Director Appointment Babraham Institute
Contents Summary 2 The Babraham Institute
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Research 5 Achieving impact
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Partnership with the University of Cambridge
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The Babraham Research Campus
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About the BBSRC and UK Research and Innovation 10
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Role profile and key responsibilities
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Line reports and Institute management
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Person specification
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Terms and conditions of appointment
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Appointment process
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Summary The Babraham Institute provides a world-class environment for internationally-leading life science research. The Institute’s fundamental cellular and molecular research is supported by Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) grant funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC; part of UK Research and Innovation) and by other research councils, the EU, medical charities and industry. In line with the BBSRC’s Strategic Priority: Bioscience for an Integrated Understanding of Health, the Institute’s long-term vision for its research is to secure lifelong health for everyone and correspondingly, the Institute’s research has a strategic focus on understanding the basic molecular processes that maintain lifelong health and their decline with age. The Institute’s research is organised into three research programmes (ISPs): signalling, epigenetics, and lymphocyte signalling and development. There is a strong commitment to excellence across the Institute’s activities and culture – in research quality, scientific facilities, knowledge exchange, personal development, training, and equality and diversity. The current Director of the Institute, Professor Michael Wakelam, will stand down in 2020 after 13 years leading the Institute. The Board of Trustees is looking to appoint an internationally-recognised researcher and accomplished scientific leader to succeed him and build on the success of the Institute to date. The new Director will be responsible for designing and delivering an ambitious future strategy for the Institute, and, building on its current position, creating new opportunities for the Institute to achieve excellence and impact. The new Director is also expected to be an active contributor to the research output of the Institute, leading their own internationally-competitive research team. The Board will make available significant start-up funding for the Director to establish their own research programme, and to invest in the Director’s vision for the Institute.
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The Babraham Institute Life sciences research for lifelong health
The Babraham Institute evolved from the pre-existing Institute of Animal Physiology, established during the immediate post-war years to study animal physiology with the aim of improving the efficiency of food production. In 1993, the Babraham Institute phased out research on agricultural animals and its major focus shifted to understanding the biology underpinning development and lifelong health. Research activities are led by 22 group leaders (current group leader recruitment will increase this number to 27) with a postdoctoral and research assistant community of 73 researchers, supported by nine research facilities. The Institute is committed to training the next generation of inspirational researchers and our group leaders supervise 44 PhD students. The Institute holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing the representation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and has its own equality and diversity programme to ensure an inclusive and diverse culture. 3
The Babraham Institute The Institute has a history of research excellence including the pivotal discoveries of liposomes in the 1960s, and of genomic imprinting in mammals in the 1980s. Pioneering work in the 1980s and 1990s on PI3-kinase enzymes and signalling pathways and its continuation at the Institute today has led to long-term commercial collaborations and global impact in terms of understanding cell growth and survival. This has included the development of the PI3K delta inhibitor drug Idelalisib (Zydelig) as a treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The discovery of global epigenetic reprogramming in mammalian development has resulted in new approaches to stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
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Research Today, the Institute continues to undertake cutting-edge research to push the boundaries of what we know about biology. Our three research programmes are united in this endeavour, sharing expertise and collaborating in areas of synergy. The Signalling ISP aims to understand the molecular and systems levels principles by which cells and organisms sense and adapt to challenges such as nutrient shortage or excess, infection, ageing and damage. Current work is built around long-term strengths in PI3K, Rac-GTPase and ERK/DYRK signalling and lipidomics and includes: n How neutrophils detect and resolve infection and how this deteriorates with age n How changes in nutrient availability are sensed and shape metabolism and growth n How diverse signals are integrated to control cell and organismal longevity n How autophagy, and related processes dependent on the same molecular machinery, is coordinated and important in adapting to changed nutrient availability and cell damage
