Associate Editor Open Call

Date Posted:
12 November 2025
Closing date for applications:
20 December 2025
Organisation:
The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
Job type:
Voluntary

About our journals

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (TRSTMH) and International Healthare official journals of RSTMH, published via Oxford University Press. Both journals publish a comprehensive range of multidisciplinary research and review papers, covering topics ranging from public health and infectious diseases to health economics, healthcare systems, and more. We also regularly publish Supplements, Special Features, and specially curated article collections to support and celebrate the wider global health community.   

The role

Associate Editors have a key role in maintaining the high standards of research that we publish in our journals. Each Associate Editor works within a specific thematic area and is given the responsibility of deciding whether new submissions will be considered by the journal, overseeing the peer review process, and actioning any relevant decisions thereafter. Full training will be given, and each journal has dedicated administrative support. Associate Editors are encouraged to contribute to journal development ideas and attend regular board meetings. The term of appointment is 2 years (renewable for a maximum of 6 years). 

There are no geographic restrictions with these posts, and all are welcome to apply – particularly those from underrepresented groups/regions. We are particularly interested to hear from individuals with expertise in the following areas: 

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene 

  • Vector-transmitted diseases: 
    • Viral diseases e.g., dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, JE 
    • Parasitic diseases e.g., Chagas disease, African trypanosomiasis, LF, Leishmania. 
    • Malaria – specifically;
      • Vector control and surveillance studies
      • Prevalence of pathogen in vector
      • Disease prevalence
      • Drug resistance
  • Helminths e.g., STHs (esp. prevalence studies) 
  • Food-borne pathogens e.g., bacteria (e.g. salmonella, trematodes etc.)
  • Bacterial diseases (e.g., leprosy etc.) 
  • Water-borne pathogens (e.g., cholera) 
  • TB 
    • Disease prevalence
    • Drug resistance
  • HIV/AIDS
  • STDs 
  • NTDs close to elimination e.g., onchocerciasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis, guinea worm
  • Non-communicable diseases (e.g., podoconiosis) 
  • Snakebite
  • One health

International Health

  • Non- communicable diseases
  • Health policy and practice
  • Implementation research 
  • Qualitative research
  • Systematic reviews 
  • Ethics, decolonisation
  • One Health
  • Climate and Health
  • HIV/ Aids
  • Cancer
  • NTDs 
  • Viruses
  • Immunization/vaccines 
  • Ophthalmology
  • Humanitarian/conflict and Health
  • WQASH
  • AMR
  • Reproductive health
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Health systems

Responsibilities

Management of Peer Review

  • Ensure that submissions assigned to them have been conducted ethically and presented to the highest scientific standards of writing, integrity, validity, and reliability     
  • Work proactively on manuscripts to minimise unnecessary delays and to ensure a timely review process.
  • Collaborate with the RSTMH editorial office in managing manuscript submissions through our online submission and peer review system:
  • Become competent in the use of the Editorial Manager peer review system (training will be provided).
  • Make an initial decision on the suitability of articles assigned to them within 5-7 working days (a maximum of 2 manuscripts will be assigned each month).
  • Use professional judgement to select and invite suitable referees for each paper, avoiding conflicts of interest, bias, or unethical peer review.
  • Proactively follow up with late reviewers to maintain a timely review process and minimise unnecessary delays.
  • Select and invite new reviewers if initial contact reviewer declines, fails to respond, or does not provide sufficient feedback.
  • Make informed decision judgments on reading of referees’ reports within 7 days of final review being received and provide their own feedback to authors as part of the decision letter.
  • Handle subsequent revisions of manuscripts which they served as editor on (as above), determining whether to have the papers re-reviewed, or handled internally.
  • Assist in dealing with relevant communications from EiCs, reviewers, and authors, where appropriate.
  • Work with Managing Editor and EiCs to resolve any appeals, expressions of concern, allegations of misconduct, etc.
  • Provide feedback to the Managing Editor on the journal’s peer review process, identifying problems and making suggestions for improvement.

Strategic Development

  • Flag interesting and noteworthy articles at early stages of review to Managing Editor, to facilitate effective marketing and promotional activities.
  • Enhance the quality and reputation of the Journal by feeding into the RSTMH journal strategy.
  • Attend online biannual Editorial Board meetings to discuss journal processes and development ideas.
  • Curating & creating content
  • Suggest potential contributors and/or types of papers that we could commission, as well as ideas for Supplements, Special Issues, and curated article collections.
  • Encourage colleagues and collaborators to submit their work to the Journal, or to offer their services as peer reviewers.

Advocating for the Journal

  • Promote and share relevant articles published in the journal through their own networks e.g. via LinkedIn, X, Facebook, etc.
  • Contribute to RSTMH social media output e.g., writing short blog posts to promote journal content.
  • Represent and promote the journal at conferences/events and contribute to journal development initiatives.

The benefits

This is a voluntary position. However, Associate Editors will receive a year’s free membership to the RSTMH upon completion of a 6-month probationary period and offered regular training opportunities throughout their term. Membership benefits include discounted rates to our events and meetings, access to our journal TRSTMH, a 10% discount on OA fees for both journals, eligibility for our grants and award programmes, and exclusive access to our Member Directory and Members Area on our website (full list of benefits can be found here).

Person specification

  • PhD or other doctoral degree in a relevant subject area (essential)
  • Strong publication record and experience of reviewing manuscripts (essential)
  • Knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the journal (essential), with an interest in emerging themes (desirable)
  • Ability to think strategically and act decisively (essential).
  • Commitment to the strategic aims of the RSTMH and a willingness to identify ways the journal can contribute to this (essential).
  • Willingness to act as an advocate for the journal and the RSTMH (essential)

To apply

All applications should be sent via email to the RSTMH Managing Editor, Tom Pinfield (Thomas [dot] pinfield [at] RSTMH [dot] org). Applications will be reviewed by the Managing Editor, EiCs and RSTMH CEO, and should include:

  • A covering letter which outlines academic interests, any previous editorial experience, and your vision for the future development of the journal to which you are applying to work on.
  • A current CV
  • Deadline for applications: applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, but the deadline is 20 December 2025