Job: Editor-in-Chief for Clays and Clay Minerals

The Clay Minerals Society (CMS) seeks a new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) for the society journal Clays and Clay Minerals (CCM). We invite applicants who are passionate about communicating research on clays, interested in attracting and publishing engaging manuscripts, and ready to direct the Managing Editor and Associate Editors (AEs). In addition to the day-to-day activities of review and publication for CCM, tasks of the EiC include reporting to the CMS Executive Committee and leading long-term strategies for CCM (such as defining the journal’s scope and identifying emerging topics). The EiC arranges regular meetings with the Managing Editor, the Publisher, and the AEs, provides reports to the CMS Executive Committee semi-annually and to the CMS Council annually, and serves as a voting member of the Executive Committee and as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Council.

The EiC is responsible for managing the review and editing of papers submitted to CCM, typically 100-200 manuscripts per year. This entails collecting, reviewing, assembling, and editing the technical publications with the assistance of the Managing Editor before submitting the manuscripts to the publisher. The EiC invites AEs to assist in the review process and makes the final decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of papers submitted for publication.

The initial EiC appointment is for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal. The EiC is expected to hold (or have held) a permanent academic or research position during (or prior to) the editorship, while devoting a percentage of their time to the EiC job. The position comes with a stipend of $40,000 – $50,000 per year.

Required qualifications: PhD with experience in clay science research, proficiency in English, and excellent written communication and management skills.

Desired qualifications: prior experience with a journal (e.g., AE, reviewer) and strong publication record.

Applicants should submit a cover letter (2 pages maximum) stating their motivation for applying for the position of Editor in Chief of Clays and Clay Minerals and a 2-page resume (e.g., education, experience, publications). Review of applications will begin mid-September and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should send their Cover Letter and Resume as a single pdf (4 pages maximum) to cms@clays.org. 

Additional details of the CCM Editor in Chief responsibilities:

A. Manage peer-review and publication of CCM papers

1. Following a technical check by Cambridge, the EiC reads each manuscript and decides if it is a suitable topic and text for the journal.
2. The EiC Invites AEs to handle the peer-review of potentially suitable manuscripts.
3. The EiC evaluates reports and recommendations from AEs and reviewers, renders a decision regarding each manuscript, and notifies authors, then provides further detailed comments to authors if the manuscript is not rejected.
4. The EiC reviews and polishes the English language of manuscripts recommended for acceptance and communicates these changes to authors for their approval before forwarding the manuscript to the publisher for final disposition.

B. Lead CCM Editorial Team

1. The EiC leads CMS efforts in defining the journal’s scope and identifying emerging topics.
2. The EiC supervises the work of the Managing Editor and AEs (who together with the EiC form the Editorial Board).
3. The EiC appoints and releases AEs as needed.
4. The EiC meets quarterly with the Managing Editor and the Publishing Editor.
5. The EiC convenes Editorial Board meetings semi-annually.
6. The EiC provides reports to the CMS Executive Committee semi-annually and to the Council annually.
7. The EiC serves as a voting member of the CMS Executive Committee and as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Council.