BBSRC People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel Researcher Subgroup: member vacancies

• Closing date: 7 August 2025
• Number of positions: Eight
• Length of term: Three years
• Time commitment: Four days per year
• Remuneration: £170, plus travel and subsistence cover where required. Caring costs incurred due to attending subgroup meetings can be expensed
• Outcomes communicated: September 2025

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) would like to invite members of the bioscience research community to join our People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel (PAT SAP) Researcher Subgroup.

The Researcher Subgroup focuses on issues related to the careers and development of early career researchers and equivalent roles working within the biosciences, and to help shape BBSRC strategy for supporting these individuals.

Who we're looking for

BBSRC invites applications to join the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup: People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel subgroups. We are seeking up to eight independent members to join the advisory group.

Eligibility

Our current Researcher Subgroup membership includes individuals representing the following:

• postdoctoral researchers (academia or industry)
• early career researchers (academia or industry)
• early career fellows such as BBSRC Discovery Fellows
• individuals employed mainly or solely to conduct research, whether in academia, industry, policy, enterprise, business or innovation sectors
• individuals who are in the first years of their career after their PhD (academia, industry, policy, enterprise, business or innovation sectors)

We welcome applications from individuals who fulfil these criteria, but we would also like to expand our eligibility to include the following:

• David Phillips Fellows or UKRI Future Leader Fellows
• individuals who oversee and coordinate research, for example, research development managers, research policy and governance roles
• individuals who are in the first years of their career and are beginning to establish their own research independence, for example New Investigators

We particularly encourage applications from researchers based in industry, policy, enterprise, business or innovation sectors.

BBSRC are not looking for the following roles to join the Researcher Subgroup:

• individuals employed in a position where managerial responsibilities are the primary responsibility of their employment rather than research
• research technical professionals; we value strategic advice from this community, however, we already have a dedicated PAT SAP Subgroup for research technical professionals

For more information, see People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel subgroups or contact technicalresearchers@bbsrc.ukri.org.

Applicants are expected to work on or support research within the BBSRC remit. If you are unsure whether the research that you conduct or support aligns with BBSRCs remit, see our portfolio.

Members working in industry should either:

• be working within BBSRC remit, ideally for a company with which BBSRC has an established relationship, or a company with intent to develop a collaborative partnership with BBSRC
• have been supported by BBSRC during their PhD

Members that have moved out of the traditional academic career route into policy, enterprise, business or innovation should still be operating within BBSRCs remit or have experience of working on a BBSRC remit related project. This could be either during their PhD, postdoctoral researcher position or on a BBSRC-funded grant at their institution; for example, working in a Technology Transfer Office at a university or at an Innovation Centre that may have applied for funding from BBSRC.

Members who are not directly undertaking research but instead oversee and coordinate it, for example research development managers and project managers, should be associated with and have expertise in BBSRC remit relevant research.

We welcome applications from all organisations. However, due to existing membership and in the interests of ensuring fair community representation, we are unlikely to accept further appointments to the panel from applicants employed by:

• Diamond Light Source
• Imperial College London
• Newcastle University
• University of Cambridge
• University of Leeds
• University of Oxford
• University of Warwick

Exceptions will be made if there is a compelling strategic case, such as greatly differing scientific expertise or role type.

If you have any queries relating to your eligibility for the Researcher Subgroup,  contact emily.finnegan@bbsrc.ukri.org for more information.

A detailed person criteria, listing the skills and attribute sought in subgroup members, can be found in the ‘How we will assess your application’ section.

What you'll be doing

The Researcher Subgroup focuses on issues related to researcher careers and contributes to the development and implementation of BBSRC strategic programmes for researchers.

Examples of topics the subgroup has discussed include:

• implementing UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) People and Teams Action Plan for BBSRC and the biosciences
• strategic development of researcher exchange programmes, including BBSRC’s Flexible Talent Mobility Accounts
• developing BBSRC’s fellowships strategy
• mentoring and sponsoring of early career researchers
• 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 template

The role of the subgroup is to act as a critical friend to BBSRC and provide valuable consultation on our practices, investments and policies relating to the careers of researchers within the biosciences. The objectives for the Researcher Subgroup can be found in the terms of reference.

Membership and time commitment

Standard term length is three years, one year in the first instance with an anticipated extension if mutually agreed to a full term of three years.

The term can be extended further in exceptional circumstances, up to a maximum of six years.

We estimate the time commitment to be four days per year for meetings, preparation and additional responsibilities, for example, ad hoc strategic advice for UKRI and BBSRC or attending PAT SAP meetings.

Meeting frequency will be determined by business needs and agenda items put forward by both BBSRC office and subgroup members. Meetings are currently held online via Microsoft Teams and are half-day meetings. Researcher Subgroup members are also invited to attend and present to the PAT SAP group when appropriate.

Travel expenses

For in-person meetings, reasonable travel expenses can be reimbursed. Reimbursement can also cover any care arrangements for dependents which you may require to be able to travel.

Attendance fees

In return for your time investment and professional commitment to researcher subgroup business, BBSRC can offer payments of £170 for each meeting attended. A minimum of one hour attendance duration is required to qualify for the payment.

How to apply

To apply, complete an online application via the UK Research and Innovation Engagement Hub.

The deadline for applications is 7 August 2025 at 4:00pm UK time.

