Chair of Diamond Light Source Ltd Board
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- Science
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- Apr 03, 2024 Post Date
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- 240000DT Requisition #
Chair of Diamond Light Source Ltd Board
Appointment Term: an initial period of four years
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum. Travel and subsistence expenses will also be reimbursed.
Location: Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
About Diamond Light Source Ltd:
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. It is used by over 8,000 scientists from academia and industry each year to conduct experiments across a range of disciplines, including biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and materials science. As one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, Diamond Light Source plays a crucial role in advancing scientific research and innovation, driving economic growth, and addressing global challenges.
About the role:
We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary individual to serve as the Chair of the Diamond Light Source Ltd Board. The Chair will provide leadership and strategic direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance and oversight of the organisation's activities. The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the executive team to shape the future direction of Diamond Light Source, fostering collaboration and innovation to maximise the impact of the facility.
For the full information on the role and requirements of the Chair position, please visit the candidate prospectus.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic oversight covering scientific, technical, financial, governance, compliance, and risk management aspects at Diamond.
- Ensure alignment with Diamond's aims, vision, and goals through appropriate strategies, plans, funding, and governance arrangements.
- Facilitate effective communication and implementation of Board decisions.
- Support the CEO and Executive team to achieve Diamond's overall objectives.
- Maintain an environment conducive to maintaining, operating, and developing a world-class synchrotron radiation facility while fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific culture; follow good governance practices, ensure appropriate Board constitution and performance, and uphold the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, including the Nolan Principles.
- Fulfil roles including chairing Board meetings, serving on committees, supporting and engaging with executives, collaborating with the Company Secretary, engaging with stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, and maintaining impartiality as a voting Director.
Skills and Experience:
The successful candidate will be assessed against the following criteria as part of the application process:
- experience either of leading or chairing a company or scientific research organisation, or acting as a senior non-executive director of a company or scientific research organisation with experience chairing a major sub-committee, such as a finance and audit committee;
- an interest in, and appreciation for, science and its role/value in society and to the broader economic development of the UK;
- acknowledged success in running a large, complex organisation or equivalent, whether Government funded, academic or industrial;
- an understanding of the UK science/higher education funding arena, and an understanding of the relationship with Government.
The following experience and attributes will be assessed at interview:
- strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to build and manage effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders;
- strong negotiation, influencing skills, and an exceptional ability to succeed;
- a fluent and persuasive communicator who can represent the organisation externally as well as internally;
- a proven track record of handling difficult issues with authority and confidence;
- an appreciation of the nature of the role, and a readiness to mentor and coach, but not interfere with, the work of the executive leadership team;
- strong support for the importance of good governance and demonstrable experience in delivering strong governance in a UK setting.
In addition, an appreciation of the importance of synchrotron radiation facilities or detailed knowledge of a related field of science, and ability to talk with the media in relation to Diamond and the importance of science, would be an advantage but is not essential.
For the full information on the role and requirements of the Chair position, please visit the candidate prospectus.
Other Information:
The closing date for applications is Sunday 5 May 2024. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 14 June 2024 at Diamond Light Source Ltd.
Diamond Light Source is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
For any issues experienced applying using our Careers Portal, please contact SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org.
About Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron light source and is an energetic and dynamic organisation comprising a wide range of scientific, technical, professional and support staff.
A joint venture between UKRI and the Wellcome Trust, Diamond is a separately established private limited company with its own Board of Directors and UKRI and Wellcome as shareholders, and is located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
The facility, which was opened to users in 2007, hosts 33 cutting-edge synchrotron-based instruments plus a range of advanced electron microscopes which are used by over 14,000 academic and industrial researchers across a wide range of disciplines including structural biology, energy, engineering, nanoscience and environmental sciences. Currently a 3rd generation medium energy synchrotron light source, in 2023 Diamond received confirmation of funding of just over £500m to upgrade the facility to a state-of-the-art 4th generation high brilliance source.
How we support EDI in the workforce
We believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit Diamond's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
To apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted or experience issues applying, please contact seniorrecruitment@ukri.org, so we can ensure your application has been received.