SLEEP Editor-in-Chief Application Details

The Sleep Research Society has appointed a search committee to recommend candidates to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the journal SLEEP. The editor will be appointed for a 5-year term beginning January 1, 2027.

About SLEEP: SLEEP is a peer-reviewed, international journal of sleep and circadian science, and is the official publication of the Sleep Research Society. It publishes original research, targeted scholarly reviews, and commentaries that use a wide variety of scientific approaches and address a broad range of topics in sleep and circadian science and medicine. SLEEP has an impact factor of 4.9 and a 5-year impact factor of 5.4.

Application Procedure: The purpose of this communication is to briefly describe the search process and to invite applications from interested candidates. SRS encourages applications of a diverse pool of candidates without regard to race, creed, age, sex, national origin, country of residence, or any other category provided by law. Applications should be sent by email to the Executive Director of the SRS, John Noel (jnoel@srsnet.org) by March 16, 2026.

Please include the following in your application packet:

  1. Cover letter (five-page limit)
    • Articulate your vision for SLEEP in the context of the trajectory of the field of sleep and circadian rhythms.
    • Summarize your scientific expertise.
    • Describe your interest in the Editor-in-Chief position.
    • Briefly summarize your prior editorial experience.
    • Describe your relevant leadership, team management, and mentoring experience.
    • Explain your approach to leading the journal’s editorial team.
    • Describe how you would mentor and support the professional development of junior editorial team members.
    • Within the context of your primary expertise, identify journal content areas where you feel you would benefit from the involvement of expert Deputy Editor(s).
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Completed Conflict of Interest Form (Word) – Please read the COI policy carefully as there are certain conflicts that would exclude one from this position.

Questions regarding the position or the search can be directed to John Noel, jnoel@srsnet.org, who will liaise with the Search Committee. The Search Committee plans to conduct interviews with a shortlist of candidates in the second quarter of 2026, with the appointment confirmed in June 2026.

Qualifications: The successful applicant will:

  • Have an MD, DO, or PhD degree (or the equivalent)
  • Be a recognized expert in the fields of sleep and/or circadian science, or sleep medicine, as evidenced by reputation and publications
  • Have a record of contributing to the review and editing of published material in the field, peer review processes generally, and editorial processes or leadership
  • Have an international perspective on sleep and/or circadian science
  • Have a record of mentoring trainees and other early career professionals in sleep and/or circadian science
  • Have excellent leadership and team management skills
  • Have good written and verbal communication skills in English
  • Have practical management skills
  • Have adequate time flexibility to take on the responsibilities of editor-in-chief

Onboarding Expectations: The successful candidate will be expected to shadow the current Editor-in-Chief beginning July 1, 2026 until the start of their term in order to become familiar with the processes and policies of the journal. The SRS recognizes the time commitment during this shadowing period and will offer a stipend for this shadowing period.

View the Full Job Description

The Editor-in-Chief is appointed by the SRS Board of Directors to provide practical management of the journal. The term of appointment of the Editor-in-Chief is five (5) years and is renewable for a second term. The Editor-in-Chief will devote 30% – 40% of total work time to these editorial duties. Annual compensation as appropriate for the required effort. The Editor-in-Chief designate will be required to transition with the current Editor-in-Chief for approximately six months leading up to official appointment.

The Editor-in-Chief will:

  1. Set editorial policy for the journal and provide the vision and leadership that will ensure SLEEP is the pre-eminent journal in the field. This will be measured by various citation reports, number of reads, press mentions and other metrics of broader policy and Societal impact.
  2. Be responsible for maintaining the high quality and integrity of the journal. The Editor-in-Chief will provide general oversight of journal content, making sure published papers proportionally represent the breadth of sleep and circadian science, and sleep medicine and further ensuring publications reflect consequential, cutting-edge developments in the field.
  3. Encourage the submission of manuscripts of the highest scientific standard as well as contributions which place advances in sleep science and medicine in broader perspective, including editorials and reviews.
  4. Work collegially with the Editorial Board, the Executive Director, the SRS Board of Directors, contributors, journal SLEEP Advances Editor in Chief, and publisher.
  5. Report regularly to the Board of Directors and submit yearly strategy plans.
  6. Select, supervise and delegate appropriate tasks to the other Editors and Editorial Board.
  7. Provide relevant mentorship and professional development opportunities and processes for new and/or early career Associate Editors and Editorial Board members.
  8. Have ultimate responsibility for the acceptance or rejection of all contributions.
  9. Determine which manuscripts are to be published in each issue, determine their order, and give final approval for publication.
  10. Maintain the production timeline of the journal and ensure that sufficient manuscripts are available for several issues at any time.
  11. Mentor the new Editor-in-Chief designate during the last year of the Editor’s term.
  12. Be expected to attend the SRS’s annual meeting.
  13. Attend and provide input to journal strategy meetings.

The successful candidate will be expected to shadow the current Editor-in-Chief beginning July 1, 2026 until the start of their term in order to become familiar with the processes and policies of the journal. The SRS recognizes the time commitment during this shadowing period and will offer a stipend for this shadowing period.

Questions regarding the position or the search can be directed to John Noel, who will liaise with the Search Committee.

  • Applications should be sent by email to the Executive Director of the SRS, John Noel (jnoel@srsnet.org) by March 16, 2026.
  • The Search Committee plans to conduct interviews with a shortlist of candidates in the second quarter of 2026, with the appointment confirmed in June 2026.
  • The successful candidate will be expected to shadow the current Editor-in-Chief beginning July 1, 2026 until the start of their term in order to become familiar with the processes and policies of the journal. The SRS recognizes the time commitment during this shadowing period and will offer a stipend for this shadowing period.