PERSON SPECIFICATION
FOR MEMBERSHIP TO POOL OF EXPERTS
BBSRC is one of 7 Research Councils that work together as Research Councils UK (RCUK). It is funded from the Government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The mission of the BBSRC is:
To promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems.
To advance knowledge and technology (including the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes), and provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs of users and beneficiaries (including the agriculture, bioprocessing, chemical, food, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other biotechnological related industries), thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom and the quality of life.
In relation to the Council's activities, and as the Council may see fit, to:




Generate public awareness
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Communicate research outcomes
Encourage public engagement and dialogue
Disseminate knowledge
Work of the Research Committees/Pool of Experts: Peer Review
BBSRC Research Committees deal mainly with the peer review of responsive mode research grant applications. These Committees come within the responsibility of the BBSRC Strategy
Advisory Board. The Research Committees are responsible for the appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of applications for BBSRC funding. A copy of the areas of science covered by the
Committees can be found at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/organisation/structures/committees.
Research Committees have a flexible membership; each has a Core membership that is complemented for each meeting by members assigned from the BBSRC Pool of Experts: Peer
Review. Core and Pool members are equally valued by BBSRC; the system is not hierarchical and all members have equal rights and responsibilities. Accordingly, Core and Pool members are expected to lead the review of comparable numbers of applications.
Applications are welcomed in the first instance for membership of the Pool of Experts: Peer
Review. The assessment criteria for Core and Pool members are identical. Applications for Core positions on the Committees will be advertise in Spring 2011, although it is anticipated that the majority Core positions on a Committee will be filled by Pool members.
The peer review process requires members to identify referees for the applications assigned to them, act as Introducing Member, which involves opening the discussion of those applications at the meeting, and contribute to the decision making process.
1

Members may also be asked to assist from time to time in reviewing BBSRC supported science across the full range of other BBSRC activities. This includes the review of BBSRC supported university groups, the research institutes sponsored by BBSRC, research studentships and fellowships and reviews of scientific areas and programmes. There is no set pattern to these activities, but workload is taken into account when considering members for these additional duties.
Criteria
Applicants for membership of the BBSRC Pool of Experts: Peer Review will be expected to have a background or an active involvement in research relevant to the area to which they are applying.
This can be demonstrated by successful BBSRC grant income, refereeing requests, BBSRC studentships. These will mainly relate to those from the HEI sector or BBSRC-sponsored Institutes however, involvement with other BBSRC activities will also be a consideration. Applicants should also be well informed of the priorities and scientific opportunities currently being addressed by
BBSRC. Where appropriate, preference will be shown to applicants who have responded well to requests to referee research grant proposals.
Applications are welcomed from non-UK-based candidates but in all cases applicants must have experience or knowledge of the UK peer review system and be willing to commit the necessary time to the appointment if offered.
In addition, applications are also welcomed from members of the BBSRC industrial user community who may not necessarily meet these criteria, but who have strong interests in BBSRC and who would like to contribute in the delivery of its science. In some circumstances BBSRC would be prepared to consider a membership that takes into account the commitments of the employer.
OTHER INFORMATION
Applications
All applicants wishing to be considered for an appointment must complete an Expression of
Interest form which is available on the BBSRC website at www.bbsrc.ac.uk
.
Details of applicants will be entered on a BBSRC database. BBSRC must be notified in writing at the application stage if applicants do not wish personal data or information that could affect intellectual property rights to be transferred to the databases.
Selection of members
Assessment of the applications received will be made by the BBSRC Appointments Board against the background and structure of the Panel or Committee as a whole, its remit and diversity and against the positions available. The criteria for Panels and Committee members can be found in the Appointment Guidelines.
The Appointments Board will meet in the spring and autumn to approve appointments for the Pool of Experts: Peer Review.
Duration of appointment
Appointments will be for one year in the first instance with the expectation that this will be extended for a further two years i.e. three years in total. In some circumstances members may be invited to serve for a second term.
2

Conflicts of interests
Members will be asked to provide BBSRC with details of any appointments or affiliations they hold
(including consultancies and special or “visiting” academic appointments) that could impact on their work for BBSRC and to keep BBSRC advised of any changes to these associations. For openness and transparency reasons this information is then made public on the BBSRC website. During meetings members will be required to leave the room while any application or report for which they have, or could be perceived to have, a conflict of interests is discussed.
Remuneration
Eligible members will receive an attendance fee of £170 per day, and have their reasonable travelling expenses reimbursed, for attending meetings of the Panel or Committee. Reasonable travelling expenses will be reimbursed for other meetings and events attended at BBSRC’s request as members of the Panel or Committee. Remuneration is not offered for assessment of final reports or for the refereeing of applications.
Time
It is essential that, in applying for membership of BBSRC’s Pool of Experts: Peer Review applicants are able to commit the necessary time and attention to the appointment and that at the time of submitting an application they have the full support of their employer and organisation.
Members may also be invited to attend steering or work groups depending on BBSRC’s requirements.
Members are also expected to dedicate a significant amount of time to the review and assessment of new grant proposals.
BBSRC
November 2010
3