Fwd: [EXTERNAL] Seismica journal recruitment

[Catherine Rychert]

Following a higher-than-expected rate of submissions, we are recruiting new members to join the Seismica Editorial Board for a 3-year commitment, beginning in 2026. We are accepting applications from any field in geophysics, earthquake science, and related disciplines, but have a particular need for expertise in structural seismology, DAS, and environmental seismology. Past editing experience would be an advantage but not a requirement.  Applicants should meet the following criteria:

1)    Experience as a first/corresponding author, having managed the submission, revision and publishing steps for multiple papers, and feeling comfortable with how that works at similar journals in our discipline(s).

2)    Experience as a reviewer in international peer-reviewed journals who brings an understanding of how reviews reflect different priorities and align with aims/goals of different journals.

3)    Excellent communication skills and willingness to uphold Seismica's community standards for supportive, inclusive and constructive interactions, and helping authors and reviewers do the same. This also includes a willingness to commit to responding to emails in a timely fashion and proactive communication with all parties during the paper handling process.

4)    Share Seismica’s key values and commit to working towards a globally representative, researcher-run journal. Seismica is a Diamond Open Access Journal for seismology, earthquake science, and related disciplines. Launched in July 2022, the journal was created for the community. Seismica strives to be accessible, transparent, respectful, credible, and progressive.

Responsibilities: When a manuscript is submitted to Seismica, the Production Editor checks the initial submission and then sends a request to a Handling Editor who recruits reviewers, manages the review and revision processes, liaises with the authors, and makes a decision on whether to accept the manuscript. Handling Editors manage an average of 5-10 papers per year and attend or watch regular Seismica Board meetings to give input and stay updated on journal policies, best practices, and mentoring programs. The time commitment is 0.5-1 hr per week to stay up to date with Seismica business, plus 3-5 hours per manuscript handled. Handling Editors manage their own workload and have a choice to accept or decline each request from the Production Editor depending on immediate availability, disciplinary expertise, and to avoid conflict of interest. As a not-for-profit independent journal, all positions at Seismica are volunteer roles.

We invite anyone interested to apply ASAP, to join the Seismica initiative. Spread the word!

Seismica supports its Board members with well-defined workflows, policies and tools, access to advice and mentoring from experienced editors, copy-editors and colleagues on the Seismica Board (via email and Slack), Seismica Ambassador training (to develop literacy in Open Access publishing, and visible record of contributions to scholarly publishing (on the journal website and by name recognition on the published articles). 

Review of applications will begin April 1, with recruitment ongoing until positions are filled.  

Any questions can be sent to in...@seismica.org.

Link to application form below: