Chief Editor

editorial direction during a period of significant discipline growth. Key responsibilities include curating high-quality research, leading an international editorial board, and expanding the journal's influence across the global scientific community.

Key tasks: The Chief Editor is charged with full oversight of the journal’s content and development and is expected to:

• Commit to a clear vision, mission and scope of the journal.
• Sustain and enhance the performance and reputation of the journal and maintain high standards of quality, reliability, transparency and fairness.
• Support and strengthen the journal’s Editorial Board.
• Take responsibility for the systematic processing of appeals and complaints.
• Work with the owners and publishers on website updates as necessary.
• Liaise with the publisher and managing editor to ensure the smooth and accurate delivery of publications.
• Adhere to the ethical standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
• Supervise the day-to-day operations of the journal through a Managing Editor.
• Solicit and encourage special issues, review articles, commentaries and mini-reviews on subjects of topical interest.
• Represent and promote the journal among the plant science community at external events and conferences.
• Communicate effectively, and meet regularly, with the owners and publishers, and liaise with Editors of the two sister journals, Annals of Botany and AoB PLANTS, and Editor of the weblog Botany One.

Qualifications and general terms: The new Chief Editor will be a plant scientist of high international standing and preferably with proven editorial experience. The journal’s operations are conducted electronically, so they may be located anywhere in the world. In addition:

• The position is part-time, with time devoted to the journal nominally set at one day per week or the net equivalent.
• The successful candidate holds, or has recently held, an appointment at a university or research institution.
• The terms of remuneration are flexible and may involve personal payment, institutional payment, a salary buy-out, or a grant-aided post at a home institution.
• Necessary travel expenses and agreed capital or recurring office expenses are available.
• The initial term of the post is five years, which may be extended by mutual agreement between the Chief Editor and the Company Trustees.
• A dedicated Managing Editor will assist the Chief Editor in the day-to-day running of the journal, and as the journal grows, more staffing may be necessary.
• Local support at the Chief Editor’s institution may also be considered.
• The current interim Chief Editor, Professor Christine Raines, will be available for advice during the transition period.
• Informal enquiries may be made to editor@insilicoplants.org

Qualification: Postdoctoral in plant biology or a relevant scientific field

Duration:5 years, renewable

Closing date: September 24, 2026

Apply with CV and Cover Letter

in silico Plants is owned outright by the Annals of Botany Company and is published by Oxford University Press.

More about the Annals of Botany Company:

The Annals of Botany Company is an educational charity that has been supporting plant science for over 100 years. We publish Annals of Botany(started in 1887) and the open-access journals AoB PLANTS and in silico Plants*.* These international journals cover all aspects of plant biology, publishing peer-reviewed research articles, reviews and comments on the widest range of botanical subjects. We also publish the weblog Botany One, which carries lively views and analysis of current research findings from all of plant biology and ecology.

The Company is committed to fairness and equality across all operations. We ensure that no individual, whether serving at any level within our organization or engaging with our services, receives less or more favorable treatment on the grounds of age, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, part-time working status, pregnancy and maternity, political opinion, or trade union involvement.