Vacancy - Deputy Editor for Clinical Oncology

Clinical Oncology has been published continually since 1989, and now boasts an impact factor of 4.925. Published 12 times a year, Clinical Oncology features a combination of high-quality original research, informative editorials and state-of-the-art reviews on all aspects of the clinical management of cancer patients including pathology, diagnosis and (radio)therapy, and systemic treatment. 

In this role, you will be joining a dynamic, passionate and expert team based across the UK and around the globe. As a senior member of the editorial board, you will have the opportunity to help appoint and lead the editorial board and reviewer team; take responsibility for shaping the journal’s future direction, including its editorials, special issues, promotional strategy and production processes; and ensure the journal content is relevant to clinical oncologists and meets the ethical and scientific standard for publication. You will develop your CV, expand your professional network and contribute to the public good.  

What you will be working on as Deputy Editor 

• You will assist the Editor-in-Chief in publishing a high-quality, high-impact and readable journal. 

• You will commission new material, including original research, review articles, commentaries, editorials and special issues. 

• You will review and shape the journal’s editorial processes, including those for manuscript evaluation and peer review. 

• You will help to determine the journal’s ethical standards and ensure these are met at all times. 

• You will work with the Editor-in-Chief to determine the journal’s long-term strategy and work towards achieving agreed strategic goals. 

• You will recruit and retain a large and international pool of editors and reviewers. 

• You will deputise for the Editor-in-Chief as and when may be necessary. 

• You will review submitted manuscripts, assessing them for relevance and quality and working with reviewers to ensure worthwhile papers are retained to final publication. 

• You will have the opportunity to lead on projects relating to the journal that are reasonable and necessary for improving its reputation and performance.  

Full responsibilities for the Deputy Editor are set out in the Terms of Reference for the Editorial Board. 

We would like to emphasise that this role is open to candidates with a range of experience, from assistant editor level upwards. Though some experience working as an editor on a relevant journal is required, you need not have been a Deputy Editor previously. We would be particularly happy to receive applications from early career clinicians, as well as those from groups that are under-represented in clinical oncology and/or academic journal editing. 

An awareness of the emerging areas of interest in both oncology and scientific journal publishing generally would be an advantage.  

The RCR is committed to equality and diversity; we welcome applications from all and intend to never discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marriage/civil partnership, sex, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or sexual orientation.  

You must be a Fellow of the RCR, resident in the United Kingdom at time of application and hold a current license to practise medicine. 

At the RCR, we value people. We recognise that a team is only as effective as the people it contains, and that the more diverse our experiences and expertise, the more effective our team will be. We are committed to treating everybody with respect and we value openness, honesty and transparency. We keep one eye on patients with everything we do, supporting our members to deliver the best possible care. Our journals are an important link in that chain, publishing the latest research that may one day contribute to the next advancement in diagnostics or treatment. If this sounds like you, we would love to have the opportunity to review your application.  

The Deputy Editor role is voluntary, as with all our editorial roles. The journals’ successes would be impossible if not for the team of editors and reviewers who produce them. Getting involved with the journals offers a wide range of benefits:  

• Learning and developing useful skills for your CV, including leadership, editing, project management and more  

• Broadening your professional network, meeting the leading experts from your specialty and beyond  

• Keeping abreast of the latest research in your field  

• The opportunity to shape the content and future course of a new academic journal  

• Earn CPD points  

• Direct travel expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed 

If you are passionate about publishing and research, then this is the role for you. It offers the responsibility of a senior editorial position, allowing you to hone your skills and develop new ones. 

Time Commitment 

• The role is for four years from the date of appointment. There will be the option to extend after this time by mutual agreement.  

• You will be responsible to the Editor-in-Chief, who in turn reports to the Faculty Board for Clinical Oncology. 

• The Editorial Board will usually meet twice a year, with two additional strategy meetings.  

• A considerable time commitment will be required in this role. You will need to ensure you can balance it with your other professional duties and your personal time. It is recommended that you seek the approval of your trust/health board before undertaking the role of Editor-in-Chief.  

• The use of electronic manuscript management means this time can be spread across the week and undertaken at any site. Many meetings relevant to the journal will be held remotely. 

Working with the RCR 

• You will be supported by the Marketing and Digital team at the RCR. RCR website support is undertaken by the Directorate of Communications at the RCR and administrative support is provided where necessary.  

• The RCR recognises the necessity for editorial independence, as well as the need for communication with the Faculty of Clinical Oncology, to promote the proper operation of the Journal. The RCR will ensure that there is always an open channel of communication between the Editor and the RCR.  

• You will attend in person at least one meeting of the Clinical Oncology Faculty Board meetings each year to report on your progress.  

The Publisher 

• Clinical Oncology is published by Elsevier Limited, under a contract with the RCR. The Publisher of the Journal helps support its strategic development in partnership with the RCR and is responsible for the presentation, positioning in relation to other products or services, production and fulfilment of the Journal. 

• You can read more about Clinical Oncology’s sibling journals here: Clinical Radiology and RCR Open. 

If you would like to join Clinical Oncology as Deputy Editor, please send us a copy of your latest CV along with a cover letter (no longer than two pages of A4) outlining why you would excel in the role.  

Applications should be sent to publications@rcr.ac.uk. Interviews will be conducted by a panel appointed by the Editor-in-Chief.