EHJ-ACVC junior reviewer programme

The European Heart Journal-Acute CardioVascular Care (EHJ-ACVC) targets quality and form.

Our success is built on a foundation of brilliant authors striving to address relevant clinical questions by applying appropriate methods, skilled reviewer’s intent on guiding authors towards improving their work, and gifted editors dedicating their valuable time to share their hard-earned wisdom.

As training and experience in conducting reviews is insufficiently provided in graduate or postgraduate education, at the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC) recognises a need for education and training in this important academic role.

The EHJ-ACVC and ACVC join forces to actively involve junior researchers in the peer‑review process, and to allow them to gain experience. Guidance and formal training in peer‑review is an asset.

We have designed the EHJ-ACVC junior reviewer programme to meet three objectives:

• provide opportunities for young, promising professionals in the field, allowing them to provide input in the review process;
• train high quality reviewers and;
• build a community of developing scholars.

Job descriptions and person specifications

Job description

The EHJ-ACVC junior reviewer programme recruits six cardiology trainees or fellows with some scientific publication experience for a term of two years.

Junior reviewers:

• are recruited in a competitive process, nominated in response to an open application process.
• work directly with the Deputy/Associate Editor and the Editor-in-Chief.
• are assigned articles by the Deputy/Associate Editor. Their role is to undertake reviews of the articles that are assigned to them. All articles are also reviewed by other (more senior) reviewers with significant experience in the peer‑review process, and by the relevant Deputy/Associate Editor.
• are provided with critical feedback on their reviews by the Deputy/Associate Editor with whom they are paired as part of the training programme. His/her review will be graded in terms of quality, relevance, and timeliness.

Benefits:

• a certificate from the European Heart Journal-Acute CardioVascular Care (EHJ-ACVC) and the board of the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), for the reviewers who have provided high quality and timely reviews for at least 18 articles/2 years. Some may be invited to write an editorial paired with their Deputy/Associate Editor or become Senior Reviewers or even (Associate) Editors if appropriate and when vacancies occur.
• one year of ACVC Silver memberhsip

Person specification:

1. Training grade in cardiology/research fellows focused on acute cardiology and intensive care/early stage academic faculty (<35 years of age).
2. Previous publishing experience (a minimum of three publications in PubMed indexed journals).
3. Excellent written English.

Programme

This is a two-year programme. Applications are due on 1 March 2021.

The programme consists of:

1. Mentorship.
   The junior editors may propose a local/regional mentor or will be assisted in finding one.
   The ideal mentor's profile:
   
   • has a strong connection to the ACVC or to the EHJ-ACVC, for example, as a regular reviewer, editor, or member of the editorial board;
   • demonstrates excellent written English skills and;
   • will be responsible for a “first pass” critique of the junior’s reviews.
     
     
2. Teaching sessions.
   Two webinar sessions per year addressing various types of research methodology will be held:
   • Peer-review: tips from field experts for junior reviewers
   • A guide to performing a peer‑review of randomised controlled trials
   • Optimal strategies to consider when peer‑reviewing a systematic review and meta-analysis
   • How to spot a statistical problem: advice for a non-statistical reviewer
3. Feedback about submitted reviews.
   An EHJ-ACVC senior editor will provide constructive feedback on the submitted reviews.

Junior reviewers can express up to three areas of specific interest in acute cardiology and intensive care.

See topic list

Applications

All young cardioligists (below 35 yeras old) with an interest in the field of acute cardiovascular care can apply.

Fill-in the eform

• Provide a one-page CV
• You can propose a local mentor (at your same or nearby institution). If you do not have a proposed mentor, you can still apply, and we will help connect you with a personal mentor.
• Describe your interest in the EHJ-ACVC junior reviewer programme.
• Please mention your prior academic and/or clinical training, the reasons you are interested in applying
• Attached two academic letters of recommendation (n=2), one of the chair of the department of cardiology/critical care medicine/emergency medicine; one of a cardiologist, member of the European Society of Cardiology.

Junior reviewers are accepted into the programme at the annual ACVC congress (March) and expected to participate for two years.