The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) recognises the need to support researchers in academia, industry or elsewhere to maximise an individual’s research effectiveness and potential.
The People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel (PAT SAP) has a researcher subgroup that focuses on issues related to researcher careers and contributes to the development and implementation of BBSRC strategic programmes for researchers. The objectives of the subgroup are set out in the terms of reference.
The subgroup maintains a close relationship with PAT SAP to encourage a two-way conversation, ensuring consistency amongst discussions and that a researcher perspective is given to PAT SAP.
Topics discussed by the group
Examples of topics the subgroup has discussed:
- implementing UK Research and Innovation’s Concordat and Technician Commitment Action Plans for BBSRC and the biosciences
- researcher exchange programmes and their potential benefits and risks
- guidance for BBSRC fellowship applications
- mentoring and sponsoring of early career researchers: availability and best practice
- the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on researchers and how they can be supported
- equality, diversity and inclusion in bioscience researcher populations
- recognising informal supervision
- the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) narrative CV
Previous meetings
Alongside dedicated researcher subgroup meetings, our members are also invited to attend PAT SAP meetings when appropriate. Please see further details of the most recent researcher subgroup meetings below.
March 2023
This was the first meeting in over a year and so the group, which contained new members, were provided several updates on the subgroups operations.
One of the key discussions was the R4RI narrative CV, in which the subgroup provided thorough feedback, as per the request in the previous meeting. This feedback was collated and shared with the UKRI team responsible for the CV pilot.
The group also discussed in detail the topic of informal supervision, with a specific focus on their personal experiences and with the aim of gathering information for future discussions.
February 2022
The group revisited discussions surrounding the involvement of early career researchers (ECRs) on BBSRC panels and committees and were asked to provide feedback on what junior researchers could provide in these positions.
The group was introduced to policy labs and were invited to provide feedback on their usage moving forward. The group were also introduced to the R4RI narrative CV and BBSRC staff requested thorough feedback from the group on its usage.
December 2021
This meeting covered several updates pertaining to the subgroups operations, particularly recruitment and the approval of subgroup attendance payments.
The group discussed the researcher co-investigator role and the involvement of ECRs in BBSRC panels and committees.
The group also discussed researcher engagement strategies and were invited to provide advice and recommendations on how BBSRC could engage with the community.
May 2021
One of the key discussions from this meeting was a researcher exchanges project which was designed to invite feedback from individuals who had undertaken a Flexible Talent Mobility Accounts (FTMA).
The subgroup was invited to provide comments on the project and its findings. The group also discussed BBSRC’s plan to implement UKRI’s Researcher Concordat and Technician Commitment Action Plans. The group was invited to ask questions and provide feedback.
February 2021
The key discussions from this meeting were the FTMA and recommendations for building a successful Discovery Fellowship Application. The group were also consulted on recruitment approaches for the Subgroup and the formation of an ECR Forum.
For further information regarding PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup membership, please see our terms of reference or contact us via the details below.
Our members
Learn more about our PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup members: