Description

Call for Applications

Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

The application process is currently open for an Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE), the official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

This volunteer position begins January 2026.

Learn more about the publication and position below.

Timeline:

The editorship will begin January 1, 2026. There will be a three-month transition period beginning (tentatively) September 1, 2025, during which the new editor will work with the current Editor-in-Chief, the Editorial Team, and Elsevier staff to ensure a smooth transfer of duties.

• Applications due: April 1, 2025
• Applications reviewed and notifications sent:  May 1, 2025
• First round of interviews completed: June 1, 2025
• Final candidates interviewed in-person by the AACP Board of Directors: July 17 or 18, 2025, at AACP's Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois
• Transition period begins: September 1, 2025
• Term begins: January 1, 2026 

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Position Title: Editor-in-Chief

Department: Communications

About the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

The American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, the official scholarly publication of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), publishes high-quality and impactful peer-reviewed research, reviews, and commentaries, in addition to Association reports and publications to the Academy, that focus on documenting and advancing pharmaceutical education in the United States and internationally. AJPE serves AACP institutional and individual members, the Academy, and the wider community of pharmacy educators, preceptors, interprofessional colleagues, and post-graduates.

Position Description Summary:

The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) provides leadership for the continued advancement of the Journal and is involved with all decisions regarding content and other elements. The EIC is responsible for driving the strategic vision of the Journal, fostering a culture of innovation, and championing cutting-edge research in pharmaceutical education. A new editor will be responsive to the needs of AACP members, ensuring that the Journal remains a valuable resource and reflective of current trends and challenges within pharmacy education. In addition, the EIC will explore emerging areas that shape the future of the profession. The EIC works closely with associate editors, authors, reviewers, the Editorial Director, Editorial Team, Editorial Board, and AACP staff to elevate the Journal’s reputation; and, together with all stakeholders, the EIC will lead the Journal into its next phase of growth and impact.

Essential Functions and Tasks:

Overall Manuscript Handling, Review and Selection of Manuscripts for Publication

• Delegate manuscripts for review to appropriate Associate Editors.
• Utilize Editorial Manager. 

Editor Responsibilities with Elsevier

• Collaborate with Journal Manager, Executive Publisher, and other Elsevier staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Elsevier in remaining current with academic scholarly publishing.

Editor Responsibilities with Editorial Team

• Lead and collaborate with the AJPE Editorial Director, Executive Associate Editor, and Associate Editors in the Journal management, leadership and strategic planning.
• Lead and collaborate with AJPE Editorial Team (Editorial Director and Associate Editors) to select new Associate Editors and members of the Journal Editorial Board.
• Lead and collaborate with the AJPE Editorial Team to review and revise the guide for authors and consider possible additional acquisitions or changes for the Journal.
• Lead and collaborate with the AJPE Editorial Team to provide programming, whether delivered at AACP meetings (such as the Joseph T. DiPiro Workshop) or online (such as webinars).
• Lead and collaborate with the AJPE Editorial Director and Editorial Team to utilize the AJPE Editorial Board to move forward on Journal initiatives. This could include activities such as the Reviewer Mentorship Program and Editorial Board Task Forces.
• Collaborate with AJPE Editorial Team to develop agendas and materials for Editorial Board meetings.
• Collaborate with the Editorial Director to identify and recognize the top Journal Reviewers.
• Collaborate with the Editorial Director and the Rufus A. Lyman Award Selection Committee to select the annual recipient(s) and honorable mention(s).

Editor Responsibilities with AACP Staff

• Attend the Interim and Annual AACP meetings and other meetings (in-person or virtual) as necessary, to support the activities of the Journal.
• Provide reports to the AACP Board of Directors as needed for their meetings.
• Provide information as requested by the AACP Board of Directors or AACP Staff.
• Provide updates to the AACP Executive Vice President and CEO as requested.
• Provide Editor’s Report to the AACP House of Delegates.
• Provide input into the annual performance evaluation of the Editorial Director.

Editor Responsibilities Toward Authors and Reviewers

• Collaborate and work with potential authors for article submissions.
• Collaborate with the Editorial Team to update and provide contemporary information for authors and reviewers.
• Communicate with authors about manuscript submission to answer questions related to the Journal.
• Communicate with reviewers to answer questions related to the review of manuscripts and the use of Editorial Manager.
• Participate in opportunities where members of the Editorial Team and Board can interact with authors, reviewers, and members at the AACP Annual meetings.
• Provide educational programs for colleges/schools of pharmacy or other groups as requested about elements for pharmacy academic scholarly publishing.

Qualifications for Position:

• Multi-year commitment to the position, with the flexibility to dedicate significant time each week as needed to support Journal activities.
• Research and teaching experience in the pharmacy Academy are essential
• Preferred rank of Associate Professor or higher
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for service to pharmacy education, the pharmaceutical sciences, and AACP
• Fundamental understanding of issues facing pharmacy education and substantial experience in academic publishing, such as serving on the AJPE Editorial Board or other editorial boards.
• Record of involvement in reviewing and publishing in AJPE.
• An understanding of the publication, along with strategic vision and direction.
• Involvement with AACP.
• Willingness and ability to collaborate with other AACP members and groups, as needed.
• Preference for candidate to be an AACP member but not required.

Skill Sets:

• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Successful scholarly record
• Team building
• Efficiently managing deadlines and assignments
• Excellent interpersonal and intrapersonal communication
• Experienced written communication
• Strong oral communication
• Collaborator
• Independent worker
• Expert leadership

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, applicants should provide the following by April 1, 2025:

A.  A current curriculum vitae.

B.  A cover letter that addresses the accomplishments in your career that make you qualified for the position, and answers the following two questions:

• What is your vision for pharmacy education scholarship?
• How will your past leadership experience inform your vision for how the Journal should change and improve over time?