If you are you looking for an opportunity to play a leading role in assuring the competence and conduct of scientists then we would like to hear from you. We need trustees to help steer the Science Council to being recognised in its role as the registration body for scientists, equivalent to the Engineering Council, the General Medical Council, the National Midwifery Council and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

The Science Council is seeking trustees with access to influential, relevant networks that can help meet the charity’s objectives, who are able to devote the time required to play their role effectively. In addition, one of the new trustees will chair the Governance Committee.  

We are looking for people with senior-level experience, expertise and knowledge in the following areas:

• Marketing and brand awareness
• Legal and Governance
• Social media/digital advertising
• Working with science employers and knowledge of the science and technician workforce
• Fundraising and income generation
• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
• Risk management and financial administration

We are also seeking expertise in one or more of the following:

• Higher Education  
• Stakeholder and public engagement
• Event Planning and Management

The Science Council
The Science Council is a charity and membership organisation established under Royal Charter in October 2003 for professional bodies and learned societies across the science disciplines. Its purpose, as defined in its Royal Charter, is to promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of and education in science, pure and applied, for public benefit. It sets the standards for professional registration for practising scientists and science technicians, independent of scientific discipline. Professional bodies within the membership are licensed to award their members who meet these standards.

Over the last 13 years the Science Council has made real progress in raising the profile of professional registration in science. In 2015 the Science Council received a grant from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation with the ambition of promoting and developing its professional registers further, particularly at the Registered Scientist and Registered Science Technician levels. Uptake of these registers has been steady but slow, and the charity is now looking for trustees who can lead the delivery of a step-change in uptake and meet the targets set by the Gatsby Foundation, and create a sustainable business model for the charity, and establishing registration as an expectation for all professional scientists.

Term of office and time commitment
Trustees commit approximately 12 days per year. Trustees join the Board for an initial 4-year term, which, following a gap of 1 year, can be renewed, upon election, for a further 4 years.

The Science Council’s Board meets approximately 4 times per year in London. Meetings are during the week and during working hours. In addition there is usually one Board away day per annum. Board members are expected to also sit on at least one of the Science Council’s subcommittees which meet approximately 4 times per year. These are:

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Governance Committee
• Registration Authority

There are also up to 3 General Meetings per year in central London, one of which is the Annual General Meeting.

It is important that trustees make time to speak with the Chair, other Board members and the Chief Executive between meetings usually electronic or by telephone.

Further information
The closing date for applications is Sunday 4th June 2017. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in an informal interview for this purpose. Interviews are scheduled to take place between Monday 12th and Friday 16th June, so please ensure that you are available on these days.

An application pack is available to download, and contains the information you need about the skills and expertise that we are looking to attract, the appointment process and what being a Science Council trustee involves.

For an informal and confidential discussion regarding trustee vacancies please contact Belinda Phipps on 020 3434 2020 prior to the closing date. This will play no part in the selection process.

The Science Council is committed to equality and we value the diversity of our volunteers and staff.