Become a preLighter and help shape the conversation around preprints

We are looking for new preLighters to join our community of early-career researchers. If you enjoy reading preprints, discussing new ideas and communicating science to a broad audience, we would love to hear from you.

preLighters highlight and discuss biological science preprints that capture their interest, helping researchers discover new work and fostering conversations between authors and the wider scientific community. Along the way, they develop their writing skills, build professional connections and gain experience engaging with research in (and beyond) their own field.

What does being a preLighter involve?

• Writing occasional posts about preprints of your choice
• Sharing your perspective on new research
• Interacting with authors and fellow researchers
• Contributing to an international community interested in preprints and open science

How to apply

Please send an email to prelights@biologists.com by 22 November 2026 with:

• A short biography
• A brief explanation of why you would like to become a preLighter
• A sample preLight post (maximum 800 words) on a biological sciences preprint posted after 1 September 2026

Not familiar with the format? Take a look at some of our recent preLights or visit our Become a preLighter page to learn more about the role.

We welcome applications from researchers across the biological sciences and from all backgrounds and career stages within the early-career researcher community.

Questions? Please feel free to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you.