MPLS Research Staff Forum - Co-Chair Application

The Roles

We are currently seeking two researchers to serve as Co-Chairs, responsible (with support from other departmental research staff representatives) for representing the interests of research staff from the MPLS departments at divisional and University level. In the past the people taking on this role have been very successful in getting policy changed and making a real difference for their fellow research staff. They have often gone on to gain more senior roles within the University such as: Chair of Oxford Research Staff Society or more recently the Research Staff Consultation Group. This has meant that they have sat on committees such as: University Council and Research and Innovation Committee. An MPLS research staff rep was on the selection panel for the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University! They have used these roles to develop their leadership and influencing skills as well as building their CV.

Each Co-Chair receives £2000 per annum towards their professional development costs. This can be spent on courses or programmes or go towards items such as conference attendance.

Apply Here

Responsibilities

To represent research staff from MPLS on a number of committees at divisional and University level. For further details please download the MPLS Research Staff Forum Co-Chair Role definition (PDF). You can also view the Co-Chair role definition as a webpage.

Eligibility

To apply for the RSF Co-Chair role, you should:

• Be currently employed as a researcher in MPLS.
• Have a contract that runs until at least the end of Trinity Term 2026 (if your fixed-term contract is due to end before the end of Trinity Term 2026 but is likely to be renewed, you can still apply and we would need your PI/line-manager to provide confirmation to support your eligibility).
• Include the name and contact details of one supporter (e.g. a colleague willing to endorse your application).

Application Process

• Applicants should have one colleague who endorses their application (supporter).
• Each candidate will be asked for a short statement of interest (SOI 200-300 words) with any past committee or representative experience. 
• Once their candidature has been approved they will be asked to respond to a set of questions set by the election administrators. Their answers to these questions and SOI will be available to view by research staff members and colleagues who are part of the voting and administration of the selection process.  For further details please download the Terms of reference for MPLS Research Staff Forum & appointment of Co-Chairs (PDF). You can also view the Terms of Reference for MPLS Research Staff Forum & appointment of Co-Chairs as a web page.
• Please complete the MPLS RSF Co-Chair Application Form by Friday 27th June 2025. You can also view the content of the Application Form as a webpage.

Elections

Elections will be held in the Trinity Term 2025.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact training@mpls.ox.ac.uk.

More information

For more information on the MPLS Research Staff Forum please visit this web page.