Advise UKRI and the councils

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

MRC Infections and Immunity Board Chair vacancy

Closing date: 27 June 2022, 16:00 UK time
Candidates selected for interview: Late July – early August 2022
Start date: 1 April 2023

The Medical Research Council’s (MRC) 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 £30-40m to support new research; they also play a key role in the development of MRC’s scientific strategy.

MRC is currently looking for a new chair for the Infections and Immunity Board to commence their appointment on 1 April 2023.

Key aspects of the role include:

ensure effective delivery of MRC scientific strategy through funding decisions, in conjunction with Research Programmes Group (RPG) staff
working with the Board and Head Office staff, ensure that the MRC strategy relevant to IIB is aligned to the evolving landscape and maximises opportunities for the UK research community
membership of MRC Strategy Board and MRC Major Investments Board, which are chaired by the Executive Chair and is responsible for developing and refining MRC’s overarching strategy
provide scientific oversight and direction for MRC units, centres, and initiatives with activities relevant to the IIB portfolio.

Find out more: MRC Infections and Immunity Board Chair vacancy

BBSRC Pool of Experts and Follow-on Fund Committee

Closing date: 25 May 2022, 16:00 UK time
Outcomes communicated: Mid December 2022
Time commitment: Up to three meetings per year for the Pool of Experts and up to two meetings per year for the Follow-on Fund Committee
Number of positions: 100 for the Pool of Experts and six for the Follow-on Fund Committee
Length of service: Up to three years
Member induction and training: January or February 2023 (to be confirmed)

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

Members of our Pool of Experts and Follow-on Fund Committee provide expert knowledge and insight to ensure that we invest in important and high-quality research, innovation and training in the biosciences.

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

As part of this programme, we aspire to better reflect the diversity and experience across the breadth of the bioscience community, spanning academia, industry and policy.

Travel and subsistence will be paid for both committees, along with an attendance fee of £170 per meeting.

Find out more: BBSRC Pool of Experts and Follow-on Fund Committee

NERC Digital Research Infrastructure Investment Board (DRIIB)

Closing date: 25 April 2022, 16:00 UK time
Panel and interview date: Week commencing 16 May 2022
Time commitment: Two to four meetings per year, plus reading time
Number of positions: Four
Length of service: Three years
Start date: Late May 2022

DRIIB is a new governance group of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It provides the NERC Executive with independent advice and recommendations on the strategic direction and investments associated with NERC’s digital research infrastructure portfolio.

NERC is currently seeking applicants with scientific, technical and digital infrastructure expertise to join DRIIB. Members will:

maintain strategic oversight of the NERC digital research infrastructure portfolio and ambitions, within the context of the UK digital research infrastructure landscape
make recommendations and support decision making on digital research infrastructure, aligned with NERC and UKRI strategic drivers and the needs of the environmental science community
consider and advise on opportunities, challenges and risks which may arise in the digital research infrastructure portfolio
support NERC in successfully implementing its delivery plan and forthcoming digital strategy through recommendations and progress monitoring
make appropriate recommendations to ensure that NERC’s data and compute policies remain fit for purpose
support effective engagement between NERC, UKRI and the research and stakeholder communities, including users of NERC’s digital infrastructure and users of research.

Find out more: NERC DRIIB: membership vacancies.

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.

Find out more: Early career researchers: we want to hear from you.

Last updated: 10 May 2022