Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Call for Editor-in-Chief
Springer Nature announces an opportunity for an exceptional candidate to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (AMBB).
The journal focuses on research regarding prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, relevant enzymes and proteins, and applied genetics and molecular biotechnology, and publishes research papers and mini reviews discussing the following topics: Biotechnological products and process engineering; biotechnologically relevant enzymes and proteins; bioenergy and biofuels; genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics; applied microbial and cell physiology; environmental biotechnology; and methods and protocols.
With a 2022 Impact Factor of 5.0 and more than 3,600,000 article downloads in 2023, the journal provides relevant and high-quality content to a global community of researchers in applied microbiology and biotechnology. As of January 2024, AMBB has become a fully Open Access (OA) journal. This means that the journal is only publishing articles as Open Access, meaning content is freely available to readers worldwide, enabling the widest possible dissemination and reuse.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology has been published by Springer since 1975, and its mission and vision were profoundly shaped by the AMBB’s most recent Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Alexander Steinbüchel, who served in this role for more than 25 years. As Prof. Steinbüchel will conclude his term of office in December 2024, Springer Nature is looking to recruit a successor who would start working in early autumn 2024 with a gradual handover of duties from the current editor and become fully installed as of January 2025.
The appointment will be for a three-year term and includes an annual editorial stipend. The position is open to highly regarded experts in applied microbiology with international recognition and proven scientific leadership in a renowned academic or research institution.
Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent degree and be able to demonstrate a strong research and publication record. Prior experience in peer-review activities and other editorial functions is highly desirable. We are searching for a motivated and enthusiastic scientist with a vision of growing and developing the journal to serve the scientific community even better.
Responsibilities include working alongside the Associate Editors to manage the peer review of manuscripts under consideration by the journal, closely collaborating with the publisher to select Editors and the Editorial Board, and commissioning submissions in areas of interest and scope. The Editor-in-Chief will work routinely with Springer Nature on journal development with the goal of furthering the journal’s impact and reach.
Responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief include:
● Working in consultation with the Journal Editors or other Editors that may be appointed, the Editor-in-Chief will exercise control of the editorial development and editorial content of the journal and oversees the application of high editorial standards to all published contributions.
● Supplying the Publisher with refereed and accepted manuscripts and other editorial material, prepared in accordance with the guidelines to authors.
● In consultation with Publisher, selecting Editors and an Editorial Board that provides both international representation and diverse expertise.
● Soliciting high quality reviews and other commissioned content on topics of interest.
● If they desire, to periodically select Guest Editors who shall be responsible for soliciting and acquiring manuscript for topical collections.
● To use their best efforts to promote and to assist the Publisher in promoting the journal at relevant meetings, online and within the appropriate scientific communities.
● Checking the content of the journal with a view to ensuring that there are no material infringing editorial policies. They will also promptly inform the Publisher of any resulting issues, and be available to discuss and support resulting issues.
● Supporting ongoing diversity and inclusion goals in helping to ensure the journal is reflective of the global community that it serves.
● Adhering to standards of editorial good practice, as defined in the Publisher’s Code of Conduct for Editors-in-Chief. The Code is based on guidelines and best practice recommendations issued by organizations such as the Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE).
● Participating in Springer Nature’s Transfer Service by offering the transfer option, where appropriate, to authors whose manuscripts have been rejected from the journal, and considering manuscripts received by through the Transfer Service.
● Participating in regular meetings with the Publisher as well as an Annual Editorial Board meeting, to discuss the ongoing development of the journal and to set and accomplish journal development goals.
Candidates should include the following documents with their formal application:
• Cover letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing their qualifications and motivation, including an explanation why they consider themselves suitable for the position.
• Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) including relevant publications and achievements.
• Vision statement (max. 3 pages) addressing the following points:
- Analysis of the current situation of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Vision and strategy for further enhancing the journal through editorial aspects
- Strategy on encouraging and building a supportive and inclusive culture based on the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Editorial Board.
All applications should be sent to Barbara Zöhrer, Senior Publisher, at barbara.zoehrer@springernature.com (this opens in a new tab) by 15 May 2024.