Recruiting Early Career Editorial Board Members for Designs

In order to further enhance the international influence of Designs (ISSN: 2411-9660), promote the academic exchange of young scientists, and support the Editorial Board with additional expertise, the journal would like to invite interested and eligible early career researchers to apply for Early Career Editorial Board (ECEB) membership.

We plan to recruit a total of 50 Early Career Editorial Board Members. This position can be held for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.

Application eligibility:

Completed their doctorate/PhD degree in the past 10 years (considering exceptions for career interruptions, including medical and family leave);
Served as the first author on at least five peer-reviewed and published manuscripts;
Have a strong and impactful portfolio of publications in their field of research;
Currently (at the time of application) an assistant professor, research assistant professor, associate research scientist, post-doctoral fellow, or equivalent early career position;
Active and engaged in their community (e.g., experienced at presenting at academic conferences or involved in professional organizations).

Benefits of being an Early Career Editorial Board Member:

A certificate of appointment as an Early Career Editorial Board Member will be provided;
The achievements of Early Career Editorial Board Members will be publicized on the journals’ various media platforms to improve academic visibility;
Opportunities to be promoted to a full Editorial Board Member will be provided contingent upon contributions;
The journal will regularly acknowledge those who have participated in the peer-review process on the website;
Opportunities to participate in or host annual meetings and online seminars organized by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board Members.

Responsibilities of an Early Career Editorial Board Member:

Publicizing and promoting the journal at academic conferences and among peers;
Selecting high-quality articles and preparing media content for their promotion;
Reviewing at least three manuscripts per year;
Identifying potential reviewers for specific papers, and assessing any potential ethical or policy-based questions that might arise due to the papers’ content;
Supporting the development of the journal through various means, such as providing suggestions and promoting the journal via academic networks, academic conferences, and new media channels;
Inviting submissions from world-leading scientists in their respective research fields through both local and global networks;
Learning about the scholarly publishing landscape, including gaining an awareness of the manuscript review process, ethical considerations, and the strategies used by publishers.

Applications:
Please fill in the application form here.

Please send the application form and your academic resume to designs@mdpi.com with the subject line “Designs Early Career Editorial Board Application + Name + Institute + Research Expertise”.

Application deadline: 30 April 2026.

Selection process:
Initial screening of application materials → selection by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members → email notification → issuing a certificate of appointment.

The selection will be made within one month of the application deadline, and the results will be announced on the journal website.