Call for Candidates: Editor-in-Chief

2026-10-26

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) invites applications for Editor-in-Chief of Research in Nondestructive Evaluation (RNDE), a peer-reviewed research journal serving the nondestructive evaluation community.

About the journal

Since 1989, RNDE has published original experimental and theoretical research in nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring, including acoustic and ultrasonic methods, electromagnetics, radiography, thermography, optical techniques, and emerging computational and machine-learning approaches.

ASNT will publish RNDE independently beginning with Volume 38 in January 2027, using Open Journal Systems (OJS) at rnde.asnt.org under a Diamond Open Access model, with free access for readers and no article processing charges for authors. Articles will be published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license, under which authors retain copyright.

RNDE is indexed and abstracted in CSA: Engineered Materials Abstracts; CSA: Metals Abstracts; Elsevier Engineering Information: COMPENDEX; ISI: Current Contents/Engineering, Computing & Technology; ISI: Materials Science Citation Index; ISI: Science Citation Index; ISI: Science Citation Index Expanded; and Physics Abstracts. ASNT is working to confirm continuity of coverage with relevant abstracting and indexing services following the publishing transition.

The incoming Editor-in-Chief will have an opportunity to help guide RNDE through this transition, expand its visibility, strengthen its editorial community, and attract high-quality research from around the world.

Responsibilities
  • Set the journal’s scientific direction, scope, editorial standards, and scholarly priorities.
  • Oversee rigorous, fair, timely peer review; assign or oversee Associate Technical Editor assignments and make final scholarly editorial decisions.
  • Recruit, develop, and engage qualified Associate Technical Editors and peer reviewers.
  • Address appeals, corrections, and publication-ethics concerns in accordance with journal procedures and applicable COPE guidance.
  • Promote RNDE among academic, industry, and international NDE research communities; encourage strong submissions and special issues.
  • Share ASNT-prepared social media posts about RNDE on personal and professional channels.
  • Work with ASNT Publications staff on the OJS transition, editorial workflows, journal development, and communications while maintaining appropriate scholarly editorial independence.
  • Monitor editorial performance, including review timeliness, reviewer participation, and author experience.

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for scholarly editorial decisions. ASNT Publications staff support journal administration, platform operations, production, and publishing activities, in accordance with ASNT policies and the agreed division of responsibilities.

Appointment and support

The appointment is for a three-year term, with an anticipated start date of 1 January 2027, subject to the appointment letter. The position is voluntary. ASNT will provide OJS access, editorial administration and production support, and visibility through Society communications and events. The EIC is expected to lead two virtual Editorial Board meetings per year and attend ASNT’s Research Symposium. ASNT will reimburse up to $1,500 in travel expenses for the Research Symposium.

Qualifications
  • Established record of NDE or closely related research and scholarly contributions.
  • Scientific publishing experience, such as journal editor, associate editor, guest editor, or comparable editorial leadership.
  • Sound editorial judgment, knowledge of publication ethics, and a commitment to fair peer review.
  • Ability to recruit and lead a geographically distributed volunteer editorial team.
  • A practical vision for RNDE’s growth, impact, and open access transition.
  • Availability to fulfill the role and participate in the ASNT Research Symposium; support from an employer or institution where applicable.

Experience with open-access publishing or manuscript management platforms is desirable but not required. Qualified researchers from academia, industry, government, and independent research settings are encouraged to apply.

Application and selection

Apply through the ASNT portal by 30 November 2026. Submit a CV, cover letter (maximum 500 words), two professional letters of support, and a statement confirming your ability to devote the required time and resources (including institutional endorsement where applicable). The application also includes short responses about editorial experience, scholarly vision, ethics, and first-year priorities.

An ad hoc review panel convened by ASNT will evaluate and score eligible applications against approved criteria. The panel’s assessment is advisory; the Publisher (ASNT CEO or designee) holds final appointment authority. Finalists may be invited to interview.

Questions: Jill Ross, Director of Publications, jross@asnt.org. Apply: https://asntleadership.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/10/home.