Chief Editor Peer J Computer Science

Taylor & Francis

EditorialFull Time
Location
Abingdon On Thames, UK
Posted
July 17, 2026

Job Description

Role overview

The Chief Editor for PeerJ Computer Science is instrumental in driving the journal's success and growth through strategic external engagement and initiatives aimed at enhancing its reputation and impact within the scientific community. This role focuses on cultivating robust relationships with external stakeholders, representing PeerJ at significant events, and fostering collaborations that align with the journal's mission and audience expectations. The Chief Editor will also be responsible for overseeing editorial operations, upholding scientific integrity, and shaping publication policies to adapt to emerging trends and community needs.

Strategic Leadership

  • Define and implement PeerJ's strategic editorial vision in collaboration with the publishing team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the needs of the scientific community.
  • Maintain strong connections to external stakeholders, including the journal’s Editorial Board, key funding bodies, and author communities, to ensure the journal meets the needs of its constituencies.
  • Develop innovative strategies to enhance PeerJ’s visibility, reputation, and impact globally.
  • Establish editorial priorities and content strategies that reflect emerging research trends and disciplinary developments.
  • Monitor significant trends in research areas within PeerJ’s scope and execute plans to ensure the journal is at the forefront of scientific discovery.
  • Gather editorial intelligence via attending conferences, conducting focus groups, holding individual meetings with Editorial Board members, etc., to ensure a complete and current understanding of researcher priorities and pain points.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to shape the future direction of PeerJ's open access publishing model.
  • Lead and mentor a team of editors and senior editors, ensuring alignment with external engagement goals.

Editorial Excellence

  • Oversee the scientific quality and editorial integrity of all published content.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with Editors, Editorial Board members, and reviewers, including organizing in-person meetings and editorial board events to foster engagement.
  • Manage recruitment and training of new Editorial Board Members (EBMs) to ensure subject matter expertise.
  • Implement rigorous peer review processes that uphold the highest standards of scientific validity and reproducibility.
  • Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, EBMs, and readers, including direct communication with authors and external stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement of editorial workflows and decision-making processes.
  • Ensure adherence to publication ethics and best practices in scientific publishing.

Community Engagement

  • Represent PeerJ at high-profile scientific conferences, meetings, and industry events to promote the journal and its mission.
  • Build and nurture relationships with key opinion leaders, research institutions, and funding organizations to expand PeerJ’s reach.
  • Actively engage with the scientific community to understand evolving needs and incorporate feedback into editorial policies.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with scientific societies, research organizations, and other external entities to enhance PeerJ’s visibility and impact.
  • Serve as the public face of PeerJ, advocating for its open access publishing model and fostering trust within the scientific community.

Operational Management

  • Assist in the daily management of the journal workflow, ensuring rapid and constructive peer-review and publication decisions, acting as handling editor on manuscripts as required.
  • Monitor key performance indicators related to submissions, acceptance rates, time-to-decision, and citation metrics, with a focus on external impact.
  • Support the implementation of innovative technologies and tools to improve editorial efficiency and manuscript handling.

Team Development

  • Recruit, mentor, and retain a diverse and high-performing editorial team that prioritizes external engagement.
  • Work with internal colleagues to expand PeerJ’s Editorial Board, ensuring comprehensive subject matter expertise and external representation.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to PeerJ’s external Editors and Editorial Board members, fostering collaboration and innovation.
  • Create a culture of editorial excellence that encourages external partnerships and community-driven initiatives.

Knowledge and Experience

  • PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant scientific discipline preferred.
  • Significant experience in scientific publishing, with a key number of years in senior editorial roles.
  • Demonstrated track record of editorial leadership and strategic vision.
  • Extensive knowledge of open access publishing models and trends in scientific communication.
  • Strong understanding of publication ethics and industry best practices.

Key Competencies

  • Strategic vision and ability to translate vision into actionable editorial strategies.
  • Excellent scientific judgment and broad understanding of interdisciplinary research.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders in the scientific community.
  • Excellent English comprehension and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Exceptional analytical skills and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
  • Demonstrated commitment to open science principles and practices.
  • Impeccable scientific and professional integrity.
  • Forward-thinking mindset with openness to innovation.
  • Commercial acumen and a drive for results.
  • Collaborative approach to leadership and problem-solving.
  • Passion for advancing scientific communication and open access publishing.
  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific publishing.

Working arrangements and requirements

  • Candidates must live within a commutable distance of our office in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, to facilitate collaboration as a balanced worker, with an expectation of a minimum of 3 days per week in-person.
  • The Milton Park office will relocate to Oxford city centre in late 2027 / early 2028.
  • You must have the right to work and live in the United Kingdom.

Compensation and Benefits

  • An excellent work/life balance and flexible working culture.
  • 25 days annual leave per year plus an extra day off each year for your birthday.
  • 3 additional discretionary days off during the holiday season at the end of the year.
  • 4 paid volunteering days each year.
  • Company-funded single cover private medical insurance.
  • Employee assistance programme – offering 24/7 well-being support.
  • Informa Anywhere - up to four weeks per year working from any location.
  • Share Match - Plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares.
  • Pension scheme.
  • Life assurance, plus optical and medical care options.

Taylor & Francis is committed to fostering human progress through knowledge. We encourage applications from candidates who are excited about this mission, even if their existing skills and experience do not perfectly match every item listed. We are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and make a contribution regardless of their identity or background. You will have the opportunity to further innovate and develop in areas that you are passionate about, with resources, incentives, and flexibility to support success and a healthy, balanced life. Taylor & Francis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, valuing diversity of people and thought, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. We recruit, develop, and retain colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit-based factors.