Advise UKRI and the councils

Current opportunities

Current opportunities to join an advisory committee, panel or network.

MRC Expert External Reviewer Selectors vacancies

Closing date
29 June 2023
Number of positions
Up to three
Length of term
Up to the individual (there will be a probationary three-month period and contracts are renewed every 12 months)
Time commitment
Up to the individual (dependent on expertise matching and capacity, selectors can choose how many applications they take on)
Remuneration
£110 for standard grants
£145 for more complex grants
Interview date
July, dates to be confirmed. Interviews will be via Zoom
Outcomes communicated date
Two to three weeks after interview

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is seeking to contract Expert External Reviewer Selectors (EERS) for our research boards and panels.

As part of MRC’s peer review process, research, fellowship and strategic applications are assessed by independent expert reviewers. These reviewers are selected by EERS.

MRC aims to secure three independent expert reviews for each application. Five reviews are sought for larger-scale, more complex or interdisciplinary applications.

EERS will often be expected to cover several research areas within a single application, and we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with expertise in the following areas:

  • bioengineering and bioelectronics
  • epidemiology
  • digital health with a focus on translational research
  • medical devices or technology
  • population health
  • data science (including data management, federation and linkage)
  • renal

We would also welcome applications from candidates who feel able to select reviewers across a broad range of biomedical research topics.


UKRI Research Organisation Consultation Group members

Closing date
15 May 2023
Length of term
Four years
Time commitment
Three to four days per year
Outcomes communicated
16 June 2023

The Research Organisation Consultation Group (ROCG) provides UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with insights and advice from a research and innovation management perspective on policies, processes and administrative arrangements associated with grants, fellowships and studentships.

As a member of the group you will have the opportunity to feed into areas of strategic importance to UKRI. You will draw on your knowledge, experience and networks to ensure that UKRI is hearing feedback from the research organisation community.


BBSRC Pool of Experts and Follow-on Fund Committee: member vacancies

Closing date
24 May 2023
Number of positions
80 for Pool of Experts
3 for Follow-on Fund Committee
Length of term
Standard term length is three years (one year in the first instance with an automatic extension to a full term)
Time commitment
Pool of Experts: up to three meetings a year (each lasting one day)

Follow-on Fund Committee: two meetings a year (each lasting one day)

Remuneration
Travel and subsistence will be paid, along with attendance fee per meeting
Outcomes communicated
Early December 2023

We are inviting expressions of interest to join:

  • Pool of Experts
  • Follow-on-Fund Committee

Peer review is a vital part of the decision making process that supports our investment in bioscience.

Members of our assessment Research Committees and the Pool of Experts provide expert knowledge and insight to ensure that we invest in important and high-quality research, innovation and training in the biosciences.

Through this role, members also gain insight into the future direction of bioscience research and innovation.


Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group

Closing date
6 June 2023 at 11:59pm UK time
Number of positions
8 to 10
Length of term
All initial appointments will be made for the period July 2023 to December 2025
Time commitment
Initial meeting on 20 July 2023, with further meeting in autumn 2023
Remuneration
£170 per day (members), £230 per day (chair)
Outcomes communicated
Expected to be week commencing 10 July 2023

Research England invites applications to join the newly established Research England Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Expert Advisory Group.

The purpose of the EDI Expert Advisory Group is to provide expert external advice and guidance to Research England on its approach to supporting and improving EDI in the higher education sector in England.


UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College

Closing date
20 June 2023
Number of positions
200
Length of term
Two years
Time commitment
Four to eight days per year
Remuneration
Yes £160 per day of panel attendance (£220 per day for Chairs)
Interview date
Not applicable
Outcomes communicated date
21 July 2023

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are inviting applications for a new Interdisciplinary Assessment College to support the new cross research council responsive mode pilot scheme.

This a unique opportunity to be part of an important new approach to funding interdisciplinary research.

Applications are open to everyone with experience of interdisciplinary research, from academic and non-academic backgrounds (including business, public and third sector organisations), and from across the diverse range of roles needed for successful research (for example, technicians and professional services).

Colleagues from early, mid and late career stages are welcome to apply.


MRC Population and Systems Medicine Board Chair

Closing date
26 June 2023 at 4:00pm
Number of positions
One
Length of term
Four years
Time commitment
Two days per week
Remuneration
Board Chairs will receive an annual stipend and their employer will be remunerated in recognition of the time spent on MRC business. Travel and subsistence expenses (including family care costs) will be reimbursed
Interview date
Mid-September 2023
Outcomes communicated date
October 2023

The Medical Research Council (MRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is a publicly funded organisation, supporting high-quality research and training across the medical research spectrum, from fundamental lab-based studies to population level research.

MRC’s five research boards are a primary means through which the MRC discharges its mission. Comprised of independent experts from across the UK and international landscape, the boards oversee the MRC’s scientific portfolio and each board has an annual budget of around £30 million to £40 million to support new research. They also play a key role in the development of MRC’s scientific strategy.

Board chairs are normally appointed for four-year terms and MRC is currently looking for a new chair for the Population and Systems Medicine Board (PSMB), with their appointment to commence on 1 April 2024.


MRC Neurosciences and Mental Health Board Chair vacancy

Closing date
4:00pm, 26 June 2023
Number of positions
One
Length of term
Four years
Time commitment
Two days per week
Remuneration
Board Chairs will receive an annual stipend and their employer will be remunerated in recognition of the time spent on MRC business. Travel and subsistence expenses (including family care costs) will be reimbursed.
Interview date
Mid-September 2023
Outcomes communicated date
October 2023

The Medical Research Council (MRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is a publicly funded organisation, supporting high-quality research and training across the medical research spectrum, from fundamental lab-based studies to population level research.

MRC’s five research boards are a primary means through which the MRC discharges its mission. Comprised of independent experts from across the UK and international landscape, the boards oversee the MRC’s scientific portfolio and each board has an annual budget of around £30 to 40 million to support new research. The boards also play a key role in the development of MRC’s scientific strategy.

Board chairs are normally appointed for four year terms and MRC is currently looking for a new chair for the Neurosciences and Mental Health Board, with their appointment to commence on 1 April 2024.


Early Career Researcher Forum

Closing date
N/A – always open
Time commitment
Up to the individual
Number of positions
Unlimited

Our Early Career Researcher Forum will allow you to connect with other researchers and have your say on what matters to you.

By joining, you will become part of a community that:

  • lets you input into UKRI’s strategy, policy development and decision making
  • connects you with UKRI and our partners
  • allows you to interact and build relationships with your peers, connecting you with people from a diverse range of backgrounds

Recent vacancy opportunities

STFC advisory body and peer review panel vacancies 2023
STFC Science Board (Facilities and Laboratories) Chair and Deputy Chair
STFC Science Board (PPAN) members
NERC Science Committee Membership
UKRI Non-Executive Council Members
Innovate UK Loans Limited: independent Credit Committee member
MRC ‘Black in Biomedical Research’ Advisory Group
UKRI Talent Panel College
UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Committee
Applied Global Health Research Board Chair
EPSRC representative to the CECAM council
Expanding Excellence in England independent assessment panel
Museums, Galleries and Collections Fund review 2023 panel
UKRI NICER Programme: Strategic Advisory Group membership vacancies
People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel Researcher Subgroup vacancies
NERC UK Geoenergy Observatories Project Science Advisory Group
NERC Digital Research Infrastructure Investment Board: membership vacancies

Last updated: 18 May 2023

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback.