image: Plant Physiology, which will celebrate its centennial in 2026, seeks its next Editor-in-Chief to take the helm of the journal beginning January 1, 2027.
Credit: American Society of Plant Biologists
After taking the helm of Plant Physiology 2022, Yunde Zhao's celebrated term as Editor-in-Chief of the journal, during which he introduced changes that saw the journal flourish, will come to a close on December 31, 2026. The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is seeking a prominent plant scientist to assume the duties and responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief of Plant Physiology effective January 1, 2027. ASPB’s EIC Search Committee is charged with evaluating candidates for the position and invites members of the plant science community to participate in the process by nominating someone who they believe has the capacity to lead Plant Physiology into the future.
Key Functions of the Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief of Plant Physiology is responsible for driving the editorial direction of the journal in collaboration with the journal’s Editorial Board and serves as the figurehead of the journal. They are responsible for elevating the journal’s profile within the community and ensuring published content meets the editorial standards and policies of the journal, as stated in the journal’s aim and scope.
Editorial Leadership
- Maintain and refine the journal’s editorial vision, scope, and strategy in collaboration with the Editorial Board and ASPB.
- Ensure the publication of high-quality, original, and impactful research articles.
- Stay informed about emerging trends and advancements in plant biology.
Manuscript Management & Peer Review
- Ensure fairness, timeliness, and rigor in the manuscript submission and peer review process.
- Make final editorial decisions on manuscript acceptance, revision, or rejection.
- Recruit and maintain a diverse, high-quality pool of peer reviewers and Editors.
Editorial Board & Author Engagement
- Lead and manage the journal’s Editorial Board, ensuring active participation and diversity in expertise.
- Foster relationships with the plant biology and broader scientific community to encourage high-quality submissions.
- Participate in and lead Editorial Board meetings and strategy sessions.
Quality Assurance & Ethics
- Uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity, publication ethics, and best editorial practices (e.g., COPE).
- Address ethical issues such as plagiarism, image manipulation, data manipulation, and conflicts of interest.
Journal Development & Outreach
- Participate in developing and support strategies to enhance the journal’s impact, visibility, and readership.
- Collaborate with ASPB and Oxford University Press on indexing, impact factor improvement, and digital outreach initiatives.
- Represent the journal at conferences, workshops, and professional meetings.
The successful candidate will have a vision for the future of Plant Physiology and be eager to build upon the journal's strong history with ideas that drive the evolution of the journal.
Individuals interested in either applying for the position or nominating a qualified individual should complete the online nomination form. Those applicants and nominees deemed highly qualified by the EIC Search Committee will be invited to submit a CV, and, should they progress further in the search process, a comprehensive vision statement. At that point, applicants should ascertain that their institutions would permit them to assume the duties and responsibilities of this position should it be offered and accepted.
The EIC Search Committee will interview candidates in early Fall 2025 and will present its recommendations to the ASPB Board of Directors in the late Fall or early Winter. The Board will announce the name of the new Editor-in-Chief early in 2026, which will allow an overlap period between present Editor-in-Chief Yunde Zhao and his successor.