Academic Editors – Surgery and Surgical Specialties needed for PeerJ
Academic Editors - Surgery and Surgical Specialties required
Deadline 31 August 2026
About the role
PeerJ is seeking Academic Editors in the field of Surgery and Surgical Specialties.
We welcome applications from academics with a strong track record in this field of study.
This is an excellent opportunity for academics to contribute to the journal’s editorial vision, drive the growth of high-quality submissions, and champion PeerJ’s commitment to openness, transparency and excellence within the research community.
Candidates should have a proven record of at least 15 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, a minimum of two years of post-PhD or post-MD experience and an affiliation with a not-for-profit or academic institution.
In this role, you will:
- Make final editorial decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection of submitted manuscripts.
- Direct the peer-review process, ensuring rigorous, fair, transparent, and timely evaluations.
- Support PeerJ’s mission of openness, transparency, and collaboration in scientific publishing.
- Act as an ambassador for PeerJ by promoting the journal and encouraging high-quality submissions.
- Actively engage with your professional networks and represent the journal at key industry events and conferences.
- Provide expert insights on emerging trends to guide content strategy.
- Support the Publisher with specialist expertise on an ad hoc basis to ensure the journal maintains high standards of quality and scientific rigour.
- Uphold research integrity, addressing ethical issues in line with COPE guidelines.
- Act as the public face of the journal at international conferences and within the academic community.
Stepping into an editor role is a fulfilling journey that enables you to shape the future of your discipline. You will advance research in your field, expand your professional network, and be recognized as a leading figure in the community.
The role offers:
- One APC waiver in any PeerJ journal per year
- Free access to 100 articles on tandfonline.com
- 30% discount on books at routledge.com
- PeerJ Tokens for every submission handled
- Free Basic Membership
- Formal recognition on the journal’s Editorial Board page
Appointments will start in September 2026*
*An earlier start date will be considered for suitable candidates who apply promptly and indicate in their cover letter their willingness and availability to start earlier.
About the journal
PeerJ is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes high-quality research across medicine and health, biology and life sciences, environmental science, chemistry and materials science, and engineering and technology.
The journal is committed to maintaining scientific integrity while offering an affordable publishing model. PeerJ emphasises transparency in peer review and aims to make research widely accessible to the global scientific community. Please see the journal website for a full list of topics covered by the journal.
Key Skills and Attributes
Ready to apply? We’re seeking candidates who demonstrate:
Editorial Excellence
- Proven expertise in academic publishing, including synthesising reviewer reports and making sound editorial decisions.
- Recognized thought leadership and a strong professional reputation within your academic discipline.
- Expertise for attracting and commissioning high-quality submissions.
- Enthusiasm for the journal’s ongoing development.
Operational Proficiency
- Ability to commit time each week to the role and to participate in Editorial Board meetings and training as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to manage manuscripts professionally and engage proactively with staff to ensure rigorous, fair, transparent, and timely evaluations.
- Proficiency and confidence with online peer-review management systems.
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the open access publishing environment.
Communication and Integrity
- Experience collaborating effectively with independent peer reviewers.
- Consistently prompt, professional communication with authors and the editorial team throughout the peer-review process.
- Uncompromising ethical standards; knowledge of COPE guidelines and a commitment to always uphold them.
- Active growth of academic networks through conference participation and professional use of social media.
Application instructions
Applications should include your CV and Cover Letter.
Your Cover Letter should be no longer than 500 words - detailing any previous Editorial experience you may have had - and include how you would:
- Uphold the editorial vision and scope of the journal while maintaining high ethical standards and ensuring compliance with Editorial policies.
- Act as an ambassador for the journal at academic conferences, on social media, and within professional networks to promote the journal to potential authors, reviewers, and readers.
- Drive sustainable and timely high-quality submissions through commissioning and content development, in collaboration with the publisher.
- Oversee the peer review process for assigned manuscripts, including selecting appropriate reviewers when required.
- Provide expert advice on emerging trends and topics within the field if requested.
Early application is encouraged. For any questions, please contact PeerJ’s Editorial Community Manager, Lindsay Howell [email protected].
Apply for the role by filling in our formJournal pledge
The journal is committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion within its editorial team and decision making processes. All applications will be treated as strictly confidential, and each will be judged on its merits without bias for seniority of institutional affiliation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.
Did you know
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