The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) seeks applicants for the next Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC). MBoC is the flagship journal of ASCB, serving the cell biology community for more than 30 years, providing researchers with constructive feedback and a platform to showcase their work to a global audience of cell scientists.
The new EIC will be a transformative leader responsible for growing the journal into the future and establishing MBoC as a “go-to” resource for a broad cell science community. The EIC will ensure a diverse and engaged Editorial Board and maintain the integrity of the peer-review process. The EIC will advocate for MBoC, grow the journal in terms of quality and volume and establish new initiatives to keep the journal at the leading edge of cell research.
The MBoC editorship is a highly influential position with a unique opportunity to shape a leading journal; improve the overall communication of new research findings; and embrace an increasingly open science environment. The EIC will focus on growing scientific content and developing editorial policies that support the ASCB community. They will work in partnership with the ASCB Publisher who oversees all peer review management and publishing operations.
Term
The EIC will be a part-time independent contractor and is expected to serve in the role for a three-year term, renewable for two years, beginning January 1, 2025.
Responsibilities
- Undertake responsibility, authority, and accountability for all peer-reviewed editorial content published in the journal. ASCB recognizes the importance of editorial independence and acknowledges the EIC’s sole responsibility for inviting, reviewing, selecting, and approving editorial content for publication in the journal in conjunction with the editorial team.
- Assume overall responsibility for MBoC’s scientific scope and determining its editorial direction. Implement strategies to grow the number of quality submissions, usage, citations, and other measures of the success of the journal in line with ASCB’s publishing strategy.
- Serve as an ambassador, and continuously build relationships with the cell biology community. Select, develop, and oversee the appointment and removal of the volunteer editorial leadership of the journal, which may include deputy editor-in-chief, section editors, associate editors, and editorial board members, as well as early career editors.
- Ensure expert, rapid, and fair decisions on manuscripts following best practices in peer review.
- Conduct regular editorial meetings to keep the editorial team engaged and updated on performance, metrics, concerns, and strategies.
- Report on MBoC performance to ASCB’s Council.
Requirements
- An accomplished cell biologist with a broad appreciation and understanding of cell biology research and a significant publication record of original research and reviews with peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Strong leadership qualities and outstanding interpersonal skills.
- Needs to be an active member of ASCB in good standing at the start of the role.
- Editorial experience as a manuscript reviewer, editorial board member, associate editor/editor of a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit a curriculum vitae and a brief (<2 pages) vision statement describing how you would grow MBoC into the future to Yurong Fei-Bloom, Ph.D., Publisher at YFeiBloom@ascb.org. Queries or discussions ahead of the application are welcome. All applications will be treated as anonymous and presented for consideration to the Editor Search Committee, which is comprised of research-active cell biologists.
Deadline
Early applications are encouraged and applications will be accepted through March 15, 2024.
About the Author:
This post was collaboratively written by several ASCB staff members.
