The CAB will advise the STFC Executive on the strategy and management of requirements for digital research infrastructure (DRI) activities and any related issues and opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to:
- high performance and high throughput computing
- data and data storage
- skills
- security
- data network
- people
These elements will support the STFC science and facilities programme.
The CAB will act as an ‘expert and critical friend’ to provide a link between both the STFC Particle Physics, Astronomy, and Nuclear Physics (PPAN) Science Board and the Facilities and Laboratories Science Board, while providing independent advice and reporting to STFC’s Executive Board around issues relating to DRI.
Areas the panel will advise STFC on include, but are not limited to:
- the current status and potential future requirements of computing resources and data handling for the science communities and programmes supported by STFC
- future potential strategies or plans to coordinate scientific computing provision across STFC, and coordinating DRI, e-infrastructure and high-performance Computing (HPC) developments across UKRI and other relevant national and international activities
- the development of STFC’s requirements for next generation computing facilities working across UKRI as well as understanding international opportunities
- opportunities and challenges to improve environmental sustainability of and within the DRI landscape
- the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the context of the DRI portfolio, including AI and ML skills
- priorities for funding to support the highest quality, high impact programmes
- opportunities for dissemination and synergies with other programmes
Directors and leads of DRI or computing facilities funded by STFC may be invited to attend the open sessions of the meetings.
If you would like to apply to be the chair of the panel, please mention this in your application and specify why you would like to be the chair.
Read the handbook for members of STFC advisory bodies to find further details about:
- terms of your appointment
- our expectations of panel members
- equality and diversity
- conflicts of interest
- confidentiality
- our policy on travel, subsistence and remunerated meeting fees
Term and meetings
Membership will ideally begin early 2025. Members will serve for three years, with the possibility of extending for a further three years.
The panel will meet three to four times per year, depending on business requirements.
Meetings will usually be held over half a day and will alternate between being held virtually and in person (although virtual attendance is available for the in-person meeting if required).
Conflicts of interest
You should flag any potential conflicts of interest within your application. Often conflicts can be managed appropriately within meetings, and this is best achieved when we are aware of any potential conflict.
