UK Research and Innovation, the UK’s leading research funding agency, is seeking to appoint Council members across six Councils: BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC. Each Council is led by an Executive Chair, supported by a Council of between five and 12 members.

The Councils have a pivotal role in ensuring the success of UK Research and Innovation, helping us to achieve our strategic objectives to be the single, strong voice of UK research and innovation, and building on our world-leading reputation. We work together in innovative ways to deliver an ambitious agenda, championing the creativity and vibrancy of disciplines and sector-specific priorities and communities.

Our Strategy 2022-2027 Transforming Tomorrow Together signals the start of an exciting new chapter in UKRI’s history, providing us with a five-year vision and unity of purpose to work  together with and for our many partners and stakeholders. It sets out how we will catalyse transformational change in the system and in how we work as an organisation.

Executive Chairs of councils will recommend new appointments to be approved by the UKRI Chief Executive Officer.

The Council members will between them have a broad range of expertise and experience in research and innovation across higher education, industry, commerce, policy and/or civil society and the relevant user communities for each Council, reflecting different characteristics and professional backgrounds. The exact membership will take into account the specific needs of each Council.

Medical Research Council

The Medical Research Council (MRC) funds research at the forefront of science to prevent illness, develop therapies and improve human health.

The heart of our mission is to improve human health through world-class medical research. To achieve this, we support research across the biomedical spectrum, from fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, and in all major disease areas. We work closely with the NHS and the UK health departments to deliver our mission and give a high priority to research that is likely to make a real difference to clinical practice and the health of the population.

How to Apply

Your application should consist of:

• A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements. Please provide details of your current remuneration and two professional referees together with a brief statement of the capacity and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
• A supporting statement (maximum two sides A4) highlighting your suitability and setting out, with clear examples, how you meet the essential criteria as highlighted in the Person Specification. Please note that the supporting statement is an important part of your application, it is an evidence-based document and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV. Please include where you heard about this role. E.g.: Perrett Laver, Councils’ publicity, Economist or Guardian Online, LinkedIn, Other - please specify

You will also be asked to complete a Diversity Monitoring Form as part of your application.

The deadline for applications is 9am GMT on Monday 2^nd October.

UKRI is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all. Applications from women, those with a disability, and members of minority ethnic groups, who are currently under-represented at senior levels in some sectors of the research and innovation community, are therefore especially encouraged. UKRI welcomes applicants from a wide range of professional backgrounds and would encourage applications from the business community.

Terms of Appointment

Time requirement: up to 20 days per year.

Remuneration: An annual honorarium payment of £6,850 will be paid to eligible Council members. This is premised on an expected 20 days’ contribution per year, to include regular meeting attendance. Government officials, civil or public, are not permitted to receive an honoraria payment.

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