An open call to join the CMI editorial team: editor in clinical microbiology
Authors: Leonard Leibovici
Journal: Clinical Microbiology and Infection (2021)

Clinical Microbiology and Infection (CMI) is looking for an editor in clinical microbiology to join our editorial team. The new editor will need to deal mainly with diagnostic techniques for the clinical microbiology lab; and the organization of the lab. At CMI the topic was mostly the responsibility of Franz Allerberger. Franz joined the editorial board of CMI in 2003. He made a major contribution, both in serving as an editor for many articles that were submitted to us (and doing outstanding work on that), and shaping the journal's policies [1Leibovici L. Allerberger F. Cevik M. Huttner A. Paul M. Rodríguez-Baño J. et al.Submissions and publications in corona times.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020; 26: 803-804Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar, 2Leibovici L. Scudeller L. Kalil A. Huttner A. Leeflang M.M.G. Bielicki J. et al.Guidance on reporting multivariable regression models in CMI.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020; 26: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar, 3Allerberger F. Kern W.V. Bacterial bloodstream infection.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020; 26: 140-141Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar, 4Leeflang M.M.G. Allerberger F. Sample size calculations for diagnostic studies.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019; 25: 777-778Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar, 5Leeflang M.M.G. Allerberger F. How to: evaluate a diagnostic test.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019; 25: 54-59Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar]. His contribution was critical in 2020, during corona times. In September 2021 Franz is retiring from his ‘daily’ job at the Austria Agency for Health and Food Safety; and from CMI Board of Editors. Franz Allerberger attended Medical School from 1976 to 1982 at the University of Innsbruck. He received a Master of Public Health at the School of Public Health and Hygiene at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (Maryland) in 1994. He took up his residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of Tamsweg (Austria) 1982/83. From 1983 to 2003 he was working at the Microbiology Laboratory of the University of Innsbruck. In 1992 Franz was awarded the Venia Legendi for “Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine”, the title “a.o. Univ.-Prof.” in 1998, and the title “Univ.-Prof.” in 2006. He has been the Head of Division Area Human Medicine at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety in Vienna since 2003. It was a privilege and a pleasure for all of us (CMI editors) to work with Franz at CMI. With Franz's retirement we are looking for a person knowledgeable in diagnostic clinical microbiology techniques, both classical and new molecular ones; in bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Involvement in research is a requisite. What should you expect if you would join us as an editor? CMI editors participate in making decisions on the journal's policies. They attend meetings of the editorial team one or two times per year. Editors of CMI are assigned about four papers per month. They invite suitable peer-reviewers to write peer-reviews, judge the merits of the manuscript according to the reviews and make a decision whether to decline publication or ask for a revision. For papers with a high chance of publication, the editor will continue working with the author to improve the presentation of the results. Editors solicit reviews and commentaries. We estimate the work needed as 2–4 hours per week. Editorial work at CMI is voluntary and editors are not compensated for their time. The appointment is for 4 years, and can be extended for another term. As noted by Celine Pulcini, the experience can be rewarding [[6]Pulcini C. Being a CMI editor.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019; 25: 1449-1450Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar]. CMI is the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. It has an impact factor of 7.114. We are ranked fourth among infectious diseases journals. Our aims at CMI have been published [[7]Leibovici L. What are our aims at CMI?.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018; 24: 1225-1226Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar]: please read them before you apply to us. Why should you join us as an editor? The only working model (as of now) that brings research results to the people who are interested and can use them is through scientific journals. Improving the methods and the reporting of results is a worthy goal, and you can contribute by being an editor. We think the aims of ESCMID [[8]Poljak M. Akova M. Friedrich A.W. Rodríguez-Baño J. Sanguinetti M. Tacconelli E. et al.ESCMID-an international Europe-based society committed to fostering cross-border collaboration and education to improve patient care.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018; 24: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar] and CMI [[7]Leibovici L. What are our aims at CMI?.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018; 24: 1225-1226Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar] are worthwhile. To put forward your candidacy, please write to the Manager of CMI Office, Julia Friedman: [email protected] . Please send us your CV and list of publications; a one-page text summary of your research and clinical career, including future prospects; a one-page summary of your editorial experience and experience as a peer-reviewer; one page including three ideas of how to improve CMI; and two letters of recommendation focusing on your skills as a peer-reviewer and editor. Please write to us before September the 15th, 2021. We will make our decision by 1 November 2021. Please do not hesitate to write to us with any questions you might have.