The Journal of Dairy Science, a journal of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) published in partnership with Elsevier, is seeking its next Editor in Chief to begin duties in January 2026.
This is an incredible opportunity to truly make a difference in dairy science. To ensure full consideration, candidates should review the role responsibilities and qualifications below, and apply by March 1, 2025.
First published in 1917, the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) is the leading peer-reviewed general dairy research journal in the world. JDS publishes high-quality scientific research on the production and processing of milk for human consumption. Research published in this journal is broadly divided into the production of milk from food animals (nutrition, physiology, health, genetics, and management) and processing of milk for human consumption (dairy foods). The Journal of Dairy Science is an open-access journal.
ADSA is looking for those with an interest in scientific publishing—including editors, reviewers, and editorial board members of ADSA as well as other journals or dairy science pursuits—to consider this opportunity to shape the direction of this venerable journal while working with its authors, readers, and reviewers to ensure its future success. The editor in chief has a highly visible role within the American Dairy Science Association and in the larger dairy science community, and often collaborates closely with the editor in chief of JDS Communications.
Responsibilities and Expectations
The editor in chief reports to the board of the American Dairy Science Association. The responsibilities for this three-year term are to
- provide strategic leadership and vision to the journal;
- lead the effort to define the journal's strategic direction and scope and, in conjunction with the section editors, to implement, advise on, and adhere to journal policies;
- support, train, mentor, and lead a team of section editors in managing the peer-review process to ensure quality decisions and timely handling of submissions;
- work with journal and association staff to review articles, finalize issues, and promote the journal;
- communicate with authors, editors, reviewers, and readers regarding all aspects of the journal;
- represent the journal and ADSA at scientific meetings;
- work with the ADSA Journal Management Committee and serve in an ex-officio role on the ADSA Board of Directors;
- communicate and work with the journal's publisher to ensure quality and timeliness of publication; and
- spearhead strategic initiatives to advance the journal's goals.
Required Qualifications
Candidates should possess a terminal degree in dairy science (i.e., PhD, DVM, or equivalent) or a closely related field. Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in leadership and scientific publishing. The position requires strong communication skills, an outstanding ability to meet deadlines, and close collaboration with journal staff and the executive director of ADSA.
Application Process
This is an incredible opportunity to truly make a difference in dairy science. To ensure full consideration, candidates should apply by March 1, 2025. The search will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.
Please consider this opportunity to write a new chapter in your career as a dairy scientist and send a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references (name, title, address, phone, email) to ADSA Executive Director Jerry Bowman at jbowman@adsa.org.
The letter of intent should address the following topics and should be no more than 2 pages in total:
- Describe your experience in an editorial capacity of a peer-reviewed journal (including authoring, reviewing, serving on editorial boards, etc.)
- Describe your leadership experience and any experience you have mentoring teams
- Describe communication with different levels of stakeholders
- Describe how you would prioritize the responsibilities of this position
For further information, please contact Michael Miller, PhD, Search Committee Chair.