BBSRC Follow-on Fund Committee Chair vacancy

• Closing date: 17 October 2024
• Number of positions: One
• Length of term: Three years commencing 1 January 2025
• Time commitment: Approximately 10 days per calendar year, including two Follow-on Fund Committee assessment meetings
• Remuneration: Attendance fee per meeting, for both in-person and virtual meetings

  Travel and subsistence for in-person meetings

• Interview date: To be confirmed
• Outcomes communicated: December 2024

We are inviting applications to join the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Follow-on Fund Committee as chair.

Who we're looking for

The BBSRC Follow-on Fund is dedicated to supporting researchers in translating their leading-edge bioscience into practical applications to generate real-world impact.

The programme enables researchers to engage in both technical and business development activities that are crucial for preparing a robust business plan and, where appropriate, securing further funding and support to advance their projects from the lab to the market to deliver significant commercial, social or economic benefits.

We are seeking a recognised leader with a proven track record in driving, supporting and enabling successful bioscience innovation to chair the assessment of Follow-on Fund applications.

Examples of experience from across the innovation system are welcome and can include but are not limited to:

• leading the technical development of products and services for defined customer base
• leading or supporting bio-based spin-out companies
• raising investment rounds
• serving on investment committees
• managing and facilitating the transfer of technology and innovations developed within publicly funded research environments into the private sector

In addition to these responsibilities, the chair will also be expected to provide strategic advice and support to BBSRC colleagues to ensure that the fund continues to meet the evolving needs of researchers and the broader innovation landscape.

Experience within BBSRC’s remit is essential. While prior experience chairing committees is advantageous, the key requirement is your ability to demonstrate leadership in bioscience innovation.

What you’ll be doing

You will be leading the Follow-on Fund Committee in:

• the assessment of Follow-on Fund applications to identify the highest quality projects for investment
• providing strategic advice on the development of the Follow-on Fund

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• attending two meetings annually to chair the assessment of applications submitted to the two rounds of BBSRC Follow-on Fund
• attending the chair’s briefing meetings with the BBSRC Knowledge Exchange Commercialisation Unit (KCU) prior to each committee assessment meeting
• facilitating fair and evidence-based assessment of applications and safeguarding the decision making of the committee
• asking questions of the introducers and the committee
• facilitating and encouraging discussion, rather than leading on the detailed assessment of applications
• effectively prioritising discussions to ensure assessment meetings run to schedule
• summarising the discussion and ensuring a consensus decision is reached
• engaging with BBSRC colleagues on the strategic development of the Follow-on Fund
• championing BBSRC’s support for bioscience innovation and translation

Find out more about BBSRC’s Follow-on Fund and committee membership.

How to apply

If you have any queries before applying, contact James Phillips by email: james.phillips@bbsrc.ukri.org

You will need to submit an application on the UK Research and Innovation Engagement Hub

The application form contains the following sections:

• personal information (for example name, organisation and contact details)
• diversity information
• free text sections, including evidence of how you meet the role profile requirements

The free text sections are to:

• briefly describe why you are interested in chairing the Follow on Fund committee, describing how your motivation for the role relates to your leadership and presence in the bioscience innovation community, and referring to the selection criteria described in the role profile requirements (maximum 300 words)
• demonstrate how you fit the criteria for this role, referring to the selection criteria as described in the role profile requirements, and provide evidence-based examples of how you meet each of them (maximum 1000 words)
• outline any current or previous memberships of panels or committees, providing details of how your previous experiences relate to the expected skills that are described in the role profile requirements (maximum 500 words)

If you have any queries or additional needs to enable you to complete the application form, contact research.committees@bbsrc.ukri.org

How we’ll assess your application

BBSRC staff will review and shortlist expressions of interest. The Appointments Assurance Committee may then interview shortlisted applicants.

In assessing applications, we will consider scientific expertise, diversity of people, and institutional and industry balance as part of the decision-making process.

Role profile requirements

Role profile for a candidate for the chairing team should meet the following requirements.

Essential criteria

You should:

• have demonstrable leadership and presence in the bioscience innovation community
• have an evidenced track record of working in the bioscience innovation and commercialisation system
• have practical experience of a range of bio-innovation areas and business models
• have demonstrable understanding of the innovation pipeline, including knowledge of the opportunities and challenges of taking a concept to market
• have experiences that relate to the key responsibilities and the expected skills of a chair

Expected skills

Chairing skills, including:

• impartiality
• objectivity
• facilitation skills
• good judgement
• confidence to propose actions or make decisions
• able to see the bigger picture
• quick thinking
• time management skills
• ability to support evidence-based decisions

Communication skills, including:

• ability to handle difficult conversations
• ability to ask challenging questions
• listening skills
• able to provide constructive feedback
• interviewing skills

Desirable criteria

You should have:

• previous experience of being on an assessment panel
• knowledge of BBSRC or UK Research and Innovation

We expect you to commit the necessary time and attention to your appointment and to have the full support or the necessary permission of your employer.

Further Information

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We recognise that diverse ideas, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are fundamental to successful science and innovation. We are committed to ensuring that our committees, panels and boards are inclusive, diverse and representative of the research community, and are developing diversity targets to support this.

We are committed to the principle of providing equal opportunities for all. Through this appointment activity, we aspire to increase the diversity of our advisory structures and welcome applications from all individuals and sections of the community.

An equality and impact assessment has been developed to support and inform applicants and ensure that we enable participation and attendance at meetings. We will also contribute towards additional costs for caring responsibilities to enable you to attend.

Contact the office if you wish to discuss this further.

To support us in assessing how effective our policies and procedures are in eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting opportunities, we ask that you provide diversity information that will be used anonymously by BBSRC for monitoring purposes.

This information will be treated in confidence by BBSRC and will not be used in the assessment of applicants.

Safeguarding good scientific practice

As a public investor in research, BBSRC aims to facilitate the highest standards for research integrity.

UK Research and Innovation is a signatory to the Concordat to Support Integrity.  BBSRC also implements the UKRI policy and guidelines on governance of good research, alongside our guidance on safeguarding good scientific practice.

Appointees to BBSRC committees and panels are expected to be aware of their obligations in regard to these policies.

Learn more about UKRI’s guidance and policies on research integrity and misconduct as part of UKRI’s good research resource hub.

You must declare if you are, or have been, subject to any current or past scientific misconduct investigations. BBSRC reserves the right to reject any application where such issues are considered an impediment to the individual holding a public appointment. This information will be treated in confidence.

Last updated: 18 September 2024