Journal of Medical Ethics – Editor-in-Chief Vacancy
BMJ is looking for an ambitious and dynamic Editor-in-Chief to lead Journal of Medical Ethics, the leading international journal in its field co-owned by the Institute of Medical Ethics and BMJ Group. The candidate should be an active researcher in a relevant field. Specialists in any field of medical ethics are welcome to apply. The Editor-in-Chief will act as an ambassador for the journal and a champion for medical ethics, upholding ethical standards and editorial policies, as well as actively promoting and developing the journal. They will be able to utilise their extensive international network of contacts to target areas of growth in medical ethics research and introduce new types of content or emerging subject areas to the journal.
Applicants should have a PhD (or similar qualification) and should be able to demonstrate their status and impact in the field. The ideal candidate(s) will have editorial experience handling manuscripts, critical appraisal skills, a commitment to academic excellence, and strong leadership and interpersonal qualities.
We welcome joint applications and applications from anywhere in the world. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to assemble a senior team of deputy/associate editors to ensure the journal can cover the breadth of medical ethics issues.
This is an independent contractor position and the proposed term of office is five years. The Editor has responsibility for implementing the editorial strategy and accountability for the content of the journal, with support from their appointed editorial team, BMJ and IME.
Editorial training and technical support will be provided, together with strategic guidance. An annual honorarium and other benefits are provided, as well as experienced editorial office support. The time commitment is estimated at the equivalent of two days per week, but will depend on the structure and size of the editorial team.
Main responsibilities
The Editor-in-Chief will be responsible for all content published in the journal, and will:
● Provide high quality and engaging content for a broad audience
● Lead a diverse and supportive team of highly qualified international colleagues to serve as
members of the editorial team
● Maintain and ensure the integrity of the peer review process and publishing ethics, providing
guidance to authors and reviewers as appropriate
● Implement effective triage and peer review of articles, working closely with the editorial
team to ensure timely responses to authors
● Collaborate closely with the editor of companion journal JME Practical Bioethics to ensure
the success of both journals.
● Supervise the journal’s response to appeals, complaints, suggestions from readers and
ethical queries regarding published work
● Add value by commissioning editorials, reviews and online content, and seeking
opportunities to publish themed issues and supplements
● Build and maintain collaborative relationships with affiliated organisations and events to
advance the journal’s international reputation and profile
About Journal of Medical Ethics
Journal of Medical Ethics is a leading international journal that reflects the whole field of medical ethics. The journal seeks to promote ethical reflection and conduct in medical practice and scientific research. It features articles on various ethical aspects of health care relevant to health care professionals, members of clinical ethics committees, medical ethics professionals, researchers and bioscientists, policy makers and patients. It has a Journal Impact Factor of 3.3.
Being an Editor with BMJ Group
As Editor of Journal of Medical Ethics you will benefit from:
● The chance to shape the field and play a role in the development of the specialty
● An annual honorarium
● Networking events, in-person and virtual, with other journal editors
● Training and support
● Opportunities to interact with humanities researchers around the world
Application process
To be considered for the role, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience, along with an analysis of the journal (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats). Applications and any queries regarding the role should be sent to Alice Shuttleworth, Publisher, at ashuttleworth@bmj.com. Interviews will be held via video conference.
Application deadline: 28 February 2025
Start date: June 2025