Position: Editor-in-Chief
Effective Date: March 01, 2025
Journal: American Journal on Addictions (AJA)
Published by: Wiley
Impact Factor: 3.7 (2022 IF)
Acceptance Rate: 27% (2023 metric)
Publication Frequency: Bi-monthly (6 issues per year)
Type of Content: Original clinical or basic research papers, review papers, clinical case reports, and brief reports within the field of addictions
Deadline for Application: March 1, 2025
About the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) is a professional society for Addiction Psychiatrists in the U.S. and focuses on evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery approaches, particularly for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
About the American Journal on Addictions (AJA)
The American Journal on Addictions (AJA) is the flagship journal of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP). It is a peer-reviewed publication that seeks to advance the field of Addiction Psychiatry through the dissemination of cutting-edge research on the etiology, prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. The journal includes genetics and epidemiology of SUD and aims to influence the practice of Addiction Psychiatry globally through the dissemination of cutting-edge advances to the Addiction Ppsychiatry community. Access to the journal is one of the many benefits of membership in the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.
Mission and Goals
The AJA supports the mission of the AAAP by presenting new basic translational and clinical research that advances knowledge in the field and influences Addiction Psychiatry practice. The journal serves as a key resource for Addiction Psychiatrists, providing access to high-quality research and evidence-based approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Editor-in-Chief Key Characteristics
The AAAP is seeking a distinguished and dynamic individual to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal on Addictions. The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:
- Respected and Active Researcher: A well-respected member of the Addiction Psychiatry community with an active research portfolio, proven track-record of scholarship in the field, and strong connections to the national and international community in the field of addictions and substance use disorders.
- Publisher Relationship Management: Experience in academic publishing, peer review, and editorial processes with proven ability to successfully lead and manage the relationship with the journal’s publisher, Wiley.
- Strategic Vision: Capability to create and effectively communicate a strategic vision for the journal providing leadership in guiding the journal in publishing high-impact research.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Strong leadership skills with a good sense of teamwork and the ability to energize, lead, and inspire the editorial team.
- Effective Communication: Clear and effective communicator in managing relationships with authors, peer reviewers, staff, readers, the AAAP, and the journal’s publisher.
- Innovative Technologies: Ability to embrace and integrate innovative technologies in the journal’s processes.
- Informed Decision-Making: Skill in synthesizing information and views from a wide range of sources to make informed and balanced decisions.
- Integrity of Research and Publishing: Possess extensive knowledge related to the integrity of research and publishing, including best practices for addressing research or publication misconduct and questionable practices.
Editor-in-Chief Key Responsibilities
These responsibilities outline the general role of the Editor-in-Chief in maintaining the high standards and strategic direction of the American Journal on Addictions. The role requires a blend of leadership, scientific acumen, and strategic vision to further the journal’s impact and reputation in the field of Addiction Psychiatry.
Selection and Leadership
- Select and Appoint Team Members: Choose the Deputy Editor, Associate Editors, and members of the Editorial Board.
- Strategic Vision: Develop and implement the journal’s strategic vision in collaboration with the AAAP Board of Directors, AJA editorial leadership team, and AJA staff. This includes deciding on the types of manuscripts to publish, developing new or special sections, and defining and articulating journal policies.
Editorial Decisions and Peer Review
- Evaluate Manuscripts: Assess the scientific rigor and integrity of manuscripts, making final editorial decisions based on reviewers’ and other editors’ comments.
- Ensure Peer Review Integrity: Maintain the integrity of the peer review process by assigning reviewers or delegating this responsibility to an Associate Editor.
- Monitor Review Process: Ensure the peer review process is timely, constructive, fair, thorough, and conducted with civility.
Performance and Strategy
- Analyze and Improve Performance: Regularly review journal policies, practices, and performance metrics to enhance journal performance and ensure timely publication.
- Team Leadership: Conduct regular team meetings to develop strategies for recruiting, managing, deciding on journal content, and implementing strategic objectives.
Promotion and Community Engagement
- Promote the Journal: Actively promote the journal within the Addiction Psychiatry community through editorials, social media, presence at the AAAP annual meetings, and journal-sponsored events.
- Lead Meetings: Organize and lead in-person Editorial Board meetings at least once per year during the AAAP annual meeting and conduct an annual retreat with Associate Editors and key staff.
Content Integrity and Ethics
- Ensure Scientific Rigor: Guarantee that journal content is scientifically rigorous, accurate, and aligns with the journal’s goals and scope.
- Handle Research Integrity Issues: Address issues related to research integrity and publishing, including misconduct and unethical practices.
Author and Editorial Communication
- Provide Guidelines: Offer clear guidelines to authors for manuscript preparation, submission, and revision, and communicate editorial policies and standards transparently.
- Report and Serve: Report to and serve as an ex officio member of the AAAP Board of Directors, maintaining editorial independence.
Application Process
Interested Addiction Psychiatrists may apply for this position by submitting a proposal, along with a curriculum vitae, describing your vision and proposed plans for the journal. Please include your ideas about these specific points:
1. Vision and Scope:
- How do you envision the overall scope and goals of AJA and the broader scientific community?
- What suggestions do you have for broadening the reach of the journal or increasing its quality?
2. Strengths and Opportunities:
- What do you consider to be the current strengths of the journal?
- What areas do you see as opportunities for growth and improvement?
3. Addressing Challenges:
- What challenges do you foresee for medical research publications during the coming editorial term?
- How do you propose to address these challenges?
4. Personal Qualities and Experience:
- Describe the qualities you possess that will enable you to fulfill the responsibilities in the job description.
- Detail your prior editorial experience.
5. Competitive Analysis and Improvement Ideas:
- Do you have ideas from reading competitive addiction-focused journals or other medical journals that could be used to strengthen the AJA?
- What features of the journal would you change? Would you add additional content? Drop any?
6. Editorial Innovations and Operational Procedures:
- What novel editorial innovations or operational procedures would you suggest to improve journal quality or timeliness of publication?
7. Additional Information:
- What other information can you provide to convince the Search Committee to appoint you as Editor-in-Chief?
AAAP is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.
Join us in shaping the future of Addiction Psychiatry and advancing the mission of the American Journal on Addictions.
