Deputy Editor for Cell and Molecular Biology

eLife is conducting an open search for a new Deputy Editor to oversee content in cell and molecular biology (with an emphasis on cancer).
eLife jobs

Closing date for applications is March 31, 2023.

eLife is inviting applications for a Deputy Editor to oversee a section of eLife devoted to public review and assessment of preprints in the cell and molecular biology area (with an emphasis on cancer). The Deputy Editor is a leadership position that involves working with the Editor-in-Chief, the other Deputy Editors, Senior and Reviewing Editors, and eLife staff to both oversee submissions in cell and molecular biology and to champion and support our new publication model, which focuses on the public review and assessment of preprints.

Experience and attributes

Candidates should be active researchers, have significant editorial experience, be able to work collaboratively with Senior Editors across the entire spectrum of cell and molecular biology and have a vision for further developing and growing that area of the journal. The successful candidate should fully embrace the overall ethos and mission of eLife and be willing to work collaboratively with the Editor-in-Chief and the broader editorial team to reshape the process of scientific and medical publishing to better serve authors, researchers, clinicians, patients and the broader community.

Specific responsibilities

Reporting to the Editor-in-Chief, the new Deputy Editor will lead a team of Senior Editors and Reviewing Editors, who peer review and assess a wide spectrum of original submissions and review articles in cell and molecular biology. In addition, the Deputy Editor will be charged with enhancing the visibility of the new eLife model and guiding its future course. The successful candidate will receive a generous annual stipend.

Roles and responsibilities include:

  • Providing oversight of submissions relating to cell and molecular biology to ensure high standards, and timely and consistent decisions.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with Senior Editors and Reviewing Editors, including recruiting new editors in line with eLife's diversity objectives.
  • Promoting eLife internationally and actively encouraging colleagues to submit high quality preprints.
  • Helping to catalyse change in the conduct and communication of research in the life sciences.
  • Attending weekly editorial leadership meetings (virtually, via zoom).
  • Establishing and developing editorial policies and processes.

Terms and conditions

To help identify the best candidates, we are conducting an open search. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31, 2023 (5pm GMT).

eLife is also serious about diversity and inclusion. To ensure our editorial leadership represents the diverse experiences of the worldwide readership of eLife, we particularly welcome applications from women and researchers based outside of North America as these perspectives are currently underrepresented among the group.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to Michael Eisen, care of Lena Dowdall (hr [at] elifesciences.org). The cover letter should: outline the reasons for your interest in this role and your ideas for publishing at eLife, outline your vision for creating a diverse and engaged editorial board, include a summary of major research contributions, list three representative research articles (which can include preprints), and summarise any relevant editorial work.

The Deputy Editor may perform these services at a location of their choosing and is not expected to maintain a regular office at the headquarters of eLife.