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The Epigenetics ISP focuses on how reversible chemical modifications of our DNA and chromatin control access to the information stored within our genomes. Current work includes: n Mechanisms and impact of epigenetic reprogramming in development and stem cells
The Lymphocyte Signalling and Development ISP investigates how cells of the immune system develop and function, allowing us to resist infection and maintain homeostasis throughout life. The work underpins important practical applications in maintaining lifelong health. Current work includes:
n Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and health
n Understanding the functional decline of the immune system with age
n Early cell fate decisions in mammalian development – relevance for regenerative medicine
n Identifying cellular interactions mediating tissue and organismal homeostasis
n Environmental influences on the genome across the lifespan n Function and impact of the epigenetic ageing clock n Single cell epigenomics and computation
n Mechanisms of signal transduction in lymphocytes n Regulation of gene expression during lymphocyte development and activation
Achieving impact In the 2012-2017 period of strategic funding, the Institute published over 550 articles with over 14,000 citations. Alongside our internationallyrecognised research, the Institute maintains nine cutting-edge research facilities (bioinformatics, animal unit, flow cytometry, imaging, mass spectrometry, lipidomics, sequencing, biological chemistry and gene targeting). In addition to supporting the Institute’s research, these are made available to companies on the Babraham Research Campus and the external research community. The Institute’s annual income in 2017 was £31M. Around a third of this (£10.7M) came from BBSRC as core ISP grants and non-grant income. This was matched by competitively awarded grants, and commercial use of the Institute’s facilities and services provided around £6.5M. The Institute is committed to promoting the translation of research via national and international collaborations with academics, clinicians and industry. A distinct organisation, Babraham Institute Enterprises Ltd. (BIE), exists to support the delivery of commercialisation of the Institute’s science through managing the Institute’s intellectual property, facilitating interactions between Institute researchers and industry, and arranging access to the Institute’s scientific expertise and facilities. BIE income in 2017/18 was over £1.2M.
BIE and the Institute currently work with over 50 industry partners including both large pharmaceutical companies and smaller and mediumsized biotechs, many of which are located on the Babraham Research Campus. The Institute’s research, expertise and facilities aim to achieve the following outcomes: n To advance knowledge of biology in order to secure and maintain health throughout life; n To make discoveries that improve the quality of life for people around the world; n To develop innovative research technologies that advance the field and provide new insights; n To build on our foundational research by working with others to secure translation of our discoveries;
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Achieving impact
n To provide excellent training for existing and future researchers, addressing the demand for skilled researchers in the bioscience sectors and respecting equality and diversity in all our activities; n To share our expertise with relevant stakeholders, including academia, industry and policymakers, to ensure that policies and healthcare practices are developed using the latest scientific findings; and n To develop a two-way relationship with the public, being open and transparent about our research by engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in order to align societal expectations with the process and outcomes of scientific research.
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Within the Cambridge region, the Institute is an active part of the Cambridge bioscience cluster, formed by the concentration of world-leading research institutes such as the University of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus based around Addenbrooke’s Hospital, global pharma (AstraZeneca, GSK and Pfizer) and a diverse range of smaller pharmaceutical and medical biotech companies. Within Europe, the Institute is part of the EU-LIFE alliance of 13 research centres that work together to strengthen European research excellence.
The Babraham Institute is an independent organisation, constituted as a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the legal governance of the Institute, and has statutory obligations under Company and Charity Law.
Partnership with the University of Cambridge The Institute has strong collaborative relationships with the life sciences community in the University. In particular it has the status of a recognised postgraduate University Partner Institution (UPI). Institute students account for almost 6% of the total postgraduate population in the Faculty. All Institute PhD students are members of Cambridge Colleges and participate fully in University social and academic life. In addition, our group leaders are full University supervisors and the Institute Director acts as a ‘Head of Department’. We ensure that all new PhD supervisors at the Institute undergo supervisory training through the University of Cambridge.
The Babraham Institute is proactively involved with the Graduate School of Life Sciences within the University, which co-ordinates and provides training, network and career support for all postgraduate students in the biological sciences in Cambridge. Students are encouraged to make full use of the expertise and skills training available at the Institute and within the University, in particular those provided by the Graduate School. The current Director is an Honorary Professor in the University.
