Role Description
The Surgeon, an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing surgical practice, education, and clinical excellence, invites applications for the position of Editor.
Published by Elsevier on behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, The Surgeon provides a global platform for high-quality clinical research, systematic reviews, guidelines, and commentary across the breadth of surgical specialties. The Journal is committed to promoting evidence-based practice, improving patient outcomes, and supporting the professional development of surgeons worldwide.
We seek an exceptional surgical leader with a distinguished academic record, substantial editorial experience, and a clear vision for developing the Journal in alignment with evolving international publishing standards and innovation in scholarly communication.
Strategic Leadership and Responsibilities
The Editor will:
- Define and implement a forward-looking editorial strategy aligned with the mission of the Royal Colleges and the publishing strategy of Elsevier
- Uphold the highest standards of scientific rigor, transparency, and publication ethics, consistent with best practice in research
- Champion open science principles, including data transparency, reporting standards, and responsible research assessment
- Oversee a fair, efficient, and timely peer-review process, leveraging digital tools and editorial analytics to optimise performance
- Develop initiatives to enhance international submissions, multidisciplinary collaboration, and diversity within authorship and editorial leadership
- Engage actively with innovations in digital publishing, including enhanced article formats, multimedia content, social media engagement, and emerging AI-enabled editorial tools
- Work closely with the Publisher to monitor journal performance metrics and support sustainable growth models, including hybrid and open access pathways
- Recruit, mentor, and support Editorial Board members, and reviewers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive editorial culture
Essential Qualifications
- Internationally recognised academic and clinical expertise in surgery
- Strong and sustained record of peer-reviewed publication and scholarly leadership
- Significant prior editorial experience (e.g. Editor, Associate Editor, or equivalent senior role)
- Demonstrated understanding of contemporary scholarly publishing, including open access models, research metrics, digital dissemination, and research integrity frameworks
- Strategic thinking combined with strong organisational and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with professional bodies and a global publishing partner
Term and Support
The Editor will serve an initial three-year term, renewable by agreement. The role is supported by a dedicated publishing and editorial team at Elsevier, including production, marketing, and analytics expertise.
The Editor will be invited to liaise regularly with representatives from RCSEd and RCSI.
Application Process
Applicants should submit the following in a single PDF:
- A cover letter outlining their strategic vision for The Surgeon, including alignment with open science and digital innovation
- A full curriculum vitae
- A summary of prior editorial and leadership experience
- Contact details of three referees
Recruitment Timeline
Applications should be sent to the Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Mariette Naud-Betteridge at m.naud-betteridge@rcsed.ac.uk before Friday 27 March 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on Tuesday 14 April (likely to be held virtually), with the anticipated start date shortly thereafter.