Appointment of Assistant Editors

Abstract

The process for appointing Addiction's new Assistant Editors (AEs) is intended to be flexible, fair and to ensure that it results in staff working with the journal who are committed and can carry the confidence of authors and readers. Most such people will have attained at least Assistant Professor (Senior Lecturer) rank and hold a doctorate. They will have sufficient experience in the field to help assess credibly the work of their peers—credibility is essential if Addiction is to retain the trust of those who submit for review. Competence is likely to be illustrated by a publication list and by previous experience as referee with leading journals. Integrity and fair-mindedness are also indispensable qualifications for such a position. From time to time the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) or a Regional Editor (RE) may identify a need for one or more new AEs, either as a result of retirements or the volume of submissions in a particular subject area exceeding current capacity. The EIC and REs will then make an approach. The standards for recruitment are high and we hope that people do not feel hurt if sometimes we have to suggest that the candidate's career has not yet progressed to the point where an AE appointment is appropriate. Candidates will be asked to supply their CVs. Once these have been received the EIC and REs will make a decision whether to appoint the candidate and the EIC will issue a formal invitation. Occasionally, researchers offer their services spontaneously as an AE. Such approaches are considered carefully and if anyone reading this note would like to be considered, please send in a CV to Patricia Davis at Addiction, National Addiction Centre, 4 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8AF, UK, p.davis@iop.kcl.ac.uk and you may be sure of an interested and friendly response. Appointments will be made for 3 years in the first instance.