How can I apply to become an editorial board member? (Associate Editor, Section Editor)

Each JMIR Publications journal was created to fill a critical unmet need for high-quality, open access science focused on providing vetted, rigorous research that addresses large and local problems at the intersections of each respective scope and digital health.

Consider joining our growing team of international experts who assess and handle the review process for manuscripts within their area(s) of expertise. 

To submit an application, skip to How to apply.

• If you are interested in a role as an Associate Editor or Section Editor (making editorial decisions on papers reviewed by peer reviewers) for a JMIR Publications journal, please proceed to review the sections below. Note: Section Editors perform the same functions as Associate Editors, however, they may only handle manuscripts specific to a topic-based section of the journal.
• If you are looking to submit a Theme Issue proposal (i.e., serve as a Guest Editor): Please visit the following links for more information: How to guest edit a theme issue and How to suggest a theme issue. Please note that you would be requested to submit a full Editor application after initial review of your theme issue proposal.
• If you are looking to apply for any other Editorial Board roles, please note that in 2023, we will also be recruiting for additional positions such as Advisors, Student Editors, and/or Acquisition Editors for various journals. We encourage you to still review the information below and submit an application for review and respond at a later time when the roles are announced.

Main Tasks of Editorial Board Members

Currently, the main Editorial Board member role vacancies include Editors-in-Chief and Associate or Section Editors. Additional positions will become available in 2023. 

Editorial Board (EB) Members

The main tasks of all Editorial Board (EB) members include:

1. General advocacy for publishing high-quality work in JMIR Publications journals and acquiring authors
2. Strategic and operational advice (unsolicited, as well as in editorial board meetings)
3. Guiding papers (as Section Editor) in the editorial board member’s area of expertise through the peer-review process and communicating with authors (optional, i.e., not all EB members or guest editors may have a hands-on role. EB members decide themselves how many papers they want to take on)

Role of the Editor-in-Chief (EIC)

Editors-in-Chief (EICs) of JMIR journals are appointed by the Publisher. EICs have distinct responsibilities apart from those listed above. Specifically, an EIC also: 

• Serves as a strategic leader of the journal, which may include and not be limited only to development of the journal's scope/focus;
• Recruits or identifies for recruitment a diverse of experts to the Editorial Board;
• Adjudicates and advises on issues that may arise in relation to specific manuscripts, authors, peer reviewers, and/or EB members;
• Sets or refines, in collaboration with their EB;  — journal-specific policies, such as the scope, sections, article types
• Handles manuscripts and also also identifies appropriate EB members to handle manuscripts; 
• Chairs EB meetings (virtual meetings);
• Identifies high-quality and rigorous scientific work from authors for the journal for peer review and publication; 
• Assists in identifying leading edge theme issues for the journal; 
• Publishes editorials commenting on significant trends and works in scope for the journal;
• Serves as an advocate for the journal, e.g., during conferences, on social media, and elsewhere. 

Applicant Criteria

For most JMIR Publications journals, we are continuously accepting applications from senior researchers to join the Editorial Board. Generally, although not exclusively, for most journals, the applicant should meet most of the criteria listed below. Applicants:

• hold a doctoral level degree (e.g., PhD, MD, EdD, PharmD, etc), an engineering degree, or equivalent;
• have a publication track record (h-index) in one's field;
• have academic editing experience or experience serving as a guest editor on a journal theme issue (any journal);
• adhere to (comply with) ethical practices in scientific publishing;
• have experience as an author or peer reviewer for JMIR journals, which is preferred but not required. If applicants do not yet have such experience with JMIR Publications, we encourage you to get started by setting up a user account and profile. 
  • How to become an author at JMIR
  • How can I become a peer-reviewer and what are the qualifications required? 

If an applicant does not fulfill these criteria (yet), applying to serve as a Guest Editor for a theme issue is possible. Typically, in such a case, a theme issue proposal should be first submitted for review. This is a great first step to gain experience as editor (see How to guest edit a theme issue and How to suggest a theme issue).

Early career scientists may apply at an earlier stage of career. Some journals may offer positions suitable for those early in their careers. These positions will become available in 2023. 

How to Apply 

Step 1: Read our EB policy by following the "Editorial Board Policy" link in the footer of each JMIR journal or via the Publishing Policies menu on the journal page (For example: Editorial Board Policy for the Journal of Medical Internet Research or Editorial Board Policy for JMIR Medical Informatics. Each journal adheres to a similar Editorial Board policy. The applicant should navigate to the Editorial Board Policy page for the relevant journal(s) to which they are applying.)

Step 2: If you meet the requirements in our policy,

The journal's Managing Editor will be in contact regarding next steps after review of your application. Please note that submitting an updated curriculum vitae that includes highlights of current and past editorial experience is strongly advised to expedite application review. 

• Note that when submitting an application, the applicant may serve as an ad hoc Section Editor for more than one JMIR Publications journal (e.g., handle papers for other journals that may also have sections that match the applicant's expertise). However, an applicant can only apply to one primary journal Editorial Board. 

Honorarium

Benefits and/or honoraria are determined based upon the role to which a candidate applies. Work as an Associate or Section Editor or as an Advisor (future role) is honorary, although there are benefits available for EB members. See the One-page overview of the responsibilities of an Associate Editor.

Related Links

• One-page overview of the responsibilities of an Associate Editor.
• Karma Credits - What are they and how to collect them?
• I love JMIR journals - how can I become involved?
• How to guest edit a theme issue
• How to suggest a theme issue

General Resources for Editors / EB members

• Role of an Editor (Scopus)
• COPE Guidelines
• Short Guide for Ethical Editing (COPE)