MRC Experimental Medicine Panel Chair

• Closing date: 30 September 2024, 4:00pm UK time
• 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 date: Brief interview possible
• Outcomes communicated: Shortly after December 2024

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is seeking a new chair for its Experimental Medicine Panel to start on 1 April 2025.

The panel provides dedicated support for investigations on humans to further our understanding of human disease pathogenesis. It delivers investment in academically led projects that focus on a mechanistic hypothesis and informs the future development of targeted treatments.

The chair will need to value and include diverse research expertise, backgrounds, experience-levels and contributions to work together in assessing applications and developing wider strategy.

Who we’re looking for

Person specification

You should have experience of leading a major research activity, or equivalent, and be a proven strategic thinker. You should have a track record of undertaking and championing translational research.

You should demonstrate that you have the time and skills to contribute across a range of MRC strategic and governance issues and participate in active professional networks within the translational research community.

You should demonstrate:

• a broad understanding of biomedical research and experimental medicine studies in humans, with an extensive track record in academia or industry
• a keen interest in experimental medicine and a thorough understanding of the clinical research landscape, funding mechanisms and pathways required to undertake experimental medicine studies in humans
• proven ability to exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and research issues
• experience of conducting peer review with a major funder, for example, MRC, Wellcome, or 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
• commitment to the delivery of MRC’s mission and objectives

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.

If you have any questions, email: experimental.medicine@mrc.ukri.org

You must have both permission and support from your host institution or company before applying.

What you’ll be doing

Key aspects of the role

You will:

• chair all Experimental Medicine Panel meetings, ensuring decisions on funding applications are credible and that all members’ views are considered in decision making
• contribute to the ongoing development of MRC’s broader translational forward look strategy and ensure both effective delivery of MRC strategy across the panel remit and that funding decisions reflect strategic priorities
• have oversight of key aspects of post award monitoring

Commitment

The Experimental Medicine Panel meets twice each year, with two-day meetings taking place in June and December. Typically, around eight full applications and 20 outline applications are assessed at each meeting.

Experimental medicine projects are milestone driven with a high level of post award monitoring. Requests for changes to the timing, scientific plan or budget of project milestones are reviewed by MRC. Where appropriate, comment and approval is sought from members of the panel, with input required from the chair in some cases.

The chair will also be involved in strategic decision making for both experimental medicine and the wider MRC translational research remit.

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

Conflicts of interest

The public and parliament expect high standards of integrity. The panel chair role requires you to avoid situations in which your duties and other interests’ conflict with panel business or where there could be a suspicion of conflict.

You must not misuse information gained in the course of your work for MRC for personal gain or for political purpose. You must not use the opportunity of public service to promote your private interests, or those of connected organisations, persons or firms.

Previous experience with MRC or another major funder is required. However, you cannot be a member of a review panel for a major funder (for example, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK) simultaneously.

Remuneration

You 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

You should:

• complete and submit the application form by 30 September 2024, 4:00pm UK time
• attach a brief CV and a covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification, along with your motivation for applying

You may be invited to attend a brief interview.

A PDF version of the application form is available that lists the questions you will need to complete to submit your application.

How we’ll assess your application

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

Membership decisions will be made by the end of December 2024. You will be notified of the recruitment decisions shortly thereafter.

Further information

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 on 5 February 2025.

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, you will be expected to attend the upcoming panel meeting as the new chair on the following dates:

• 24 to 25 June 2025
• 3 to 4 December 2025

Funding opportunities and recent awards

See full details about the scheme: Experimental medicine: invited stage two application.

See recent Experimental Medicine Panel funding decisions.

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

Last updated: 30 August 2024