Non Executive Directorships

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UKRI, Executive Chair

Location: Swindon

Date Posted: 22/03/2023

Closing Date: 08/05/2023

£135,000 – 148,000 pa

Vacancy Description

We are seeking an inspirational individual with international standing and a proven track record to lead UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as its Executive Chair and to contribute to the senior leadership of UKRI.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the UK’s primary public funder of engineering and physical sciences research; champion, train and support the current and future UK science workforce; and help shape the UK’s research and innovation system.

EPSRC funds research, infrastructure, training, and partnerships over a wide field covering chemistry, engineering, information and communication technologies, advanced materials, mathematical sciences and physics. EPSRC also plays a leading role in the delivery of the cross-UKRI technology programmes.

As the Executive Chair of EPSRC you will have responsibility for annual budgets of approximately £800m and lead a dedicated team of circa 230 staff based in Swindon and remotely, shaping strategy for UK engineering and physical sciences.

The Executive Chair, advised and challenged by EPSRC’s Council, is responsible for setting and implementing the strategic vision for EPSRC. As a visible and credible leader of both EPSRC and the wider engineering and physical sciences research community, you will provide direction ensuring delivery of world-class research, innovation, skills development and infrastructure investment.

You will be a core member of the UKRI Executive Committee, providing leadership across UKRI to develop and deliver on its vision, mission and strategy.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be able to command confidence and represent EPSRC and UKRI at the highest level, and be able to demonstrate the following criteria:

Essential:

• A highly respected engineer, mathematician, or physical scientist of international standing with a proven track record and with a firm grasp of developments across the spectrum of the engineering and physical sciences and their application.

• Politically astute, excellent interpersonal skills, able to influence, build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of partners including industry; and be collaborative and consultative.

• An ability to develop, lead and manage the delivery of a clear and strategic vision for engineering and physical sciences research through the development of high quality, value for money programmes and collaborations built on a detailed understanding of and engagement with the stakeholder landscape – both public and private sector.

• Demonstrable inclusive leadership and management skills with experience of leading and managing a large and complex organisation to be high performing while tackling issues of equality, diversity and inclusion; evidence of having successfully led cultural change and organisational development.

• Commitment to the overarching goals of UKRI, and the health of a wider and more integrated R&D landscape.

How to Apply

Your application should be submitted in two parts.

Both parts must be submitted by 23:59 Monday 8th May 2023 in order for your application to be considered complete. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Part one: CV and Statement of Suitability

Please submit your application via the UKRI Careers Portal (click here to be taken through) by 23:59 Monday 8th May 2023. You will need to supply:
• A curriculum vitae; and,

• A supporting statement

Your curriculum vitae and supporting statement must each be no longer than two A4 pages in length. Please ensure your documents are named as ‘Surname, first initial – URN607 – EPSRC Executive Chair – CV/Statement of Suitability’.
Your Statement of Suitability should provide specific information about why you believe you would be suitable for appointment into the EPSRC Executive Chair role and a flavour of what you would want to do in this role, if successful. Think about your knowledge, skills, experience, personal attributes, and vision for the organisation, and take full advantage of the space available. Use practical examples where possible and ensure you refer to the essential criteria for this role.

Please include a section that sets out what you believe the main challenges and opportunities to be for EPSRC and how you might address them. Again, please aim for no more than 2 A4 pages.

Please note, you will only be assessed on the content of your CV and supporting statement, and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

Should you have any problem with submitting your application via the UKRI Careers Portal, please do send an email to [email protected] with ‘URN607 – EPSRC Executive Chair’ in the subject heading. A member of our team will then be in touch.

Please note, to apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted, please contact [email protected], so we can ensure your application has been received.

Part two: Diversity Monitoring and Conflicts of Interest Form. Please click here to complete this form.

Apply here

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