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A recruitment campaign for up to 96 council members that will play a key role in the establishment of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has been launched by Sir Mark Walport.

The organisation, which will be formally established in April 2018, is seeking a diverse membership for eight councils which will make up UK Research and Innovation. UKRI is keen that members will bring experience from a variety of disciplines, sectors and organisations.

UKRI is keen to receive applications from across the research and innovation community. As part of the focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, UK Research and Innovation will aim for a balanced participation between women and men and to increase the participation from black and minority ethnic members and members with a declared disability.

Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive designate of UK Research and Innovation said:

"These roles will play a vital part in the creation of UK Research and Innovation and I look forward to them attracting the highest quality candidates from right across the spectrum of industry, research and the third and public sectors. 

"These council members will be role models and leaders to the rest of the community and that is why I want to make sure that equality, diversity and inclusion are an important part of the selection process."

Members of the eight councils that will make up UK Research and Innovation will have a variety of backgrounds, following successful leadership in high education, research, industry or the third sector and will be appointed for a period of either two, three or four years. The staggered terms will balance continuity with evolving membership of the councils in future.

Notes to editors

• Learn more about recruitment to each of the councils.
• Research England has already begun its council recruitment in order to be ready for the new financial year.
• The Higher Education & Research Act 2017 requires that the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will establish nine councils, with their own fields of activity, each led by an Executive Chair. Each Executive Chair will be supported by a council of between five and 12 members. The exact membership will take into account the specific needs of each council.
• In order to ensure continuity in transitioning from the existing research councils and Innovate UK governing board to the new bodies that will form part of UKRI, members of existing councils are encouraged to apply in direct competition with new applicants for these new positions. The UKRI Board will ensure that an appropriate and equitable balance is achieved between the members of the existing Councils and entirely new members.
• UK Research and Innovation is a new organisation that, from 1 April 2018, will bring together the seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. The aim is to create a system that maximises the contribution of each council and creates the best environment for research and innovation to flourish. The vision is to be the best research and innovation organisation in the world.