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The Babraham Research Campus
The Institute is located within a 430 acre parkland campus, the Babraham Research Campus (BRC) alongside 65 commercial companies. The campus has flourished since being established as a bioincubator model founded by the Institute in 1998 and has received significant investment from the BBSRC over the course of its development. Recognised as a world-leading bioincubator site, the campus is now managed and developed by Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd. (a subsidiary company of the Institute) and promotes innovation across the academic and commercial sectors. The Institute operates an active programme of knowledge exchange with a particular focus on developing relationships with campus companies.
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About the BBSRC and UK Research and Innovation BBSRC’s mission is: n To promote and support highquality basic, strategic and applied research and postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems; and n To advance knowledge and technology (including the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes), and provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs of users and beneficiaries (including the agriculture, bioprocessing, chemical, food, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other biotechnological related industries), thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom and the quality of life.
In 2017-2018, BBSRC invested £498 million in world-class bioscience. BBSRC funding supports around 1,600 scientists and 2,000 research students in universities and institutes across the UK. BBSRC is part of UK Research and Innovation, a body established in 2018 which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment
for research and innovation to flourish. Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than £6 billion, UK Research and Innovation brings together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England. UK Research and Innovation is a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
bbsrc.ukri.org
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Role profile and key responsibilities The Institute is looking for an established leader with a proven track record of internationally competitive life science research to take the Institute into the future. The candidate must be able to work in partnership with the Institute’s Board and with the BBSRC to develop and implement an ambitious vision that aligns with its strategic priorities. Strategic development and leadership n Develop and execute an ambitious strategy for the Institute, building on existing strengths, creating new initiatives and shaping future excellence. n Provide leadership and strategic direction for the scientific programmes of the Institute to maintain and maximise highquality scientific delivery, output and outcomes. n Provide leadership for all aspects of the Institute’s strategic partnership with BBSRC. n Ensure delivery of Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) objectives and alignment with the strategic mission of BBSRC and UKRI.
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n Manage the preparations for and lead the Institute through strategic reviews, including the quinquennial Institute Assessment Exercise by BBSRC and also through interim mid-term reporting requirements. n Establish an internationallycompetitive research laboratory with a focus that is consistent with the Institute’s vision and will be capable of attracting substantial external funding to complement existing funding streams. n Contribute to the development of the BBRSC and UKRI corporate strategy and policy – ensuring the Institute’s Strategic Human Resources Capability, Knowledge Exchange, Public Engagement, and Research and Innovation
Campus development have strong links into the BBSRC. n Chair the Institute’s Babraham Executive Committee (BEC) and provide senior representation on committees including the Science Policy Committee, Institute’s Concordat on Openness on Animal Research committee and the Equality4Success committee. n Represent the Institute’s interests in decisions on the development of the Babraham Research Campus in partnership with the campus management company Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd. n Be an advocate for the Institute, promoting its activities within Cambridge, the region and internationally.
Role profile and key responsibilities
People management n Provide inspiring leadership to unite the Institute as it works towards achieving its strategic goals. n Oversee senior appointments and the tenure-track process of group leader career development, with a commitment to enhancing the quality of the Institute’s science and supporting the delivery of the Institute’s strategy. n Develop further and champion the Institute’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and action plan. n Support effective training, career development and mentoring of Institute staff at all levels, consistent with the aims of the Institute’s Equality and Diversity programme.
Operational and financial management n Responsibility for the effective management of the Institute and its resources, including ultimate authority over the allocation of the Institute’s budget. n Ensure the Institute’s ongoing financial sustainability. n Manage capital equipment budgets and capital expenditure, ensure procurement according to Institute protocols and seek external support for major infrastructure investments to support the mission of the Institute.
n Ensure that the Institute’s research and activities fully meet ethical standards, legislative and regulatory requirements, and guidelines on good research practice. n Ensure that the Institute maintains a world-class research infrastructure to support research of the highest quality. Partnerships n Drive collaborative working, exemplifying the Institute’s commitment to knowledge exchange and impact. n Forge and foster new partnerships nationally and internationally. n Identify and manage conflicts of interest which many arise in any aspect of the Institute’s activities.
