Chief Executive Officer

As we move into our second century, The Company of Biologists is appointing a new CEO to follow its retiring leader. This role offers the opportunity to guide the organisation’s next chapter while remaining deeply rooted in its purpose of serving the scientific community and will be based from our office in Cambridge, UK.

Reporting to a highly engaged Board of Trustees, the CEO will:

• provide clear, inclusive leadership to the senior management team and wider organisation
• set and deliver long-term strategy, balancing publishing excellence with charitable impact
• strengthen relationships with the scientific community, editors and partners
• ensure financial sustainability while enabling thoughtful investment and innovation, both within publishing and the organisation’s charitable activities
• act as an effective bridge between the Board’s scientific governance and day-to-day operations

You will bring:

• senior leadership experience from publishing, scholarly communications, a learned society or a closely aligned, mission-driven organisation
• commercial and financial confidence, alongside a strong sense of purpose and integrity
• experience working constructively with boards or trustees
• the ability to lead through influence, clarity and trust rather than hierarchy
• strong knowledge of scientific journals publishing as well as of the scientific academic community

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected, values-led organisation with global reach, strong financial foundations and the freedom to make a meaningful difference. With our genuine appetite to innovate and reform, this role is a platform to be part of the evolving direction of scientific publishing.

Closing date: 10 April 2026.

All applications and related enquiries will be handled by our Executive Search partner, Inspired Search, and will be reviewed by MD of Inspired Search, Abigail Barclay, w/c 13 April 2026.

Paid 12-month internship: Communications Officer

We have an exciting paid 12-month internship opportunity for someone looking to take their first step into a science communication or publishing role. This position will sit within the editorial department, working closely with our community site managers and the marketing team, to promote the activities of our five journals and build on our connections with the scientific community. Please see the full role description for further details.

To apply, please email recruitment@biologists.com with your CV and a covering letter stating relevant experience and why you are enthusiastic about this opportunity. The application deadline is 20 April 2026, but we will consider applications on a rolling basis so encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.