Benefits of Becoming an MDPI Early Career Editorial Board Member

Olivia Christopher22 July 2026 Academic Resources, Journals

Benefits of Becoming an MDPI Early Career Editorial Board Member

Throughout a researcher’s academic journey, it is crucially important for researchers to pick up valuable insights into the publishing process such as how to write, submit and review manuscripts. However, gaining a deeper understanding of publication ethics and best practices from an editor’s perspective can be more challenging.

Joining a supporting role as an Early Career Editorial Board Member (ECEBM) is a way for early career researchers (ECRs) to gain more insight into journal management responsibilities, develop a deeper understanding of the publishing process and engage with the community and senior Editorial Board members (EBMs).

This article details the benefits and responsibilities that come with being an Early Career Editorial Board Member for MDPI.

Eligibility

Early Career Editorial Board Members should be academics at an early stage of their career with sufficient academic experience to contribute towards the development of a journal. To be eligible for this position as an editor supporting an MDPI journal, ECRs must meet the criteria set out by the journal in question. This may include:

Research interest falls within the scope of the journal with evidence of significant research achievements within the field;
Achieved a PhD in the past 10 years (considering exceptions for career interruptions, including medical and family leave);
Willingness to dedicate time to the development of the journal with passion and enthusiasm;
Be active and engaged in their community (e.g., experienced at presenting at academic conferences or involved in professional organisations).

Responsibilities

ECEBMs are recruited and selected by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members; however, some journals have an open call for ECRs to apply with a limited number being appointed by the Editor-in-Chief. ECRs often bring new perspectives, energy, and their specific research expertise to support the Editorial Board and increase the reach of the journal across their scientific community. Their role is crucial to upholding the standards and reliability of science published in their respective fields.

The main responsibilities of the ECEBM are detailed as follows:

Promote the journal at academic conferences and among their peers;
Identify high-quality articles and prepare bilingual media content for promotion;
Review at least four manuscripts per year;
Provide constructive input on any new initiatives for continuous journal development;
Invite submissions from world-leading scientists in the respective research fields;
Subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief, complete editorial pre-check and validate reviewers.

Experience as an ECEBM also comes with the opportunity to participate in peer review, a crucial process for upholding the integrity of scientific publishing. Researchers can greatly benefit from learning about the editorial side of peer review, including industry standards that editors are expected to maintain.

As a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), MDPI closely follows COPE principles, core practices, and guidelines.

This means ECEBMs will gain experience understanding and adhering to COPE’s guidelines and MDPI’s principles of prevention, neutrality, transparency, and consistency.

Benefits

Engaging ECRs to support the journal and Editorial Board can be highly beneficial for both researchers and journals in numerous ways.

It can improve community involvement, deepen understanding of the publishing experience, have a positive impact on both the journal and researcher’s reputations and grow their respective scientific networks.

It also provides valuable experience that further expands a researcher’s understanding of work happening in their fields, which can spark new and exciting research ideas.

Networking and community

Working with a journal, even in a supporting editor role, can help to expand professional networks, which is an essential factor in career development. This allows researchers to make valuable connections, including with internationally influential researchers, within their field, increasing their visibility.

Research has found that larger professional networks and access to mentorship at early stages supports long-term career progression. As Editorial Boards comprise a diverse group of senior academics with more insight and experience than ECRs, joining a journal team with a strong Editorial Board provides ECRs with a direct opportunity to find mentors amongst likeminded people.

This, in turn, increases the opportunities available to ECRs to collaborate with and learn from senior academics. As members of a board, ECRs can participate in or host annual meetings and online seminars organised by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members.

Making an impact

Having a positive impact on a journal can nurture a strong professional reputation for subject expertise and a commitment to specific disciplines, establishing ECEBMs as researchers that are keen to engage with the research community and contribute towards scientific progress.

MDPI journals regularly acknowledge those who participate in the peer review process on the journal’s website, and the bios of ECEBMs will be publicised on journal social media platforms to boost academic visibility.

MDPI’s commitment to supporting ECRs

MDPI has refined the structure of its supporting editor roles to ensure that they maintain high quality and consistency and welcomes the addition of ECRs to its journal teams across numerous journals.