Research Advisory Board (RAB) Member and Chair vacancies

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking applications from committed clinicians, researchers and industry experts, with knowledge and experience relevant to Ophthalmology. Given RAB’s key involvement in review of our Translational Research Awards, we are particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in translational research and those with industry experience.

Diversity and Inclusion 

At Sight Research UK we want to ensure that our boards and panels, and in turn the research that we fund, represent the diversity of people we seek to support. We particularly encourage applications from women, people who identify as an ethnic minority, people with a disability or long-term condition, and other groups who are currently under-represented. We welcome applications from people based in all regions and nations of the UK, and internationally.

What You'll Be Doing

RAB provide expert advice to our Board of Trustees regarding research funding matters, in particular for our Translational Research Award. For this annual grant round, each RAB member:

• is allocated a portion of Stage 1 applications to score and review.
• is sent Stage 2 applications, peer reviews and rebuttals to read ahead of the annual RAB meeting.
• attends the annual RAB meeting (virtually via MS Teams) to discuss, score and rank applications for funding. RAB’s recommendations for funding are then passed on to the Board of Trustees who make the final decision on funding.
• answers follow up questions Trustees may have about scoring, feedback or recommendations for funding.

For a more detailed breakdown of RAB’s responsibilities, please download the RAB Terms of Reference and Guidance below.

How Long Is The Term?

RAB members can serve up to two terms of three years.

How To Apply - RAB Member

To apply to be a member of RAB, please send a copy of your CV to grants@sightresearchuk.org by 30th November 2023. If you have any questions about the role or application process, please email us at grants@sightresearchuk.org or give us a call on 0117 325 7757.

CVs will be reviewed by our Trustee Research Subcommittee and Chair of RAB. We will be looking to induct new RAB members by the end of January 2024, and they will be asked to join the RAB meeting for review of this year's Stage 2 applications in March/April 2024 (date tbc).

Chair Role

Sight Research UK are also looking to recruit a Chair for the Research Advisory Board (RAB) to start from 1st June 2024. In order to ensure our RAB is well balanced and able to effectively review applications  without conflict we would like to actively encourage applications from individuals outside of Moorfields or University College London, though applications from these institutions will be considered. We would be keen for the new Chair to attend the RAB meeting (held virtually via MS Teams) in March/April 2024 (date to be confirmed) as part of their induction for this role.

For this role, we are looking for a capable committee lead with expertise in clinical research, basic science research, or translational research in ophthalmology. The Chair’s responsibilities include:

• shortlisting Stage 1 applications for our Translational Research Award, using the comments and scores provided by RAB members.
• chairing the annual RAB meeting, and resolving conflicting opinions to reach a decision where necessary.
• presenting RAB’s recommendations for funding to the Board of Trustees.
• assessing the validity of a request in the exceptional circumstances that a costed extension is considered for a funded grant.
• acting as an expert advisor to the Board of Trustees and Grants Team on other funding matters as and when required.

How To Apply - Chair

To apply for the Chair role, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in the role, and why you would be a good fit, to grants@sightresearchuk.org by 30th November 2023. If you have any questions about the role or application process, please email us atgrants@sightresearchuk.org or give us a call on 0117 325 7757.

Applications will be reviewed by our Trustee Research Subcommittee and current Chair of RAB, and short-listed applicants will be invited to join a call with the Trustee Research Subcommittee and current Chair of RAB to discuss the role between mid-December and mid-January. 

Final decision on appointment will be made at our Board Meeting in early February, and the new Chair will be asked to observe the RAB meeting in March/April 2024 (date tbc) before taking on the role from 1st June 2024.

Reasonable Adjustments 

We want to make our recruitment processes as well as participation in our boards and panels accessible to all, and this includes making adjustments for individuals who identify as neurodiverse or as having a disability or long-term condition.

If you have any queries regarding the application process or if you would like any of this information in a different format (for example accessible PDF or large print), please email: grants@sightresearchuk.org.

Should your application be successful, we will work to fulfil your requirements to enable you to fully participate in RAB review and meetings.

Please let us know in advance if you would like to discuss in confidence how we can support you. You can do so via email: grants@sightresearchuk.org