Methods in Ecology and Evolution (MEE) is seeking a new Senior Editor to strengthen and complement the existing team, and to continue raising the Journal’s profile worldwide. The candidate will join Executive Editor, Professor Rob Freckleton, and Senior Editor, Dr Bob O’Hara, who are supported by an international board of 47 Associate Editors along with an in-house editorial team.

MEE promotes the development of new methods in ecology and evolution, and facilitates their dissemination and uptake by the research community. MEE brings together papers from previously disparate sub-disciplines to provide a single forum for tracking methodological developments in all areas. Methods are defined in the widest terms and may be analytical, practical or conceptual. A primary aim of the journal is to maximise the uptake of techniques by the community. The journal is currently publishing its 5th volume and has an Impact Factor of 5.924, placing it 12th in the ISI Ecology list.

The Editors work together to determine journal strategy and to increase the reputation and quality of the Journal, in addition to making decisions on around 800 manuscripts annually. Further details about the Journal and its current editorial team can be found at www.methodsinecologyandevolution.org.

We are interested in applicants from all fields of ecology or evolution. In particular, we are looking for someone to act as the handling editor for all of our Application papers, which are citable descriptions of new software, equipment, or other practical tools in ecology and evolution. Applicants who would broaden the diversity among the Editorial Board are particularly welcomed.

Editors must be highly motivated, decisive, outstanding communicators and must act with probity. They must have an excellent understanding of their own field of ecology or evolution, as well as the wider discipline; have experience of the peer-review and editing processes; a commitment to maintaining the high editorial standards of the Journal; and an interest in ongoing developments within academic publishing.

MEE is one of five journals published by the British Ecological Society (BES). The Society, which has a worldwide membership of over 5,000, was established in 1913 and its vision is to advance ecology and make it count.

The post of Senior Editor is part-time, on a three-year contract (current salary c. £5,700 per annum) and is located at the holder’s host university or organisation. Some additional support is available to facilitate attendance at meetings with other BES Editors and to act as ambassadors for the Journal at relevant conferences.

Applicants should be available to start in June 2014. Key responsibilities are listed below and the post can be discussed further with the Journal’s Executive Editor, Professor Rob Freckleton (r.freckleton@sheffield.ac.uk).

Purpose of role: Working with other members of the Journal Team to ensure that the Journal publishes top-quality, timely material and to plan and implement strategies that will enhance its profile and expand its readership.

Selection criteria:

  • Extensive publication history
  • In depth subject knowledge but also broad understanding of methodological developments in ecology and evolution, complementary to that of the existing editors
  • Significant experience of reviewing across a range of ecology or evolution journals and at least some experience of other editorial work
  • Ability to work independently and to prioritise from a range of active projects
  • Ability to form, and operate in, scientific networks, including through the use of social media
  • Ability to think strategically and act decisively
  • Commitment to the post and to the goals of the BES

Key responsibilities:

  • Identify key subject areas on which the Journal should focus (whether already established or emerging/advancing rapidly)
  • Solicit submission of high-quality manuscripts in all areas relevant to the Journal
  • Drive the strategic direction of the Journal by pre-screening submitted manuscripts for suitability, selecting handling editors and reviewers and making decisions based on their reports
  • Gather opinions from fellow ecologists on the strengths and weaknesses of the Journal: use this information to drive changes in procedure, to develop initiatives and/or to feed into general discussions
  • Identify and recruit new Associate Editors
  • Assist editorial team to identify papers for further promotion via video, podcasting and the media
  • Promote the Journal and the BES when attending conferences
  • Contribute to the Journal’s development and join in discussions with those involved with other
  • BES journals
  • Act as handling editor for a limited number of manuscripts, including Application papers, and cover for the Executive Editor as needed
  • Active engagement with social media tools in order to help promote the Journal

To apply: please send your CV, plus a letter stating how your skills match the stated selection criteria and how you would develop the journal in the next three years to Samantha Ponton, Assistant Editor (samantha@britishecologicalsociety.org).

Closing date: Monday 31st March 2014 (noon GMT).

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 29th April, in person at Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU or by phone depending on location.