06 Sep 2023

Applications invited for multiple co-Editors-in-Chief of Integrative Cell

The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) is launching Integrative Cell, an exciting new cell biology journal. The Society is recruiting multiple co-Editors-in-Chief (co-EiCs) to guide the early development of the journal over a four-year term. The SEB welcomes applications from individuals or joint applications from groups. In accordance with the SEB’s values, the appointment of multiple Editors is designed to build diversity into the new journal from the top.

Integrative Cell – Journal Scope

A new, open access journal for research into animals, plants, fungi, and prokaryotes that brings together cell biology with structural and molecular biology, modelling, and automated analysis of cellular structure including deep learning to answer questions that can only be addressed by an integrative approach.

The Journal aims to be attractive to those using a combination of advanced techniques to conduct research with impact across kingdoms. The format of publication will include the option for substantial supplementary data, meeting principles of Open Data with full details of techniques used, including publication of metadata and program code. There will be expectation of clear explanation of relevance to ensure findings are widely disseminated and rapidly taken up by others.

The Society has an agreement in principle to publish Integrative Cell with an established, not-for-profit publisher based in the United Kingdom. The incoming co-EiCs will work with the Society and Publisher in all aspects of the journal’s launch, including recruiting a dynamic and diverse editorial board, developing policies and working practices, and commissioning high-quality submissions to the journal prior to its launch.

After launch, the co-EiCs will lead the journal, be its ambassadors in the research community, and be responsible for its editorial direction.

Applicants should: be active researchers with a record of recognised scholarship; have a broad base of knowledge in the cell biology field; be able to demonstrate leadership and communication skills; and have experience working in an editorial role for a journal.

Interested applicants should submit the following information to the SEB Publications Manager, Dr Mike Page ([email protected]), by 31^st December 2023.

A vision statement for Integrative Cell, setting out how the new journal should support the research community and thrive in a competitive environment during the journal’s first decade.
A CV including relevant editorial experience.
A covering letter outlining the suitability of the applicant for the role.

Interviews will be held at the start of 2024.

Informal enquiries can be made to [email protected].

Role and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the co-EiCs are to provide editorial leadership and strategic stewardship of the journal and to guide its editorial direction. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the co-EiCs ensure the journal’s content fulfils the journal vision, provides value to its readership, and reflects the highest standards of scientific value and integrity. The co-EiCs will also work with editorial staff to ensure journal operations are conducted in accordance with industry standards and best ethical and publishing practices.

The initial tenure for these positions is four years. Tenure extensions are decided upon mutual agreement between the co-EiCs, Society, and Publisher. In overseeing the journal’s content and operations, specific responsibilities of the roles are as follows:

Pre-launch

Establish an editorial board that truly represents the community it serves. The editorial board should be dynamic, engaged, well-respected, and competent. The board’s members should reflect geographical, demographic, and cultural diversity and multidisciplinary expertise.
Work closely with the Publisher, Editorial Office, and wider editorial team on journal vision and policy.
Recruit high-quality copy to help launch the journal and provide content for its early volumes.

Post-launch

Ensure that all articles accepted for publication have undergone rigorous, objective, and timely peer review.
Proactively promote the journal and ensure a steady supply of high-quality content.
Manage the editorial board and oversee performance of their assigned roles and responsibilities, such as coordinating the peer review process. Ensure that board members remain engaged through regular communication.
Uphold recognised standards of high quality and ethical practice for scholarly publications.
Recruit and maintain qualified reviewers with diverse areas of expertise to consistently contribute to the peer review process by assessing the technical merit of submissions.
Ensure the journal’s content is valuable to its readership and contributes to growth in journal usage and submissions.
Communicate clearly, effectively, promptly, and courteously with authors, reviewers, editors, and journal staff.
Cooperate with editorial and publisher staff to ensure timely publication of papers, effective marketing initiatives, and efficient workflows throughout the production process.
Handle publication ethics issues and allegations of misconduct promptly, courteously, confidentially, and in accordance with recognized guidelines and best practices, seeking counsel on serious matters from the journal’s Publisher. Please note that the Society and Publisher will ensure the new journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) from launch.
Work with the Society and Publisher to ensure the new journal is included in indexing and metric databases at the earliest opportunity.