Vacancy: Editor-in-Chief for Age and Ageing journal
The British Geriatrics Society is recruiting a new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) for its prestigious, international scientific journal in 2025. The role of EiC offers a rare and exciting opportunity to undertake meaningful work in the advancement of geriatric medical research.
Age and Ageing, journal of the British Geriatrics Society, is currently led by Professor Rowan Harwood, who will retire from the role around the end of 2024. Expressions of interest are invited from qualified candidates to succeed him as Editor in Chief after a period of handover.
The journal aims to publish high-quality content intended to build the evidence base and ultimately enhance the quality of healthcare for older people. The journal’s Impact Factor has grown steadily in recent years, and now stands at 6.7, making the journal’s worldwide ranking in the Si: Geriatrics & Gerontology category 10th out of 54.
About the role
The EiC oversees the peer review process and editorial policy and strategy to produce topical, relevant, high-quality content for readers of Age and Ageing journal. They apply their scientific and editorial expertise to identify articles suitable for publication and work with authors, peer reviewers and Editorial Board members to further improve the quality of individual articles through the process of peer review.
The practical requirements include the triaging of 40 new submissions and making editorial decisions on 15 peer reviewed submissions per week, a weekly one-hour meeting with the Editorial Manager, writing an Editor’s View article each month, and ongoing commissioning activities.
A full role description is available on this page.
About the person
This prestigious role will appeal to experienced academics/researchers who are keen to take on a senior position with a respected international journal. You will be familiar with the editorial and publishing process from your work with academic journals as an author, peer reviewer, associate editor or editor. You will have wide knowledge of geriatric medicine and gerontology and the related research and evidence base. You may or may not be working as a clinician, but you will definitely have a good understanding of clinical practice in older people’s care, preferably within the NHS. You will bring credibility and excellent judgement to the role.
About the opportunity
Academic publishing is in a state of flux with new models emerging in response to a drive towards greater accessibility. Age and Ageing is well-positioned to weather this upheaval and to maintain its impact and reputation. It is an exciting time to take up the editorship of the journal, following in the footsteps of Professor Rowan Harwood and further developing the journal’s international reach and scope for publishing innovative and influential research.
Commitment and remuneration
It is anticipated that the EiC will spend the equivalent of one and a half days each week working on the journal, but the timing can be flexible to fit around other professional activities. Annual remuneration (currently 3 sessions per week) will be paid to the releasing institution of the EiC, subject to the terms of engagement. The EiC’s contract with the BGS will be for a period of five years; this may be extended by up to one year by mutual agreement.
Support and committee structure
The EiC will join an active, engaged and highly motivated Editorial Board of 37 members, who offer practical support and editorial guidance to authors. They will also sit on the Executive Committee, which comprises the Chair and the senior editorial team of Age and Ageing plus BGS senior staff and officers, to oversee the business side of the journal. Expertise is also provided by an eminent International Advisory Board, and by the publisher, Oxford University Press.
The BGS provides the EiC with support, including through an established full-time Editorial Manager and part-time Editorial Assistants.
Applications
A statement of max 400 words setting out what you would bring to the role and a CV should be sent to our Editorial Manager, Katy Ladbrook aa [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk by 9am 22/01/2024. Interviews will be held online at the end of January.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role with the current EiC, Professor Rowan Harwood, please contact Katy Ladbrook to arrange this.