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Line reports and Institute management Chair of Board of Trustees Directly reports to Director Key direct reports: Chief Operating Officer
ISP heads
Facility heads
Epigenetics
Animal unit
Signalling
Lipidomics
Lymphocyte signalling
Bioinformatics Flow cytometry
Report to senior scientists in ISPs
Imaging Mass Spectrometry Sequencing Gene targeting Biological chemistry
Leadership team: Babraham Executive Committee (BEC) Chair: Director Membership: n Senior scientist x8 n Head of HR n Head of Knowledge Management
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n Head of the BSU (animal facility) n Engineering Manager
Person specification In each of the areas below, candidates will be required to demonstrate their track record and future vision.
Standing and reputation
Strategy
Leadership
n Have a distinguished research career with international peer recognition in an area of bioscience of relevance to the Institute.
n Demonstrate vision, experience and impact in the leadership of a science-driven organisation and the ability to think and operate strategically.
n Coordinate and define the scientific direction of the Institute.
n Represent the Institute nationally and internationally with a range of different stakeholders and demonstrate impact in influencing decision makers.
n Demonstrate independence of mind, breadth of understanding, and a commitment to look across disciplines and research areas. n Agility to respond to evolving national strategies and priorities from funding and policy sectors.
n Be a strong, effective and inclusive leader, able to work with and motivate a range of staff and to obtain commitment from them to take the Institute forward. n Lead during periods of significant development and change. n Provide an excellent training environment for young researchers.
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Person specification Management
Communication skills
Commercial acumen
n Be able to manage and direct a sustainable, diverse research operation with significant numbers of staff.
n Have excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to engage and develop effective relationships with staff at all levels, external individuals and groups.
n Be committed to knowledge transfer and innovation, with experience of translating research into commercial opportunities.
n Be able to create, build, strengthen and sustain positive collaborative and external stakeholder relationships and networks. n Be able to work with senior administrative staff to oversee the necessary operational and financial planning (including capital development), human resource and cultural change, associated with a diverse organisation. n Have excellent people management skills, with a commitment to developing staff to excel in their roles.
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n Be an effective spokesperson for the Institute across a range of media, often at short notice. n Be able to communicate and debate difficult issues with the public, such as the need for fundamental research, the use of animals in research or emerging genetic technologies. n Possess strong presentation skills.
n Be motivated to work with industry and other organisations within the user community. n Have the ability to think strategically to create and capitalise on opportunities benefitting the Institute.
Terms and conditions of appointment The successful applicant will be employed by the Babraham Institute and the appointment will be made in accordance with the Institute’s terms and conditions. The Babraham Institute is committed to promoting and developing a culture of excellence, diversity and mutual respect that supports the Institute’s ambitions and attracts highly motivated and talented people. The Babraham Institute is a Disability Confident Employer and has a positive approach to employing disabled people.
Appointment process The Institute has engaged Perrett Laver to support the Board of Trustees in this appointment and further information can be downloaded from their website at candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ using reference number 3893. For informal enquiries about the role please contact Caitlin Tickell at Caitlin.Tickell@perrettlaver.com or on +44 (0)207 340 6255. Applications should consist of a letter of application together with a curriculum vitae, a publications list, and details (e-mail and telephone) of three referees who may be consulted. The closing date for applications is 12 noon GMT on 8th March. The full field of candidates will be subsequently reviewed by the Board. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver and the final shortlist of candidates will be invited to visit the Institute. Dates for formal interviews will be confirmed in due course.
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The Babraham Institute Registered office: Babraham Hall, Babraham, Cambridge, CB22 3AT Registered in England and Wales No. 3011737 as a company limited by guarantee Registered Charity No. 1053902 The Babraham Institute receives core funding in strategic programme grants from the BBSRC.