Chair, BMJ Ethics Committee

We are recruiting a new chairperson for the BMJ Ethics Committee. The role begins in 2025, when the tenure of our current chairperson ends.

The committee, which was set up in 2000, considers a range of ethical issues including research ethics, the ethics of medical publishing, and ethical issues arising from the work of The BMJ and our portfolio of journals. Practically, the ethics committee helps BMJ editors with difficult cases; reviews and develops editorial policies; and advises on the BMJ’s coverage of ethics. For further information on how the committee works, please visit our website.

The chair serves a three year term, renewable for two further years. Applicants should have a background in medicine or ethics, and they must be able to demonstrate an interest in and aptitude for ethical issues arising from medical research and publication ethics; an interest in the processes of and best practice in ethical publishing; and skill as a chairperson.The committee includes members with ethical, legal, clinical, and research backgrounds – and it meets 3 times a year. Committee members may join meetings remotely. In person meetings take place at least once a year at the BMJ’s office in central London, although an option to join remotely is usually available. Each meeting lasts at least three hours. Committee members are not remunerated, but economy travel expenses will be paid when a meeting is held at the BMJ’s office. It would be helpful if the successful candidate could join one or both of the remaining meetings this year to ensure a smooth handover. These will take place in September and December.

Applicants should email their CV together with a covering letter stating why they would like to chair the committee, and what they would bring to the role, to Professor Kamran Abbasi, editor in chief of BMJ. Please email applications to Helen Beynon, Research Integrity Manager (hbeynon@bmj.com).

Closing date is Friday 20th September 2024.