MRC Training and Career Development Non-Clinical Panel Chair

• Closing date: 14 September 2025 11:59pm (BST)
• Number of positions: One
• Length of term: Two plus two years
• Time commitment: Two panel meetings per year, each typically last two full days
• Remuneration: Annual honoraria
• Interview: Dates and times available for interviews which will last 1 hour

  • Tuesday 3 December, 1pm to 4pm; • Thursday 5 December, 10am to 1pm; • Monday 16 December, 10am to 1pm

• Outcomes communicated: December 2025

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is seeking to appoint a new Chair for the Training and Careers Non-Clinical Panel to commence on 1 April 2026.

The Non-Clinical Panel assesses applications, spanning the full range of MRC’s work, to our Career Development Award fellowship scheme, for talented researchers to:

• lead their own research plans
• establish their own research team
• make the transition to independent researcher

The Chair will need to value and include diverse research expertise, backgrounds, experience levels and contributions to work together in assessment of each application and development and delivery of our wider training and careers strategy.

Who we’re looking for

Person specification

Candidates should have experience of leading a major research activity, or equivalent, and be proven strategic thinkers. They should have a passion for and track record of supporting researcher career development and training.

Applicants should demonstrate that they have the time and skills to contribute across a range of MRC strategic and governance issues and participate in active professional networks within the academic community.

Suitable candidates should demonstrate:

• a broad understanding of biomedical research and track record in conducting internationally leading-edge research
• a strong interest in supporting researcher career development and training
• proven ability to exercise judgment across a broad spectrum of policy and research issues
• experience of conducting peer review with a major funder for example, MRC, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK
• excellent communication skills and experience of chairing in a complex area
• ability to work effectively within the public sector’s requirements for accountability and openness, and within financial constraints

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 fellows@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:

• chairing the Training and Career Development Non-Clinical Panel meetings, ensuring decisions on funding proposals are credible and that all members’ views are considered in decision making
• contributing to the ongoing delivery of MRC’s Training and Career priorities ensuring both effective delivery of the broader MRC strategy across the panel remit and that funding decisions reflect strategic priorities
• contribute to key aspects of post award monitoring

Commitment

The Training and Career Development Non-Clinical Panel meets in person twice each year, with two-day meetings taking place in March and October. Typically, at each meeting, around 20 applications are assessed with candidates present for interview. Approximately six weeks prior to the panel meeting, the Chair will be required to lead a shortlisting meeting lasting up to four hours. These meetings are typically held virtually.

The Chair will also be involved in strategic decision making for training and careers participating in Task and Finish Groups when required.

It is essential that individuals should be able to commit the necessary time and attention to the role and have the full support of their employer and organisation in doing so.

Remuneration

Panel Chairs will receive an annual stipend plus a per day attendance fee. Travel and subsistence expenses (including family care costs) will be reimbursed.

How to apply

Apply using the form on the UKRI engagement hub by 14 September 2025 11:59pm.

Candidates will be invited to attend a virtual interview which will last up to one hour and include a presentation to the interview panel.

 

How we’ll assess your application

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

Decisions on appointment will be made by the end of December 2025. Applicants will be notified of the recruitment decisions shortly thereafter.

Further information

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.

The 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 a major funder (for example, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK) simultaneously.

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 or March 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

In addition to the induction meeting, the successful candidate will be expected to attend the following meetings:

• shortlisting meeting, virtual, 17 February 2026, to shadow the resigning Chair
• panel meeting, Caxton House, London on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March 2026, to shadow the resigning Chair
• 2026: shortlisting September (date TBC) and panel meeting 14 and 15 October 2026
• 2027: shortlisting February and September (dates TBC) and panel meetings 23 and 24 March 2027 and 13 and 14 October 2027
• 2028: shortlisting February and September (dates TBC) and panel meetings 21 and 22 March 2028 and 18 and 19 October 2028

Funding opportunities and recent awards

See full details about the scheme:

• Career development award (CDA)
• CDA and senior non-clinical fellowships: funding decisions

Further information can be found by entering award reference numbers on Gateway to Research.

 

Last updated: 14 July 2025