As the highly successful term of current Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell is coming to an end, the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is seeking a prominent plant scientist to assume the duties and responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell, effective January 1, 2025. ASPB’s Editor Search Committee is charged with evaluating candidates for the position and invites members of the plant science community to participate in the process by nominating someone who they believe has the capacity to lead The Plant Cell into the future.
The Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell is responsible for driving the editorial direction of the journal in collaboration with the journal’s Editorial Board and serves as the figurehead of the journal. They are responsible for elevating the journal’s profile within the community and ensuring published content meets the editorial standards and policies of the journal, as stated in the journal’s aim and scope.
Key Functions of the Editor-in-Chief
- Working collaboratively with the Editors-in-Chief of Plant Physiology and Plant Direct, and ASPB journals staff
- Representing the journal at conferences and events
- Selecting and appointing qualified scientists to serve on the Editorial Board, and ensuring there is adequate subject, geographic, and diverse representation among the board
- Overseeing and providing guidance on disputed decisions, ethics concerns, and other editorial issues
The successful candidate will have a vision for the future of The Plant Cell and be eager to implement fresh ideas that drive the evolution of the journal.
Individuals interested in either applying for the position or nominating a qualified individual should send a letter of interest or nominee list by July 30, 2023 to publications@aspb.org. Those applicants and nominees deemed highly qualified by the Editor Search Committee will be invited to submit a CV, and, should they progress further in the search process, a comprehensive vision statement. At that point, applicants should ascertain that their institutions would permit them to assume the duties and responsibilities of this position should it be offered and accepted.
The Editor Search Committee will interview candidates in early fall 2023 and will present its recommendations to the ASPB Board of Directors in the late fall or early winter. The Board will announce the name of the new Editor-in-Chief early in 2024, which will allow an overlap period between present Editor-in-Chief Blake Meyers and his successor.