Interested in becoming a Trustee? November 1, 2019 Salary: Unpaid Location: Edinburgh Medical Research Scotland (MRS) is always interested in the possibility of new Trustees joining its Board. The Trustee Board is comprised of people from a range of professional backgrounds. The current membership can be found on our website. Our Trustees are responsible and accountable for the overall strategic leadership and direction of the charity. We are committed to the principles of equality and diversity in the composition of our Board and in all the funding programmes we run. Organisation profile Medical Research Scotland (MRS) is Scotland’s largest independent charity funder of medical research. We receive and hold endowments, donations and bequests and use our resources to support health-related research whether aimed at understanding the basic mechanisms of disease; improving diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease; advancing medical technology; or supporting any other research that aims to improve health and healthcare. Our focus is on the development of research careers, which we do in the following ways: We offer funding to students working for a doctorate in any Scottish higher education institution or research centre. We like to make at least 15 of these awards each year. All our studentships have to be collaborative, a partnership between a University and an independent external partner organisation involved in medically relevant research. We want our students to experience the academic world as well as work in other sectors, such industry, charity, NGOs or governmental agencies and to do research that is focused on usefulness. We support Undergraduate Vacation Scholarships – up to 100 each year – designed to give undergraduate students a short experience of full-time research in a University lab. We work with the Daphne Jackson Trust (www.daphnejackson.org) to support people returning to science after a career break. We engage in outreach activities to encourage secondary school students to think about careers in medical research. Desired experience and skills Our Trustees come from a variety of backgrounds and have different expertise. The overall skills requirements of our Trustee Board include the following: An understanding of the UK charity sector, good governance, OSCR requirements, relevant legislation and statutory requirements. An ability to contribute to strategic development and decision-making. Experience of working in a commercial environment in the life sciences industry. Experience of working in higher education. A strong financial background. A strong communications and marketing background/knowledge of digital or social media. Important information for applicants Trustees are appointed for a term of up to four years and are eligible to serve up to a further four years, after which they must retire from the Board. Board meetings are held two to three times a year (normally in Edinburgh). Trustees may also be required to contribute between meetings including sitting on ad-hoc sub committees, attending events and so on as appropriate. The role is not remunerated although reasonable expenses will be paid. Application Expressions of interest can be registered by sending a CV and covering letter to the Chair, Professor Philip Winn, Medical Research Scotland, c/o Turcan Connell, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh or by email to enquiries@medicalresearchscotland.org.uk.
