Mid-Range Equipment for Biomedical Research Panel Chair

• Closing date: 14 September 2025 at 11:59pm (UK time)
• Number of positions: One
• Length of term: Two years, plus additional two years after review
• Time commitment: One day per month including one shortlisting meeting and one panel meeting per year, plus preparation and reading time, as well as occasional ad hoc meetings
• Remuneration: Annual honoraria
• Interview: Dates and times available for interviews which will last one hour:

  3 November 2025, 1:30pm to 4:30pm

  13 November 2025, 09:30am to 12:30pm

  21 November 2025, 09:30am to 12:30pm

• Outcomes communicated: By mid-December 2025

The Medical Research Council (MRC) Equipment Panel plays a key role in providing vital funding for equipment to support world-class laboratories across the UK. Its primary function is to assess applications submitted to MRC’s annual mid-range equipment funding opportunity but may also assess other opportunities as required. The panel expertise spans the full breadth of MRC’s scientific remit.

The panel consists of technical, scientific and clinical experts from across the UK, including research technical professionals. Successful applicants will have a track record of supporting or delivering top quality research in an area of science relevant to MRC’s remit.

Who we’re looking for

Person specification

MRC is recruiting a Chair with a proven track record of conducting world-leading biomedical research and securing significant funding as project lead. The successful applicant will have:

• excellent communication skills
• evidence of experience as chair
• experience of conducting peer review for a major funder
• ability to work within the public sector’s requirements for accountability, openness, and within financial constraints
• commitment to MRC’s mission and broad objective
• broad technical expertise
• understanding of sustainable facility management.
• a strong interest in supporting research technical professional career development

Applicants interested in chairing the Equipment Panel should demonstrate that they have the time, commitment and skills to contribute across a range of MRC strategic and governance activities.

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of the members of its boards and panels and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all.

Email ca@mrc.ukri.org to discuss any questions you may have.

Applicants must have both permission and support from their host institution or company before applying.

What you’ll be doing

Key aspects of the role

You will be:

• attending meetings to discuss the funding opportunity review process with MRC Office staff
• chairing shortlisting and panel meetings
• attending ad-hoc meetings as required to support delivery of strategic activity within MRC remit

Commitment

The average time spent by members on board or panel work is about two days a month for all activities, however, meetings and preparatory work need to take place at specific times across the year. The majority of Equipment Panel activity takes place between December and May. The Chair will initially be appointed for two years. Tenure will be extended for a further two years following review by us and mutual agreement.

We ask all applicants to hold the induction and initial board and panel meeting dates for 2026 to ensure attendance if appointed. The induction meeting will be held in early 2026. Shortlisting and panel meeting dates will be April and May 2026 with specific dates confirmed with the successful applicant.

How to apply

Apply on the UKRI engagement hub. All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm (UK time) on 14 September 2025.

In addition to the information provided in the application, we may also use publicly available information, in line with the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), to assist with membership decisions.

How we’ll assess your application

We’ll assess your application for:

• a proven track record of conducting world-leading biomedical research
• evidence of securing significant funding as project lead
• excellent communication skills
• evidence of experience as chair
• broad technical expertise
• understanding of sustainable facility management
• experience of conducting peer review for a major funder
• ability to work within the public sector’s requirements for accountability, openness, and within financial constraints
• commitment to MRC’s mission and broad objective
• demonstrate that they have the time, commitment and skills to contribute across a range of MRC strategic and governance activities
• a strong interest in supporting research technical professional career development

Further information

We welcome applications from biomedical researchers and research technical professionals. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with clinical qualifications or from allied health professionals.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make our recruitment processes as well as participation on our boards and panels accessible to all, and this includes making reasonable adjustments for individuals who identify as disabled, neurodiverse or as having a long-term condition.

If you have any queries regarding the application process or if you would like this application in a different format (for example accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille), email: mrc.eventsandcommitteesteam@mrc.ukri.org.

Induction for successful candidate

As part of the preparation for their tenure, all new board and panel members are expected to attend an induction meeting in February 2026.

The induction meeting will be an opportunity for you to meet:

• the MRC Executive Chair
• other senior MRC staff
• your board or panel chair and support teams

The induction meeting enables us to provide guidance on:

• your role
• an overview of MRC, its strategic ambitions, functions and methods of operation where these relate to the work of the research boards and panels

Conflicts of interest

The high standards of integrity expected by the public and parliament, and the role requires the Panel Chair to avoid situations in which their duties and other interests’ conflict with panel business or where there could be a suspicion of conflict.

Panel Chair must not misuse information gained in the course of their work for the MRC for personal gain or for political purpose, nor seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their private interests, or those of connected organisations, persons, or firms.

Although previous experience with the MRC or another major funder is required, a panel chair cannot be a member of a review panel for another major funder (for example, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK) simultaneously.

Remuneration

In addition to an annual honorarium, an allowance is payable per day for participation in meetings (the current rate is £200 per day). Travel (standard class) and subsistence expenses (including additional family care costs) will be reimbursed as appropriate.

Last updated: 14 July 2025