Reporting to: Head of Publishing
Responsible for: Providing administrative and editorial support to ensure the Society’s journals operate as effectively as possible.
Grade: G
Contract: Fixed term for 18 months, full time
Location: BPS offices, London. This role involves some overnight and weekend stays away from home. Time off in lieu will be granted for weekend working.
The British Pharmacological Society is recruiting for an exciting role to join the team.
The Publishing Assistant is a new role within the Publishing team at the British Pharmacological Society. The Publishing Assistant will work with the Head of Publishing, Publishing Editor, other Society staff and the Society’s members to provide general and administrative support for the Society’s portfolio of journals. This is a varied role, working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including Trustees, Editorial Board members, staff at our publisher, Wiley, and authors.
The Publishing Assistant will make sure that the Society’s journals deliver on their goals for the efficient, timely publication of high-quality, rigorous pharmacological research, by supporting initiatives within publications strategy.
You will have solid experience in administration, proactive problem-solving and working with a range of stakeholders. We encourage innovative and creative thinking to enable us to effectively showcase and promote the work of the Society and our members.
The team at the Society is fun and dynamic, and this role would be well-suited to someone who thrives on working in a collaborative setting.
This is a hands-on role that will allow the right candidate to have autonomy over their role.
Main tasks and responsibilities
Supporting the Society’s Publishing Portfolio
Working with key stakeholders
• Providing administrative and editorial support to the Head of Publishing and Publishing Editor to ensure tasks related to and in support of the publishing process are carried out promptly and accurately.
• Assisting with the day-to-day management of the Society’s journals, working closely with the Society’s publisher (e.g., ensuring Editorial Board records are correct, supporting peer review initiatives)
• Supporting the Head of Publishing, Publishing Editor, and other relevant stakeholders in the delivery of the Society’s publishing strategy.
• Developing, supporting and maintaining excellent working relationships with academic Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Boards, Trustees and members with the aim of providing first class service to all, and building our journals’ reputation and quality.
• Providing ad hoc support to the Editors-in-Chief, to help them to work efficiently and effectively.
Operational support
• Assisting in the implementation and tracking of progress of journal development plans and contributing to the smooth rollout of new projects and procedures.
• Capturing and updating standard operating procedures and processes related to the running of the Society’s journals, to ensure business continuity and to clearly define roles and responsibilities.
• Organising publishing meetings (including our annual Editorial Board meetings) both in-person and virtually.
• Keeping abreast of trends and developments relevant for pharmacology (in research, clinical and industry settings, as well as in publishing), to ensure the journals reflect the needs and interests of their communities.
Supporting the wider activities of the Scientific Programmes, Policy & Partnerships
directorate
• Working proactively with the Society’s Marketing and Communications Team to ensure the journals are promoted through all relevant channels, and to develop effective methods to champion the journals’ content.
• Monitoring the journals’ output and pipelines to seek links with the Society’s broader activities (e.g., within events and policy programmes) and liaising with staff and academic editors to ensure these links are made where appropriate.
• Assisting in the scheduling and compiling of data into professional reports and presentations for publishing stakeholders.
• Collaborating with the wider directorate, and the broader staff team, on ad hoc projects, events and initiatives, to ensure effective alignment between the Society’s publishing and other activities.
How to apply
We strongly encourage candidates to apply early for this post. The closing date for applications is 9th October 2026. Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 26th October; however, we reserve the right to interview earlier.
For further information about the role, please take a look at the following:
Job Description and Person Specification
To apply, please send a CV along with a covering letter explaining how your experience is relevant and why you would like to work at the British Pharmacological Society addressed to Charles Whalley, at recruitment@bps.ac.uk.
Please note: The Society sees tremendous value in having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All applications are anonymised when reviewed by the Hiring Panel.
Applicants must reside and have the right to work in the United Kingdom. The Society cannot offer sponsored visas.
