Editor-in-Chief

Job Description

The New England Botanical Society (NEBS) seeks a professional Editor-in-Chief for its peer-reviewed journal Rhodora, which began publication in 1899. Devoted primarily to the botany of New England and the broader North American region, this journal publishes scientific papers and notes relating to the systematics, floristics, ecology, evolution, biogeography, population genetics, paleobotany, and conservation biology of this or floristically-related regions. Rhodora is published quarterly, with approximately 450 pages printed annually. The Editor-in-Chief is a part-time, remote, paid position at $12,000.00 per year that oversees all aspects of journal publication and promotion, works with the journal’s Managing Editor, Editorial Board of Associate Editors, and Rhodora Committee, and is a voting member of NEBS Council.

About Us

Founded in 1896, NEBS is a non-profit organization promoting the study of plants, fungi and algae of North America, especially the flora of New England and adjacent areas. The Society holds monthly meetings during the academic year, maintains nonvascular and vascular herbaria (more than 260,000 sheets), has a small library, and annually grants research and publication awards. For more information please visit our webpage: www.rhodora.org.

Duties & Responsibilities

● Publish original, scientifically sound, well-documented, peer-reviewed articles on a diverse range of botanical topics of interest to the readership
● Collaborate with and oversee the work of the journal’s Managing Editor, and maintain efficient working relationships with volunteer Associate Editors on the Editorial Board
● Lead and attend regular meetings of the Rhodora Committee, an advisory committee comprised of Council members and others
● Attend and actively participate in online Council meetings, held monthly throughout the fall, winter and spring and in the summer as needed
● Establish policies for and oversee:
– Submission of manuscripts and criteria for authorship/contributorship
– Distribution of manuscripts to appropriate Associate Editors for assignment of reviewers
– Processes for peer review, evaluation of decisions regarding publication, and methods for reconsideration of rejected manuscripts
– Conflict of interest and disclosure
– Handling any allegations and findings of scientific misbehavior, misconduct, and plagiarism
● Communicate publication guidelines and policies (e.g., Instructions for Authors, Instructions for Reviewers, ethical guidelines, and copyright agreements)
● Provide the NEBS Council, Editorial Board, publisher or archive hosts with reports, as requested, on the journal’s activities
● Receive, review, and act on complaints from those involved in the publication process
● Work with Council to develop and finalize the journal’s yearly budget
● Collaborate with NEBS staff and Council in negotiations with the journal’s printer (currently Sheridan Press) and online presence (currently JSTOR, BioOne, and Botanicus)
● Actively promote Rhodora at conferences, lectures, and via web presence and social media to increase subscribership, publicize important articles, and increase the journal’s impact factor

Education and Experience

● Legally authorized to work in the United States
● Demonstrate in-depth scientific knowledge of at least several of the fields covered in the journal through a solid record of peer-reviewed publication, peer review, and service on an editorial board
● Be skilled in the arts of writing, editing, critical assessment, negotiation, and diplomacy
● Possess excellent organizational skills
● Be conversant in new technologies for publishing and promoting academic journals, including online publication, website dissemination, open-access publication, and social media
● The successful applicant will be expected to become a member of NEBS if they are not already a member

Additional Information

New England Botanical Society is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. New England Botanical Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any basis prohibited by law.

Application Instructions

Please send a cover letter detailing your goals for Rhodora, a curriculum vitae listing previous relevant experience, and names and contact information for two references to director@nebotany.org.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with a preferred start date in fall 2023. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2023.