About in silico Plants
in silico Plants is an open-access journal focused on digital plant science, computational modeling, and AI-informed plant research.
Owned by the Annals of Botany Company and published by Oxford University Press, the journal launched in 2019 and is the youngest journal in the company's portfolio.
The Role
The Chief Editor will provide strategic leadership for in silico Plants, defining its scientific vision and overseeing its editorial direction and development.
The role carries full oversight of the journal's content and development, including editorial quality, board support, publication ethics, stakeholder relationships, and the journal's international profile within the plant science community.
The journal operates electronically, allowing the Chief Editor to be based anywhere in the world.
Key Responsibilities
Editorial Leadership & Strategy
- Establish and maintain a clear vision, mission, and scope for the journal.
- Sustain and enhance the journal's performance and reputation.
- Maintain high standards of quality, reliability, transparency, and fairness.
- Support and strengthen the Editorial Board.
- Solicit and encourage special issues, review articles, commentaries, and mini-reviews on topical subjects.
- Oversee the journal's content and development.
Editorial Governance & Ethics
- Take responsibility for the systematic processing of appeals and complaints.
- Adhere to the ethical standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
- Supervise the day-to-day operations of the journal through the Managing Editor.
- Work with the Managing Editor and publisher to ensure publications are delivered smoothly and accurately.
External Relations & Promotion
- Represent and promote the journal within the plant science community at external events and conferences.
- Communicate regularly with the journal's owners and publishers.
- Liaise with the Editors of Annals of Botany and AoB PLANTS, and the Editor of the Botany One weblog.
- Work with owners and publishers on website updates as necessary.
Qualifications
- Internationally recognized plant scientist with a strong academic or research profile.
- Postdoctoral qualification in plant biology or a relevant scientific field.
- Proven editorial experience is preferred.
- Current or recent appointment at a university or research institution.
- Strong commitment to research quality, transparency, fairness, and publication ethics.
Working Arrangement
- Part-time position.
- Time commitment nominally equivalent to 1 day per week.
- Remote and open to candidates worldwide.
- A dedicated Managing Editor will support day-to-day journal operations.
- Additional staffing may be considered as the journal grows.
- Local institutional support for the Chief Editor may also be considered.
Compensation
The terms of remuneration are flexible and may include:
- Personal payment.
- Institutional payment.
- Salary buy-out.
- Grant-aided post at the candidate's home institution.
Necessary travel expenses and agreed capital or recurring office expenses are also available.
Term
Initial term: 5 years, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement between the Chief Editor and the Company Trustees.
The current interim Chief Editor, Professor Christine Raines, will be available to provide advice during the transition period.
Application Process
Closing date: September 24, 2026
Applicants should apply with:
Informal enquiries: editor@insilicoplants.org
About the Annals of Botany Company
The Annals of Botany Company is an educational charity that has supported plant science for more than 100 years.
The Company publishes Annals of Botany, established in 1887, along with the open-access journals AoB PLANTS and in silico Plants. It also publishes the Botany One weblog, which features views and analysis of current research across plant biology and ecology.
The Company is committed to fairness and equality across its operations and states that individuals should not receive less or more favorable treatment based on protected or other specified personal characteristics.
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