Historical Biology
Associate Editor required
Deadline 07 August 2026
About the role
Historical Biology is seeking Associate Editors with a strong track record in with expertise in insects and other arthropods, as well as molluscs and conodonts.
This is an excellent opportunity for hands-on subject matter experts who want to shape the literature of their discipline. In this active, operational role, you will oversee the peer-review pipeline for your specialty, ensure high scholarly standards, and collaborate with the leadership team to drive the journal's growth.
In this role, you will:
- Manage the peer-review process for manuscripts within your field of expertise, utilizing the journal’s submission system.
- Identify, recruit, and secure qualified peer reviewers to ensure timely, robust, and constructive evaluations.
- Assess reviewer feedback and deliver clear editorial recommendations (Accept, Revise, Reject) to the Editor-in-Chief.
- Uphold research integrity and publishing ethics, ensuring all handled manuscripts adhere to COPE guidelines.
- Proactively commission high-impact content, including inviting submissions, proposing Special Issues, or developing article collections.
- Actively promote the journal within your professional networks and represent the title at key events and conferences.
- Participate in regular Editorial Board meetings to discuss journal performance, pipeline metrics, and long-term strategy.
Stepping into a supporting editor role is a rewarding journey that enables you to influence the future of your field. You will gain deep insights into the publishing process, expand your global professional network, and be recognized as a leading figure in the community.
The appointment will start in July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
About the journal
Historical Biology is an international peer reviewed journal publishing papers covering evolutionary and systematic biology through time. The Journal is not limited by taxonomic group, publishing papers from human origins to the palaeobiology of the gigantic shark megalodon, to the latest developments in palaeobotany. The Journal accepts manuscripts on novel, theoretical, philosophical, and/or controversial topics, but also accepts so-called ‘negative results’ – as it is as important for the international community to know what does not work as what does. The range of subjects the Journal covers includes:
- descriptive and comparative anatomy,
- taxonomy, systematics, and nomenclature,
- philosophy of biology (and topics related to deep time perspectives),
- descriptions of new datasets and methods,
- phylogenetic, comparative, and multivariate statistical analyses,
- palaeobiology (including biomechanics, histology, system biology CT reconstructions),
- palaeobiogeography,
- evolutionary patterns and processes,
- molecular palaeontology,
- taphonomy.
Key Skills and Attributes
Ready to apply? We’re seeking candidates who demonstrate:
Editorial Excellence & Leadership
- Proven experience in academic publishing across the full editorial lifecycle.
- Skill in reading, synthesising, and making sound editorial decisions based on reviewer reports.
- Willingness to lead and energise the Editorial Board, including organising and chairing meetings.
- Recognised thought leadership and a strong professional reputation within your academic discipline.
- Expertise for attracting and commissioning high-impact submissions.
- A clear vision and 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.
- A track record of managing submitted manuscripts promptly, consistently, and professionally.
- Proficiency with online peer-review management systems, with the confidence to guide and support the editorial team in their use.
- Proactive engagement with Taylor & Francis staff and suppliers to implement processes and drive improvements.
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the open access publishing environment.
Integrity & Excellence
- Experience collaborating effectively with independent peer reviewers.
- Consistently prompt, professional communication with authors 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
- Oversee the peer review process for assigned manuscripts, including selecting appropriate reviewers.
- Make recommendations for manuscript acceptance or revision.
- Assist in the development of themed issues and collections.
- Provide expert advice on emerging trends and topics within the field.
- Attend Editorial Board meetings and support the journal with development strategies.
For any questions or the role profile, please contact Matthew Warke, [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.
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