UK Research and Innovation, the UK’s leading research funding agency, is seeking to appoint Council members across seven Councils: AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, Innovate UK, NERC, Research England 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. 

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

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (7862)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. Our diverse portfolio ranges from digital technologies to clean energy, manufacturing to mathematics, and advanced materials to chemistry. EPSRC invests in world-leading research & innovation, infrastructure, and skills to advance knowledge and deliver a sustainable, resilient and prosperous UK. We support new ideas and critical technologies that drive economic growth, make society safer, break down barriers to opportunities, deliver clean energy, and make public services better. In partnership and coinvesting with industry, we work to deliver both national and global priorities.

How to Apply 

If you wish to apply for this position, you will need to supply the following for consideration:​

1. A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements. Please provide details of 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.​
2. 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.​

The deadline for applications is 09.00 BST on Monday 16^th June 2025. 

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. 

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. 

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

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