6 May, 2026
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially inaugurated a pivotal recruitment drive, seeking four visionary leaders to assume the role of Chief Editor across its prestigious portfolio of medical journals. This leadership transition, set to commence in October 2027, represents a critical juncture for the organization as it looks to maintain its dominance in the dissemination of high-impact respiratory research, clinical guidelines, and educational content.
For the international respiratory community, these positions are not merely administrative; they are the gatekeepers of scientific advancement. As the landscape of medical publishing evolves toward open access and rapid digital dissemination, the incoming editors will be tasked with steering the strategic direction of the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ), ERJ Open Research, European Respiratory Review, and Breathe.
Main Facts: The Call for Editorial Stewardship
The ERS is inviting applications from established experts within the field to guide the editorial vision of four distinct publications. The mandates for these roles are scheduled to begin in October 2027, allowing for a comprehensive transition period.
The publications currently seeking leadership include:
- The European Respiratory Journal (ERJ): As the flagship publication, the ERJ is the pinnacle of the ERS portfolio. It is dedicated to high-impact, cutting-edge clinical and experimental research. Furthermore, it serves as the authoritative source for international task force reports and clinical guidelines that dictate global standards of care.
- ERJ Open Research: This fully open-access journal is the engine of the society’s commitment to accessible science. It covers the full spectrum of respiratory medicine, from fundamental basic science to translational research and complex clinical applications.
- European Respiratory Review: Positioned as an open-access review journal, it provides the "state-of-the-art" synthesis that busy clinicians and researchers rely on. It features critical editorials, in-depth reviews, and professional correspondence on the most pressing issues in respiratory surgery and medicine.
- Breathe: Distinct from the research-heavy titles, Breathe serves as the clinical educational bedrock of the ERS. It focuses on practice-based learning, high-quality educational reviews, and clinical case studies designed to educate the next generation of respiratory specialists.
Chronology: A Roadmap for the Transition
The timeline for this selection process has been meticulously designed to ensure continuity and rigor in editorial oversight.
- 6 May 2026: Official announcement of the open positions and publication of detailed job descriptions.
- May–June 2026: The application window. Candidates are encouraged to review the specific competencies required for each journal, as the strategic needs of the flagship ERJ differ significantly from the educational focus of Breathe.
- 26 June 2026: The strict deadline for all applications. Candidates must submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter articulating their vision, suitability, and motivation for the role.
- Late 2026 – Early 2027: Review of candidates by the ERS selection committee, followed by interviews and final deliberations.
- October 2027: Official commencement of the new Chief Editor mandates.
This eighteen-month runway from announcement to commencement is intended to facilitate a smooth handover of responsibilities, ensuring that the journals do not experience a lapse in momentum during the leadership changeover.
Supporting Data: The Impact of ERS Publications
To understand the weight of these roles, one must look at the reach and influence of the ERS publishing house. The ERS journals consistently rank among the highest-impact titles in the respiratory field.
The European Respiratory Journal remains the primary outlet for the most significant clinical trials and breakthrough research in the discipline. With an increasing shift toward the "Open Science" model, ERJ Open Research has seen a year-on-year increase in article submissions and citation rates, reflecting the global demand for barrier-free access to high-quality data.
European Respiratory Review acts as a crucial knowledge-transfer bridge, condensing vast amounts of emerging research into actionable insights for practitioners. Meanwhile, Breathe maintains one of the highest readership rates among early-career professionals, serving as a vital training tool that links the society’s academic output to real-world clinical excellence.
The selection of a Chief Editor involves evaluating a candidate’s ability to uphold these metrics—specifically their influence on Impact Factors, citation growth, and their commitment to the ERS mandate of democratizing respiratory knowledge.
Official Perspectives: The Role of the Chief Editor
While the society has not released a singular statement from the outgoing board, the job descriptions provided by the ERS offer a clear window into the expectations placed upon the successful applicants.
The role of a Chief Editor is described as "multifaceted," requiring a balance between scientific rigor and strategic innovation. The successful candidate must possess:
- Editorial Vision: An ability to identify emerging trends in respiratory science before they become mainstream.
- Integrity: A steadfast commitment to peer-review excellence and ethical publishing standards.
- Leadership: The capacity to manage a diverse international editorial board and foster a culture of inclusivity and scientific debate.
As one internal document notes, "The Chief Editor is the steward of the journal’s reputation. They must balance the need for rapid dissemination of urgent clinical findings with the meticulousness required for archival scientific record."
Implications: Why This Matters for the Global Respiratory Community
The appointment of four new Chief Editors is a consequential event that will define the trajectory of respiratory medicine for the remainder of the decade. As the world faces mounting challenges in lung health—ranging from the long-term sequelae of respiratory viruses to the rising burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in developing nations—the leadership of these journals acts as a compass for the medical community.
1. The Shift to Open Access
The current recruitment underscores the ERS’s firm stance on Open Access (OA). By selecting editors for ERJ Open Research, European Respiratory Review, and Breathe who understand the nuances of OA publishing, the society is signaling that the future of medical knowledge is public, transparent, and digital.
2. Clinical vs. Experimental Balance
The challenge for the new ERJ editor will be the classic tension between the "experimental" and the "clinical." As modern medicine moves toward precision therapies and personalized respiratory care, the journals must adapt. The new leadership will likely be expected to prioritize submissions that reflect this shift toward genetic, diagnostic, and therapeutic innovation.
3. Global Reach
The ERS is an international body. The incoming editors are expected to reflect this by fostering diverse editorial boards that represent geographical and gender parity. The implications for researchers in underrepresented regions are significant; an editor with a global perspective can provide a platform for research that might otherwise be overlooked by journals with a Western-centric focus.
How to Apply: A Call to Action
The ERS is encouraging members to view these opportunities not just as professional milestones, but as a chance to shape the future of their specialty. Applications are to be submitted via email to the society’s designated recruitment office.
The application process is intentionally rigorous. A CV alone is insufficient; the covering letter is where the committee will assess a candidate’s "suitability and motivation." Candidates are advised to address the specific challenges currently facing their journal of interest—such as the competitive landscape for high-impact papers or the need to increase digital engagement with the Breathe readership.
For those interested in exploring the broader context of these roles, the ERS elections and open positions page remains the definitive resource for current vacancies and governance opportunities within the society.
Final Thoughts
As the deadline of 26 June 2026, approaches, the eyes of the respiratory community turn toward the ERS. The transition in 2027 will not merely be a change of name at the masthead of these journals, but a renewal of the mission that drives the European Respiratory Society: the advancement of lung health through the highest standards of scientific publication. Whether a candidate is an established clinical researcher or a pioneer in respiratory science, these four roles offer the unique chance to be at the center of the global conversation on health.
