Historical Biology
Review Editors required
Deadline 10 August 2026
About the role
Historical Biology is seeking to appoint a Review Board to support the Associate Editors and Editor-in-Chief.
The Review Board role is a great opportunity for an early career academic with a strong research background in any of these areas, and who also has the commitment, drive, and ability to help develop the journal and its content. This is great role for anyone wishing to gain their first editorial experience.
The central tenet of this role will be to provide reviews, within your area of expertise, at the occasional request of the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors of the Board.
In addition to this, in this role, you will:
- Provide strategic advice to the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher on emerging research trends and journal scope.
- Actively promote the journal within your professional networks and represent the title at key events and conferences.
- Support content growth by occasionally submitting your own high-quality work or encouraging colleagues to submit.
- Collaborate on special projects, such as suggesting topics or guest editors for high-impact Special Issues and article collections.
- Participate in annual Editorial Board meetings to discuss performance metrics, indexing, and plans for the journal’s long-term development.
Joining an Editorial Board is a rewarding journey that enables you to influence the future of your field. You will advance the latest research in your discipline, expand your professional network, and be recognized as a leading figure in the community. Review Board members who fulfil the role well will have the opportunity to be promoted to Associate Editor when vacancies arise.
The appointment will start by the beginning of August 2026.
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:
Strategic Vision & Advocacy
- A proven track record as an established or emerging leader within your academic discipline.
- Enthusiasm for the journal’s growth and long-term evolution.
- Active engagement in expanding academic networks through conferences and professional social media presence.
Operational Commitment
- The capacity to devote time throughout the year to the role and participate in review activities Editorial Board meetings and training as required.
- Proactive engagement with Taylor & Francis staff to help implement processes and drive journal improvements.
Integrity & Excellence
- Uncompromising ethical standards and a commitment to always upholding them.
- A commitment to acting as a high-level ambassador for the journal within the wider research community.
Application instructions
Applications should include your CV and a Cover Letter.
Your Cover Letter should be no longer than 500 words and include how you would:
- Act as a peer reviewer and provide constructive feedback.
- Attend Editorial Board meetings and advise the Associate and Specialist Editors on matters such as journal direction, policies, and strategy.
- Suggest potential Guest Advisors or Guest Editors or contributors for article collections or themed issues.
- Promote the journal to potential authors, reviewers, and readers within their professional networks.
- Help to enhance the journal’s reputation and impact in its field.
Early application is encouraged. For any questions, please contact the Senior Publisher, Dr 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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