsibilities outline above. The workload for the role, as it stands, occupies approximately one day per week.
Personal Profile
• An established pharmacologist with an excellent research and publication track
record.
• Experience as a journal Editor, with strong critical analysis and appraisal skills, and a good understanding of peer review, publication ethics and scientific publishing.
- A shared vision for the societies goal of increased Early Career Researcher (ECR) engagement with the journal, as well as strong links to ECR networks.
• A clear vision for driving the future direction of the journal.
• Able to lead and run an effective international editorial team.
• Keen to work effectively with the Society and its staff, the Society’s Publisher and the editorial board to innovate and continuously improve the quality of the journal.
• Able to commit regular time to working on the journal alongside existing commitments.
• Membership of the British Pharmacological Society is desirable.
• A commitment to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion.
How to apply
Please send a CV and cover letter to Chris Ackroyd at chris.ackroyd@bps.ac.uk