The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is seeking to appoint a new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) to provide outstanding leadership to the Journal and its Editorial Board.
The EiC will be responsible for articulating the scientific and editorial vision for MNRAS, and for strengthening its position amongst the leading international, Open Access, astronomy research journals.
The EiC will work in close partnership with the RAS Editorial Office and the Journal’s publisher.
The appointment is for a 5-year term, starting in July 2026. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to shadow the existing EiC, Professor David Flower, for several months to ensure a smooth transition.
About MNRAS
MNRAS is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious astronomy journals. First published in 1827, MNRAS has a well-earned reputation for publishing high quality original research in astronomy and astrophysics.
MNRAS is a publication of the RAS, and it plays an important role in the Society’s mission to support and connect astronomers and geophysicists, and to advance the rigorous scientific study of the origins and evolution of our own planet and the whole wider cosmos.
Person Specification
The position of EiC requires the following skills, knowledge and experience:
Essential
• Strong, dynamic and proactive leadership skills with the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• An excellent international scientific track record in astronomy or its underlying sciences, with substantial and recent experience in managing or conducting research of international quality, evidenced by a record of publication in leading international journals.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic planning and managing change.
• Strong written communication and interpersonal skills in English.
• Excellent organisational skills, including an ability to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple competing priorities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Open Access publishing and the different models for publishing academic astronomy research.
• Excellent networking and influencing skills.
• Understanding and forward-thinking approach to technological developments.
Desirable
• Broad interests and knowledge across a range of astronomical research.
• Editorial experience and/or a track record in the evaluation of research publications.
Role Description
The main duties of the MNRAS EiC are to:
• provide strong, proactive, editorial leadership of the Journal including leading an Editorial Board of international experts.
• agree and implement a clear vision and strategy for the Journal that is relevant to current developments in academic astronomy and astrophysics research.
• structure the Editorial Board to support the EiC’s vision and strategy, and regularly review its composition to maintain its effectiveness through the recruitment of high-profile international Board members.
• enhance the international standing, impact and reputation of the Journal, and drive its status as one of the leading academic research journals in astronomy and astrophysics, in close collaboration with the Editorial Board.
• lead the activities, and shape the celebrations, for the Journal’s bicentenary in 2027.
• maintain a strong, collaborative relationship with the RAS’s publishers.
• ensure that the Journal adheres to the best practice guidelines for publication ethics, to deal with ethical issues such as allegations of misconduct, and to act as final arbiter in disputes (more details below).
• maintain regular communication with the Editorial Board about submissions, peer review, standards and support for the Journal’s development.
• proactively encourage the submission of papers and special issues to MNRAS through commissioning and networking, with support from the Editorial Board.
• work closely with the RAS Editorial Office to ensure the Journal offers a market-leading service to authors and to ensure that MNRAS is represented at the National Astronomy Meeting and other relevant conferences.
• chair the Editorial Board meetings, and annually report to the RAS Publications Management Committee and the RAS Council.
• generate ideas for additional activities to promote the Journal.
• advise on editorial and publications policy with the support of the RAS and the Journal’s publisher.
• when interested, and as time allows, take on some manuscript assignments to stay in touch with the Journal’s processes and procedures.
• write Editorials on topical matters.
• play an active role in the selection of RAS publisher at the end of the current publishing agreement.
EiC Term and Remuneration
The EiC will serve an initial term of 5 years, to begin in July 2026. An additional 5-year term will be subject to mutual agreement between the RAS and the EiC.
The EiC will be expected to dedicate 1 day per week to the Journal, in addition to attendance at key Journal meetings or events, typically 3-4 per year.
The EiC receives an annual honorarium plus expenses. These are set annually by the RAS Remuneration Committee.
Support for attendance at international conferences to represent MNRAS, when required.
Editorial Integrity
The EiC will act professionally, without prejudice or conflict of interest, and will not allow their editorial judgment to be influenced by political, commercial and other considerations that are beyond the scope of each scientific paper.
During the term of the appointment, the EiC should not act as an Editor or Editorial Board member for a competitor journal.
The EiC will not disclose confidential information unless authorised by the source of that information, or if there are allegations of misconduct that require access to that confidential information for proper investigation, or if the EiC is required by law to disclose that information.
Editors, authors and reviewers of the Journal are expected to adhere to the RAS Editorial Code of Practice.
The Journal is a member of the Committee for Publication Ethics (COPE) and any investigations of ethical issues follow COPE guidelines.
Journal Information
Owner: RAS
Current publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Instructions to authors: https://academic.oup.com/mnras/pages/General_Instructions
Journal submission site: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/mnras
Format: fully Open Access and online only.
Frequency: 9 volumes are published per year, with 4 issues per volume. Articles are published immediately on acceptance in Advance Access.
Submissions: circa 3,000 submissions annually. Acceptance rate is 80%. Time to first decision is currently 33 days.
Editorial structure: the EiC is currently supported by a Deputy EiC and an Editorial Board of 22 members. The Editorial Board is appointed in consultation with the RAS. The Journal is supported by the Head of Publishing, the Managing Editor and five Assistant Editors.
Metrics: Impact Factor (2024) = 4.8; CiteScore (2024) = 9.7; readership (2024) = 4.2 million.
Peer review: single anonymous peer review.
Application Process
Applicants should send a CV and covering letter to the RAS Head of Publishing, Liz Baker, at ebaker@ras.ac.uk. The covering letter should include relevant experience and explain your interest in the position. This should also include your vision for the future of MNRAS.
For an informal discussion please contact RAS President, Professor Mike Lockwood (m.lockwood@reading.ac.uk).
The closing date for applications is Friday 9th January 2026.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 24th February 2026.
The Royal Astronomical Society is committed to equal opportunities and will appoint to this role on the basis of the most suitably qualified person, regardless of ethnic or national origin, race, gender, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religious or political beliefs, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, or family circumstances. We welcome applications from members of under-represented groups.