Deputy Editor for Clinical Radiology role description

Published monthly, the journal boasts an international readership and excellent reputation. It is a highly valued member benefit, underpinning research and education for our Faculty of Clinical Radiology. Editorial independence and a large team of expert editors and reviewers ensures high-quality research, which is not only a key member benefit to RCR members, but also of value to the world.  

The Deputy Editor will join the senior editors (the Editor-in-Chief and the other Deputy Editors) in overseeing the strategic direction of the journal. In the role, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest quality of peer review, overseeing a team of skilled editors and reviewers, and building on the journal's reputation and impact factor.   

Applications should be sent to [email protected]. Interviews will be conducted by a panel appointed by the Editor-in-Chief.  

Formerly the Journal of the Faculty of Radiologists, Clinical Radiology has been published since 1960 and now boasts an impact factor of 2.1. Published 12 times a year, Clinical Radiology features original research, editorials and review articles on all aspects of diagnostic imaging, with papers on radiological protection, quality assurance, audit in radiology and matters relating to radiological training and education also included. 

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 radiologists 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 a 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 always met.  
• 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 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.   

The full Terms of Reference for the Editorial Advisory Groups are set out here. 

We would like to emphasise that you need not have been a Deputy Editor previously, and that this role is open to candidates with a range of journal experience, from Assistant Editor level upwards. 

We would be particularly happy to receive applications from groups that are under-represented in clinical radiology and/or scientific journal editing. An awareness of the emerging areas of interest in both radiology and scientific journal publishing generally would be an advantage.  

The RCR is committed to equality and diversity; we welcome applications from all and will 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 scientific journal. 
• Earn CPD points. 
• Direct travel expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed. 

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 Journals Board. 

Meetings of the Clinical Radiology Editorial Advisory Group are set by the Editor-in-Chief but must take place at least twice a year. The RCR will organise up to two of these meetings each year. 

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 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. 

The Publisher: 

Clinical Radiology 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 Radiology’s sibling journals below: 

Clinical Oncology 

RCR Open 

If you would like to join Clinical Radiology as a 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 [email protected]. Interviews will be conducted by a panel appointed by the Editor-in-Chief.