The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) invites applications for the position of Editor in Chief of the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI). The JCI, one of the oldest and most respected biomedical journals, is renowned for publishing exemplary studies focused on the mechanistic basis and treatment of disease. The ASCI seeks a dynamic Editor in Chief who will lead a team of academic editors to invigorate the Journal in the highly competitive publishing landscape.
Duties of the Editor
The Editor is responsible for determining the scientific scope and content of the JCI; ensuring the quality and integrity of publications; assembling and leading an editorial board to handle research submissions; and meeting goals set by the ASCI Council and Publications Committee. The selected candidate’s responsibilities include service on the ASCI Council. The term of office is 5 years and begins March 2027.
Strategic Focus
The Editor in Chief must provide a clear vision for the future scientific development of the JCI, with a particular emphasis on how the Journal can expand its portfolio of high-impact research publications, such as clinical trials, public health studies, translational studies, and cutting-edge genomics and bioinformatics research. The successful applicant should also articulate a vision for attracting high-quality submissions to the Journal from across the globe. It is also important to ensure that JCI complements rather than competes with JCI Insight in the ASCI Family of Journals. The Editor in Chief works in collaboration with the Editorial Board, the JCI Executive Editor, the ASCI publishing staff, and the ASCI Publications Committee to set priorities for the Journal.
Eligibility of the Editor and Editorial Board
To be considered for the position of Editor, a candidate must:
- be a member of the ASCI and
- demonstrate a strong scientific record.
For the proposed Editorial Board
- At least 50% must be ASCI members (Active or Senior) in good standing.
- Multi-institution applications are encouraged.
Application timeline
- April 10, 2026: Letters of intent (LOI) due. Applicants submitting a LOI will receive an operational overview of the ASCI and JCI for use in developing full applications. The LOI only needs to identify the proposed Editor in Chief and their affiliated institution but does not need to include specific details regarding the application.
- June 3, 2026: Full applications due.
- July 2026: Finalists for the Editor position determined.
- August 2026: Editor Selection Committee interviews finalists (date and location to be determined).
Full application requirements
The applicant should address the following areas in 5 or fewer single-spaced pages:
- Describe your vision for the scientific scope of manuscripts published in the Journal under your leadership, including scientific areas you see as priorities for the JCI, potential new article categories (if applicable), and areas you see as opportunities for growth and increased impact.
- Provide details regarding proposed editorial board members.
- Describe how you will ensure that the team has the breadth to handle submissions across all specialties. including any areas of new or expanded emphasis for the Journal.
- Describe how Clinical Research and Public Health submissions will be encouraged and handled and any board members with specific expertise in clinical research and translational medicine.
- Specify board members with expertise in genomics and bioinformatics and how efforts will be made to encourage submissions in these areas.
- Describe how the proposed board will evaluate manuscripts and specific efforts to ensure scientific rigor, fair decisions, and timeliness.
- Describe your vision for attracting the best research submissions to the Journal. Consider the changing demographics of submitting authors, in terms of the growing volume of international submissions and potential volatility in US-based submissions.
- Describe how you envision collaborating with the Editor in Chief of JCI Insight to ensure seamless handling of Dual-Journal Submissions and potential transfers from the JCI to JCI Insight.
- Describe how you see the JCI’s mission with respect to serving the ASCI and its membership.
- In the event that you cannot complete the duration of the term, describe the process by which a candidate to replace the Editor in Chief would be determined (subject to approval by the Council and a vote by the membership).
In addition, the application must include a letter from each proposed Board member stating a commitment to the role.
Submitting letters of intent and applications
Address materials to Julie A. Bastarache, MD, Chair of the Editor Selection Committee, and send as an attachment to staff@the-asci.org.
Questions
Contact Sarah Jackson, Executive Editor, at sarah.jackson@the-jci.org.
Review of applications
The Editor Selection Committee will review applications, interview candidates, and recommend a selection to the ASCI Council, which will then submit the recommendation to a vote of the Active segment of the ASCI membership.
