Position Announcement

Call for Nominations

Editor(s) in Chief, The Biological Bulletin

Term of Appointment: 5 years, renewable

Overview

The Biological Bulletin disseminates novel scientific results in broadly related fields of biology in keeping with more than 100 years of a tradition of excellence. The Biological Bulletin publishes outstanding original research of general interest to biologists throughout the world, with an overarching goal of explaining how organisms develop, function, and evolve in their natural environments. To that end, the journal publishes papers in the fields of Neurobiology and Behavior, Physiology and Biomechanics, Ecology and Evolution, Development and Reproduction, Cell Biology, Symbiosis and Systematics. The Biological Bulletin continues to emphasize basic research on marine model systems but welcomes submissions of an interdisciplinary nature and those on non-marine topics that fit our fundamental aims.

The Editor in Chief is responsible for the overall editorial direction of The Biological Bulletin. The Editor in Chief appoints Associate Editors and members of the Editorial Board, decides which manuscripts are published, mediates editorial disputes, and sets policy for the journal. The Editor in Chief is an independent contractor who consults with the Editorial Board of The Biological Bulletin and the Publisher, the University of Chicago Press, on changes to the editorial direction or policies of the journal. The Editor in Chief may work from his or her home institution but is expected to consult with the Editorial Board and the Publisher as needed.

Position Requirements

The successful candidate(s) will meet the following requirements:

• A broad understanding of biology and a manifest interest in its diversity and comparative and integrative aspects
• A track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Proven skill as a substantive editor and demonstrated experience with the editorial process (e.g., serving as an Editor or Associate Editor for a journal similar to The Biological Bulletin)
• Ability to make tough decisions and willingness to work with other Editors to reach a decision on difficult papers
• The willingness and ability to commit the time required to fulfill the duties outlined here

Previous involvement with The Biological Bulletin is desirable but not required.

Job Description

The Editor in Chief’s ongoing activities include:

• Developing a collaborative vision to promote, raise, and maintain the profile of the journal to attract high quality papers
• Recruiting engaged and forward-thinking Editorial Board members
• Assigning submitted papers to the appropriate Associate Editor
• Reading reviews and manuscripts to ensure fairness and technical accuracy
• Writing editorial decision letters based on the reviews
• Fielding queries from authors
• Collaborating with Associate Editors on such matters as selection of reviewers and responses to authors
• Communicating regularly with the Managing Editor and others to plan future issues, including annual symposium issues, and collaborating on organizational issues

Job support will include:

• Logistical and operational support from the Managing Editor and University of Chicago Press
• An annual honorarium
• Access to a “Journal Fund” that can be used at the discretion of the journal’s Editor on items or activities which support or enhance the health of the journal, including travel

Nomination Information

The search committee will begin considering nominations on June 1, 2026. Nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. The timing for the beginning of the position is negotiable, but preferably no later than November 1, 2026. Proposals including nominations for two Editors in Chief to share duties are encouraged.

Nomination packets must include the following:

• Letter of intent
• Current CV
• Vision statement for the journal

Send nominations (including self-nominations) to the Search Committee biological_bulletin@uchicago.edu.