Before you apply, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the aims and objectives of the Researcher Subgroup as set out in the terms of reference, and take a look at the following to familiarise yourself with the wider strategy relating to this area:

• UKRI people and teams action plan
• BBSRC equality, diversity and inclusion action plan
• The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

If you have any queries regarding the Researcher Subgroup or your application, contact us via email: emily.finnegan@bbsrc.ukri.org

How we'll assess your application

Applications to the Researcher Subgroup will be initially sifted by BBSRC staff. The applications will then be assessed by the Chair of the People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel and the Interim Associate Director for People and Talent at BBSRC.

Candidates will be assessed against the relevant experience outline in the  ‘Who we’re looking for’ section and the person criteria listed below:

Person criteria

The attributes of members we are seeking are described in the following as either ‘essential’ (E) or ‘desirable’ (D).

Please note that it is not expected that all the experiences and attributes below will be found in each member, particularly where individuals are early in their career. This includes attributes listed as ‘essential’. Therefore, having gaps in the following criteria may not adversely affect your application, and we strongly encourage such individuals to apply.

Motivation:

• motivation to join the researcher subgroup (E)
• genuine interest in effecting change and influencing BBSRC strategy (E)

Expertise:

• skills and expertise relevant to the Researcher Subgroup as outlined in the ‘Who we are looking for’ section (E)
• ability to work collaboratively and productively with other panel members (E)
• awareness, engagement and implementation of EDI in relation to bioscience (D)

Strategy and policy development:

• knowledge and experience of policy or strategy development across key biosciences stakeholders, for example, government, UKRI, industry or third sector (D)
• previous experience of working with BBSRC or UKRI (D)

Vision:

• knowledge and understanding of the bioscience landscape in the UK and internationally, and an understanding of the challenges facing researchers within the biosciences, both broadly and relating to your own area of expertise (E)

Additional information:

• applicants should include any further information that could strengthen their application or any further information that they would like to share regarding career breaks

Appointments will be offered based on:

• this assessment
• the need to balance the overall expertise of the Researcher Subgroup
• the need to maintain a diversity of institutions represented
• the need to ensure appointments to the Researcher Subgroup are in line with UKRI’s EDI policy

We will ensure equality and diversity in the group including diversity of individuals through career, demography, and location alongside diversity of thought. We aim to have a representative group of the biological sciences sector and aim to work proactively to ensure representation and inclusivity of opportunity.

Further information

EDI

We recognise that diverse ideas, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are fundamental to successful science and innovation. We are committed to making sure our committees, panels and boards are inclusive, diverse and representative of the research community.

We are committed to the principle of providing equal opportunities for all. Through this appointment, we aspire to increase the diversity of our advisory structures and welcome applications from all individuals and sections of the community.

We welcome applications from any individuals who feel they meet the requirements. In order to maintain a diverse panel, we particularly welcome applications from women, those with a disability, those that identify as being members of an ethnic minority group, or of the LGBTQ+ community.

An equality impact assessment has been developed to support and inform applicants of how we consider and minimise barriers to participation through reasonable adjustments. For example, we will contribute towards additional costs for caring responsibilities to enable you to attend meetings.

If you feel further reasonable adjustments could be made to support you in your application or potential membership, do not hesitate to contact the office.

Email: emily.finnegan@bbsrc.ukri.org

To support us in assessing how effective our policies and procedures are in eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting opportunities, we ask you to provide diversity information that will be used anonymously by BBSRC for monitoring purposes.

This information will be treated in confidence by BBSRC and will not be used in the assessment of applications.

Career breaks and flexible working

Time spent outside the active research and business environment, whether through career breaks or flexible working can be considered in the assessment process, should the applicant wish to indicate any substantive periods of absence within their application.

However, please be reminded that we welcome applications from researchers of all career stages, and applicants should not be deterred from applying if they do not meet all the criteria outlined above.

Data protection

The data you provide will be used as part of the BBSRC Researcher Subgroup recruitment process.

We will use your details to inform you about the outcome of your application and, if you are successful, to liaise with you about your membership.

The EDI profile information will be separated from the selection process. It will be used for monitoring purposes and will have no bearing on the decision made regarding your application.

The information you provide will be used to check whether we have reached a representative section of society and help us identify inequalities.

Personal information will not be used for any other purpose without your consent.

Your data will be managed in line with UK data protection legislation and handled securely.

For further information on how your data will be used, how we maintain the security of your information, and your rights to access information we hold on you, see UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) privacy notice.

Principles of public life

We have adopted a code of practice for all those who assist in the work of BBSRC. It embraces the Seven Principles of Public Life drawn up by the Nolan Committee and endorsed by Parliament.

Safeguarding good scientific practice

As a public investor in research, BBSRC aims to facilitate the highest standards for research integrity.

UKRI is a signatory to the Concordat to support research integrity.

BBSRC also implements the UKRI policy and guidelines on governance of good research, alongside our guidance on safeguarding good scientific practice.

Appointees to BBSRC Strategy Advisory Panels are expected to be aware of their obligations in regard to these policies.

Learn more about UKRl’s guidance and policies on research integrity and misconduct as part of UKRl’s good research resource hub.

You must declare if you are, or have been, subject to any current or past scientific misconduct investigations. We reserve the right to reject any application where such issues are considered an impediment to the individual holding a public appointment. This information will be treated in confidence.

Last updated: 23 June 2025