UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Pool STRIKE: member vacancies

• Closing date: Open-ended
• Number of positions: Multiple
• Length of term: Three years with option to extend
• Time commitment: Varies based on availability and expertise
• Remuneration: This is not a salaried position, although reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be paid

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Digital Research Infrastructure Pool: Supporting Technical Review, Insight, Knowledge and Evaluation (STRIKE) is a newly established group.

The group provides independent, high-quality technical insight and advice to both the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) Programme team and the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Committee (DRIC).

As a STRIKE member, you will draw on your expertise to help ensure the technical feasibility and robustness of the UKRI DRI Programme’s plans and investments.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking individuals whose expertise and experience align with the goals of the UKRI DRI Programme.

We welcome applications from individuals with an excellent understanding and experience of using, planning or delivering state of the art digital research and innovation infrastructure in one or more of the following areas:

• data infrastructure
• large-scale computing
• secure services and tools for sensitive data
• DRI skills and career pathways
• DRI foundational tools, techniques and practices for example software, cybersecurity, and other critical elements that underpin digital infrastructure

You should also have a strong track record of achievement, appropriate to your career stage, in one or more of the following areas:

• higher education
• innovation and research organisations
• industry and commerce
• policy
• civil society

You should have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely.

You should also be able to assess the technical merit, feasibility and risks of complex digital research infrastructure proposals and provide high-quality input on emerging technical issues.

This opportunity is open to individuals across a broad range of backgrounds, including those working in academia, industry and as DRI professionals.

You do not need to meet every criterion if your expertise aligns with the goals of the UKRI DRI Programme and you’re confident contributing technical insight, we encourage you to apply.

We particularly value diverse perspectives and welcome applicants with interdisciplinary experience or a background in using, planning or delivering DRI.

We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including:

• women
• people from minority ethnic backgrounds
• disabled individuals
• those with long-term health conditions

We also welcome applicants currently on a career break or parental leave, as well as those based outside the UK.

Please note that conflicts of interest will be taken into account when inviting STRIKE members to participate in opportunities, so you may not be invited to all of them.

You are not eligible to apply to be a STRIKE member if:

• you are a current member of the UKRI Advisory Group for DRI (AGD)
• you are a current UKRI employee (but please note those employed by UKRI institutes are eligible to apply)

What you’ll be doing

STRIKE plays a critical role in ensuring the UKRI DRI Programme receives the high-quality technical insight and advice needed to realise its vision.

The programme’s vision is for a coherent, state-of-the-art national infrastructure that seamlessly connects researchers and innovators to the computers, data, tools, techniques and skills that underpin the most ambitious and creative research.

STRIKE members may be invited to:

• assess and provide feedback on submissions to the UKRI A Statement of Community Engagement and Needs for Digital Research Infrastructure (ASCEND) initiative.
• contribute expertise to time-limited task and finish groups, led by the UKRI DRI Programme Team or DRIC members
• conduct technical due diligence and value-for-money assessments of DRI Programme projects after they have been recommended by the UKRI AGD and approved the UKRI Executive Committee
• provide recommendations to the DRI Programme SRO to assure each initiative is clearly defined, well-designed and feasible
• contribute to peer review panels convened by the DRI Programme Team or DRIC to assess the quality and technical robustness of funding proposals
• participate in reviews of ongoing DRI Programme initiatives to assess technical risks and overall readiness to proceed. These reviews are intended to support informed decision-making and will complement council-level project boards.
• provide rapid input on ad hoc technical issues or questions raised by the DRI Programme Team, DRIC or other UKRI governance bodies

STRIKE is not a standing committee and does not hold regular full member meetings.

Membership to STRIKE does not guarantee involvement in specific activities as members will be selected on a case-by-case basis, depending on:

• the requirements of each task
• the relevance of expertise
• any conflicts of interest

Engagement may be regular or ad hoc and may take the form of:

• expert input sessions: joining meetings to provide technical advice and feedback on concepts or submissions (for example, to assess ASCEND submissions)
• task and finish groups: collaborative working groups focused on defined challenges led by the DRI Programme Team or DRIC (for example Task and Finish group to define the data lifecycle)
• technical review panels: small groups of members convened to assess specific DRI Programme initiatives, typically to conduct technical due diligence, value-for-money assessments, or programme-level reviews (for example, contributing expertise to a mid-term review of the DRI Programme)
• peer review panels: participating in formal review panels to evaluate proposals submitted to specific DRI funding calls. Members will assess proposals against defined criteria, such as technical merit, feasibility, scalability, and alignment with strategic objectives, and provide independent scores and recommendations to inform funding decisions.
• written reviews: remote evaluations or assessments submitted in writing, particularly when rapid turnaround is required or where scheduling a group meeting is not necessary

Due to STRIKE’s ad hoc nature and the diversity of requests, it is difficult to estimate an exact time commitment. However, participation will be manageable and entirely voluntary. Where possible, activities will be designed to respect member’s time and availability, with most engagements conducted remotely unless in-person involvement is essential.

Members will typically remain in the STRIKE Pool for an initial period of three years, with the option of extension. To maintain continuity and balance within STRIKE, the duration of service may be staggered, particularly for those members who are more frequently called upon.

Continued inclusion beyond the typical period of service, or early removal, will be at UKRI’s discretion. Members may also withdraw from STRIKE at any time by notifying the DRI Programme team.

STRIKE membership does not attract remuneration, however travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate in line with UKRI’s travel, subsistence and expenses policy.

How to apply

You can apply at any time by completing the online application survey on the UKRI Engagement Hub.

We only accept applications through the online application survey. We do not accept applications by email.

UKRI is Disability Confident Committed. We will do our best to support any particular requirements to enable you to apply.

Contact us at dri@ukri.org if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs or need further information on the role.

How we’ll assess your application

UKRI staff will review applications against the person specification outlined in the ‘Who we’re looking for’ section. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. If your application is accepted, you will receive an email confirmation that you are a STRIKE member.

Further information

The UKRI DRI Programme is a £129 million UKRI initiative to develop a coherent state-of-the-art national DRI. It will seamlessly connect researchers and innovators to the computers, data, tools, techniques and skills that underpin the most ambitious and creative research.

Refer to the terms of reference for STRIKE for further details.

Last updated: 25 September 2025