NAR Cancer Editor-in-Chief

Request for Applications for NAR Cancer Editor-in-Chief

Oxford University Press is inviting applications and nominations for the position of Editor-in-Chief of its peer-reviewed open access journal NAR Cancer.

NAR Cancer is a high-quality fully open access journal publishing research at the intersection of the nucleic acids research and cancer fields, including cancer computational biology and data resources, DNA damage sensing and repair, gene regulation and chromatin, genomics, methods, nucleic acid-based therapeutics, and structural biology.

As part of the Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) family, NAR Cancer plays a key role in disseminating impactful cancer research to a broad international readership, maintaining the high standards of scientific excellence, transparency, and reproducibility associated with the NAR brand. It covers the same range of nucleic acid-related areas as NAR, but with a unique emphasis on causes, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

In consultation with Oxford University Press, the incoming Editor-in-Chief will lead the journal’s editorial policy and development strategies, with particular focus on growing the journal, which is a key strategic objective. The role carries a minimum three-year commitment, commencing in mid 2027, and includes an extended transition and handover period with the outgoing Editor-in-Chief through to 1 January 2028.

• A strong and internationally recognised record of scholarship in cancer or closely related fields
• A broad understanding of current and emerging areas across cancer research
• Demonstrated leadership, organisational, and communication skills
• Sufficient time to devote to the role
• A sound understanding of scholarly publishing
• Previous editorial experience and the ability to clearly articulate a compelling vision for the future development of NAR Cancer will be key factors in the selection process

Interested applicants should submit the following materials by 1 August 2026 (with the possibility of the Publisher extending this deadline):

• Letter of application, including:
  • Vision for NAR Cancer – specifically addressing how you would increase submissions to the journal (300-word limit)
  • Reasons for your interest in this position (300-word limit)
  • Brief description of research interests and current fields of activity (100-word limit)
  • Prior editorial experience (100-word limit)
  • Brief description of leadership positions held (100-word limit)
• Curriculum vitae

We strongly encourage applications from women, people of colour, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic minority groups.

Applications and nominations should be sent to the Publisher for the journal:
Rebecca Lane,

The primary responsibilities of the Editor-in-Chief are to provide editorial leadership and strategic stewardship of NAR Cancer and to guide the journal’s editorial direction. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Editor ensures the journal’s content fulfils the journal vision, provides value to its readership, and reflects the highest standards of scientific value and integrity; the Editor also ensures that journal operations are conducted in accordance with industry standards and best ethical and publishing practices.

The initial tenure for this position is a three-year term, with extensions subject to mutual agreement with Oxford University Press.

In overseeing the journal’s content and operations, the Editor-in-Chief’s specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Defining and advancing the strategic development and editorial direction of the journal in line with its vision and scope
• Working with the Associate Editors to ensure that all articles accepted for publication have undergone a rigorous, objective, and timely peer review process
• Act as initial quality assessor, and as final arbiter, determining acceptance or rejection of all materials submitted for potential publication and where relevant commission high-quality content for consideration
• Leading and supporting the Associate Editors and Editorial Board, and overseeing performance of their assigned roles
• Recruiting, developing, and maintaining a…