The British Ornithologists’ Union is one of the world’s oldest and most respected ornithological organisations with an international membership stretching across all continents. In 2008, the BOU celebrated 150 years supporting ornithology. The BOU publishes Ibis, the international journal of avian science, four times per year and is seeking a Chief Editor to lead the editorial team.
Ibis is an international journal with a reputation for publishing high quality papers in avian science, covering a range of topics, including ecology, conservation, behaviour, palaeontology, taxonomy and new species. The current editorial team is made up of a Chief Editor and five Editors, and is supported by a Journal Manager (responsible for coordinating the journal’s peer review process) and an international Associate Editorial Board. Further details about the journal can be found on this site (see links above and left).
We are seeking a Chief Editor who will oversee the handling and publishing of papers in Ibis. The Chief Editor must be a highly motivated, decisive, outstanding communicator, and must act with the highest probity. They must have an excellent understanding of their own field of avian science, as well as of the wider discipline, and have experience of refereeing and the editing process, including dealing with electronic manuscript processing.
This is a part-time freelance position with a current annual remuneration of £4,740 inclusive of travel and other expenses. An appointment will be made with an agreed start date before July 2009.
Key responsibilities:
- Work with the editorial team and Journal Manager to oversee manuscript processing from submission to publication
- Pre-screen submitted manuscripts for suitability for the journal, make decisions based on editors’ recommendations, and overseeing manuscript revision and editing with the editors
- Identify key established or emerging subject areas for the journal to focus on
- Solicit the submission of high quality manuscripts in all areas relevant to the journal
- Use opinion from fellow scientists/practitioners to drive changes in procedure, to develop initiatives and/or to feed into general discussions on journal strategy
- Promote Ibis and the British Ornithologists’ Union when attending conferences
- Work with senior BOU staff, appointed Council members and the publisher’s representative in the management of the journal
- Work closely with the journal publisher’s staff to ensure the journal keeps to its publication schedule
- Contribute to the journal’s strategic development plan and its annual appraisal
Attend annual meetings in the UK with the publishers (Wiley-Blackwell), the editorial team and BOU Council - Help to identify new associate editors
Selection Criteria:
- Strong, current publication record
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject area, complementary to that of the editorial team
- Experience of refereeing (essential) and of editorial work (highly desirable)
- A good understanding of electronic manuscript handling systems (Ibis uses Manuscript Central)
- Ability to work independently and also as an editorial team member
- Ability to manage the editorial team and Associate Editor Board
- Ability to deal with authors efficiently, professionally and respectfully
- Ability to think strategically and act decisively
- Commitment to the post and to the goals of the BOU
Applications and informal enquiries: Applicants should send a CV, plus a letter stating what you have to offer Ibis and how you would develop the journal over the next five years to Steve Dudley, BOU Senior Administrator, steve.dudley@bou.org.uk. Informal enquiries should also be directed to Steve.
Closing date: 27 March 2009. Interviews will be held on 17 April.
