Senior Clinical Research Editor

British Veterinary Association; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 10,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading veterinary organization is seeking a senior clinical research editor for its journal, Veterinary Record. Responsibilities include overseeing peer review and setting editorial standards. Candidates should have a veterinary degree and a strong research background. This independent contractor role offers an annual honorarium and training, with international applicants welcome. Applications are due by October 6, 2025.

Benefits

Annual honorarium of £10,000

Training and support

Free subscription to Veterinary Record

Qualifications

• Active in veterinary research.
• Experience of working in clinical practice is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the peer-review process for research submissions.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards.
• Encourage submission of high-quality papers.
• Collaborate on editorial policies and standards.

Skills

Veterinary degree

Established record as a researcher

Experience in editorial role

High standard of written English

Network for encouraging submissions

Education

Veterinary degree

Job description

Overview

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is seeking a senior clinical research editor for its flagship journal – Veterinary Record. The successful candidate will oversee the peer review process for research submitted to Veterinary Record, solicit high quality submissions and act as an ambassador for the journal. They will also work with the in-house editorial team and wider editorial board to establish the strategic direction of the research section and set editorial policies and standards.

Candidates from any branch of veterinary medicine are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a veterinary degree, an established record as a researcher and experience of working in an editorial role for an academic journal. The ideal candidate will be currently active in veterinary research and have some experience of working in clinical practice.

Applicants need not be based in the UK and international applicants are encouraged, and RCVS registration is not required for this role. A high standard of written English will be required.

Full editorial support and training will be provided. The senior clinical research editor should expect to spend the equivalent of up to one working day each week on journal-related activities.

This is an independent contractor position, and the term of office is five years, with the possibility of renewal on a yearly rolling basis. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will begin a phased handover with the outgoing editor in mid-November and take up the post fully from 1 December 2025.

The application should include your CV, a letter explaining your interest in and experience relevant to the post, and an outline of what your editorial policy and vision might be, including how you will differentiate the research section of this journal from competitor titles in the field.

Applications should be sent to Emma Boxer, Research Editor, via the APPLY button. The deadline is Monday 6 October 2025.

Interviews will be held via videoconference on Friday 17 October and Monday 20 October.

Applicants are welcome to discuss the role with the outgoing editor; please contact Emma Boxer for details.

About Veterinary Record

Veterinary Record is the official journal of the BVA and has been published since 1888. It contains news, opinion, letters, scientific reviews and original research papers on a wide range of veterinary topics, disease surveillance reports, obituaries and careers information. It is published on behalf of the BVA by Wiley.

The aim of the research section is to publish high quality, impactful veterinary research that can influence and inform practising veterinarians. All research is peer reviewed and must comply with the appropriate research guidelines and the highest ethical standards.

Further information about the journal can be found at https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20427670

The role

The senior clinical research editor will report to the BVA but have final responsibility for the peer-reviewed research content published in the journal, with support from the BVA editorial team and the Wiley publishing team.

The main responsibilities of the senior clinical research editor include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the peer-review process to ensure the journal continues to publish scientifically sound, impactful research that can influence and inform practising veterinarians.
• Ensuring the journal adheres to the highest possible ethical standards (both in terms of publishing and animal welfare) and, where appropriate, providing authors, reviewers and associate editors with guidance on best practice.
• Using your contact network to encourage submission of high-quality papers that align with the aims and scope of the journal.
• Steering the commissioning of scientific review articles by suggesting suitable topics and, where possible, potential authors.
• Working with the BVA editorial team to build and maintain a supportive team of highly qualified international colleagues to serve as associate editors and reviewers.
• Working with the BVA editorial team to establish editorial policy and standards.
• Working with the BVA editorial team and the publisher to identify opportunities for the journal to grow and develop.
• Working with the BVA editorial team to create resources (videos, podcasts etc) to support inexperienced authors and reviewers.
• Attending and contributing to editorial board meetings (typically held in May and November each year).
• Assisting in the judging of the annual Vet Record Impact Award.
• Acting as an ambassador for the journal.
• Collaborating with the BVA editorial team and the editors of the other BVA journals to identify opportunities for cross-promotional content and strengthen the BVA journals’ brand.

As senior clinical research editor you will benefit from the following:

• Annual honorarium of £10,000
• Training and support from the BVA editorial team and Wiley publishing team
• The chance to shape the field, play a role in the development of the journal and gain an insight into the latest research from scientists worldwide
• The opportunity to raise your profile internationally
• Networking with editors of other BVA journals
• Free subscription to Veterinary Record

About BVA

BVA is the largest membership community for the veterinary profession in the UK. We champion, support and empower more than 19,000 vets of all ages, stages and disciplines. For more information visit https://www.bva.co.uk/