STFC Education Training and Careers Committee: member vacancies

• Closing date: 27 April 2026
• Number of positions: Two
• Length of term: Three years
• Time commitment: The committee meets three times a year.
• Remuneration: £170 per day
• Interview date: N/A
• Outcomes communicated: September to October 2026

We invite applications to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Education Training and Careers Committee. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of studentships and fellowships policy and strategy.

The committee provides advice to STFC Science Board and the STFC Executive on strategy, policies, and programme balance for all aspects of education and training relevant to the STFC programme. This includes studentships, fellowships, equality issues and career development of early career researchers.

Who we’re looking for

This opportunity welcomes applicants from different career stages and diverse backgrounds who can demonstrate the appropriate skills, expertise and experience listed in the criteria.

STFC is inviting applications from individuals, particularly with the following areas of expertise:

• industry
• nuclear physics
• astronomy extragalactic

We welcome applications from all organisations. However, in the interests of ensuring fair community representation, and recognising existing membership, unless there is a compelling strategic case, we are unlikely to accept further appointments to the committee for this recruitment round from applicants employed by:

• The University of Manchester
• University of Edinburgh
• University College London
• University of Glasgow
• Durham University
• University of Liverpool

What you’ll be doing

The committee oversees:

• the allocation of STFC Landscape doctoral awards
• the peer review and award of fellowships and collaborative studentships
• the quality of training and culture supported by these programmes

Key areas of responsibility of the committee are to:

• advise the Executive Board and Science Board PPAN (particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics) on the mission, vision and high-level objectives for education, training and careers within STFC’s remit, including on relevant policies and strategies
• bring best practice in STFC education, training and careers for the benefit of the programme
• receive reports from the STFC Executive on programme elements and their impact and advise on the development of metrics and the evaluation of the programme. Education Training and Careers Committee will take into account the learning obtained from the programmes of partner organisations in the UK and abroad as appropriate
• oversee the allocation of STFC Studentships, the peer review of fellowships, summer schools, long term attachments and the quality of training provided by these programmes
• consider the skills needs of National Laboratories
• advise on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues relevant to early career researchers

Committee members are expected to:

• be able to meet the commitments and attendance requirements of the committee
• work constructively in the area of the committee’s work
• represent a balance across disciplines, experiments, and institutions
• follow UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and STFC EDI principles and procedures

Our handbook for members of STFC advisory bodies will help you to understand our expectations of a panel member. The handbook also includes useful information on other topics, such as:

• equality and diversity
• conflicts of interest
• confidentiality
• our policy on travel, subsistence, and remunerated meeting fees

How to apply

Read the application guidance documents, which include:

• a preview of the application form
• testimonies from members of STFC panels, boards and committees

Apply using the online form on the UKRI Engagement Hub

The application form will ask for your personal details, which panel or committee you wish to apply for, followed by a question for each of the assessment criteria as outlined in the ‘How we’ll assess your application’ section.

If you have any queries or additional needs to enable you to complete the application form, email: fellowships@stfc.ac.uk

 

How we’ll assess your application

We will make appointments with reference to the assessment criteria. We will consider factors such as the overall application score, panel expertise requirements, and EDI principles.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria.  Demonstrate how you meet the criteria in your application:

• experience and interest in strategy and policy with respect to early careers including doctoral and other early careers, for example fellowships
• experience of EDI aspects, particularly as applied to early careers
• knowledge of PPAN science areas and STFC strategy
• experience of assessing grant applications or peer review, particularly for early career applicants such as fellowships
• any further information that could strengthen the application

Further information

Contact: Nikki Cholod

Email: nikki.cholod@stfc.ukri.org

We are committed to the principles of fair and transparent decision-making, promoting EDI. In addition to UKRI principles on EDI, STFC continues to develop a range of measures and objectives around EDI. We have undertaken an equality, diversity and inclusion impact assessment for this opportunity, see application guidance documents.

Appointments to the advisory panel are made on merit. However, we are keen to maintain diversity in its membership. We especially welcome applications from:

• women
• those with a disability
• members of minority ethnic groups

Last updated: 16 June 2026