Deputy Editor, Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO)

Location: Remote (see job profile for details) 
Salary: Annual stipend of £6,000 
Working hours: Part time, approximately 0.5-1.0 days per week (flexible) 
Contract duration: Three years

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) is the research journal of The College of Optometrists, published by Springer Nature. First published in 1925, OPO is a leading international, interdisciplinary journal that addresses basic and applied questions pertinent to contemporary research in vision science and optometry. OPO publishes original research papers, technical notes, reviews and letters and is of interest to researchers, educators and clinicians concerned with the development, use and restoration of vision. Published bi-monthly online, OPO has an international readership and is available to all College members. 

The College of Optometrists is the professional body for optometry. It qualifies the profession and delivers the guidance and development to ensure optometrists provide the best possible care. We promote excellence through the College’s affixes, by building the evidence base for optometry, and raising awareness of the profession with the public, commissioners, and healthcare professionals. 

We are looking for a Deputy Editor to assist the OPO Editor-in-Chief (EiC) in the day-to-day running of the journal. This role will assist in the day-to-day management of OPO including manuscript review, peer reviewer assignments, and review of manuscript evaluations and proofs. The Deputy Editor will also serve as a member of the OPO Editorial Board and will be expected to attend regular online meetings with representatives of the Editorial Board, The College of Optometrists and the publishers. They will also advise on all current aspects and potential future directions of the journal, including the development of special issues. 

Reporting to the OPO EiC, the role holder will be responsible for (please refer to the job description below for more details):  

• assessing submitted manuscripts for suitability for the journal
• assigning and managing peer reviewers
• reviewing manuscript evaluations
• assessing article proofs
• liaising with OPO’s publisher, Springer Nature
• serving on the OPO Editorial Board
• attending regular online meetings with representatives of the Editorial Board, The College of Optometrists and Springer Nature
• contributing to journal strategy and planning
• assisting with the promotion of OPO
• upholding the highest ethical standards of professional practice and to follow best practice guidelines as outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)

Successful candidates would need to demonstrate the following skills, experience and knowledge: 

• broad knowledge of clinical and applied vision science research and extensive research experience in a relevant subject area
• active and prolific member of the international research community, with the ability to maximise opportunities to identify, engage with, and influence key members and potential collaborators
• strong publication record in peer reviewed scientific journals
• editorial experience as reviewer, peer-reviewed author, associate editor, guest editor or editorial board member. Other forms of peer reviewing expertise, such as grant review panels may also be considered as relevant experience
• good use of English and excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• knowledge of best practice guidelines for scholarly journal publishing and research ethics
• commercial awareness in relation to scientific research and/or scholarly publishing
• strong organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly under pressure to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines
• meticulous attention to detail and a conscientious approach to checking the accuracy of information, essential for publishing research
• ability to work and communicate diplomatically with authors, editors, and reviewers

• Application deadline: 30 September 2026 
• Interview date: mid October 2026