STFC Innovation and Business Board: member vacancies

• Closing date: 18 May 2025
• Number of positions: Three
• Length of term: The term of membership will ordinarily be for three years, possibly commencing in September 2025, with the possibility of reappointment
• Time commitment: Members are asked to attend meetings up to three times a year, with other businesses conducted via email
• Remuneration: These roles are not remunerated
• Outcomes communicated: August to September 2025

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is looking to recruit panel members for the Innovation and Business Board (IBB).

The board aims to bring together leaders of major partners in innovation and industry to leverage their industrial experience and networks into STFC’s activities and to provide guidance and feedback for new business engagement strategies.

IBB will provide advice to STFC on how to accelerate end-to-end innovation and stimulate business growth, delivering on UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) world-class innovation objectives.

Who we’re looking for

We invite applications from individuals with substantial experience of research-led or industry-led innovation, and delivering new business supported by the intersection of academia and industry.

We especially encourage applicants from:

• the clean energy sector
• creative industries

What you’ll be doing

The board will:

• provide industry and business perspectives regarding STFC activities
• provide advice on the implementation and future development of STFC’s innovation, campus and industry engagement strategies
• provide advice on measuring and communicating the impact and benefit of supported activities
• provide advice on STFC funding opportunities and existing funding mechanisms
• act as advocates for STFC across industry and business communities

IBB meets three times a year. An annual report will be presented to STFC Council.

A meeting will be quorate when eight external members and two internal members are able to attend the meeting.

Our handbook for members of STFC’s advisory bodies will help you to understand our expectations of a panel member. The handbook also includes useful information on other topics, such as:

• equality and diversity
• conflicts of interest
• confidentiality
• our policy on travel, subsistence, and remunerated meeting fees

How to apply

Read the application guidance documents, which include:

• a preview of the application form
• questions and answers from a webinar we held in 2021
• testimonies from members of STFC panels, boards and committees

Apply using the online form on the UKRI Engagement Hub.

How we’ll assess your application

Our intention is that the board will have representation from a variety of academia and industry sectors, reflecting the broad spectrum of research carried out at STFC’s facilities.

Members of the external advisory group will be selected based on the evidence provided against the following criteria:

• extensive experience at a senior level in an industrial research environment or working at the interface between industry and academia
• proven ability to provide advice at a strategic level with the ability to exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and research issues
• a demonstrable ability to think and act strategically, and address difficult decisions across a broad spectrum of issues
• ability to be confident and well-informed in debate
• ability to quickly form positive working relationships with a wide range of people
• ability to commit the necessary time and attention to the role and have support from their employer

We are also looking for the following desirable skills:

• knowledge of the role of the UK research infrastructure, and understanding of STFC’s programmes and priorities
• awareness of the national and international scientific and funding landscapes in which STFC operates

Further information

Contact Dymphie Webb with any questions.
Email: dymphie.webb@stfc.ac.uk

See details about the current membership

We are committed to the principles of fair and transparent decision-making, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

In addition to UKRI principles on EDI, STFC continues to develop a range of measures and objectives around EDI.

We have undertaken an equality, diversity and inclusion impact assessment for this opportunity, see application guidance documents.

Appointments to the advisory panel are made on merit. However, we are keen to maintain diversity in its membership. Therefore, we especially welcome applications from women, those with a disability or members of minority ethnic groups.

Last updated: 8 April 2025