Basic Science Theme Lead

Theme Lead – Basic Science

Role Title:	Basic Science Theme Lead
Time:	~8 days per year
Remuneration:	This is a voluntary position
Location:	Primarily virtual, with attendance at occasional in-person meetings and events.
Expected Start Date:	1 January 2027
Term:	3 years

Opportunity

The Epilepsy Research Institute is seeking outstanding epilepsy researchers to serve as Theme Leads across our six strategic research themes.

The Institute's research strategy is organised around six interconnected themes:

1. Neurodevelopment;

2. Advanced Therapeutics & Disease Modification;

3. Mortality, Morbidity & Risk;

4. Reproduction & Hormones;

5. Capacity Building;

6. Enabling Technologies.

Together, these themes focus research efforts on the most important challenges facing people affected by epilepsy and provide a framework for collaboration, funding, and strategic activity across the UK epilepsy research community.

Each theme is led by a team comprising three Theme Leads:

• Basic Science

• Clinical

• Early Career Researcher

Theme Leads shape the future direction of epilepsy research in the UK. Working alongside fellow Theme Leads, researchers, clinicians, people affected by epilepsy, and the Institute's programme management and leadership team, they help identify research priorities, stimulate collaboration, and drive progress against key strategic objectives.

We are currently recruiting two Basic Science Theme Leads for the Neurodevelopment and Reproduction & Hormones themes. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the national research agenda, foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, and help accelerate discoveries that will improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy.

To apply, please complete a short application form that is built around questions to give you the opportunity to describe your relevant experience and how you can contribute to the Institute and the research theme you are applying to.

For further information or to discuss the role informally, please contact Martin or Emma via the shared Theme Lead email address : [email removed]

Role Description – Basic Science Theme Lead

Purpose of the Role

The Basic Science Theme Lead provides strategic leadership within their theme, helping to identify emerging scientific opportunities, drive collaborative research activity, and ensure progress against agreed objectives. Working alongside fellow Theme Leads, Institute staff, researchers and people affected by epilepsy, they will help strengthen the translation of fundamental discoveries in epilepsy into meaningful clinical impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Objective Delivery

• Work collaboratively with fellow Theme Leads to develop and deliver the theme's annual activities.

• Lead or co-lead at least one strategic objective within the theme.

• Identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and areas requiring collective action.

• Contribute expertise in translational and pre-clinical research to strategic discussions and priority setting.

• Encourage collaboration across themes and disciplines.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen the translation of discovery science into clinical benefit.

Community Engagement & Ambassadorship

• Act as an ambassador for the Epilepsy Research Institute.

• Promote opportunities and activities across the epilepsy research community.

• Support engagement with clinicians, researchers, charities, industry partners and people with lived experience of epilepsy.

• Help identify opportunities for new initiatives, partnerships, funding mechanisms, networks and capacitybuilding activities.

Meetings & Participation

Theme Leads are expected to participate in:

• Monthly Theme Lead meetings (typically virtual).

• Quarterly Theme Lead Workshops (typically two in-person and two virtual each year).

• Institute research events, including the Research Conference, Research Summit and relevant Navigator Symposia.

• Periodic strategic planning workshops and consultations.

Estimated commitment: approximately 8–12 days per year.

Person Specification

Essential

• PhD or equivalent research qualification in a relevant discipline.

• Expertise relevant to the Neurodevelopment or Reproduction & Hormones research themes.

• Internationally recognised track record in basic, translational or pre-clinical epilepsy research.

• Commitment to collaborative working and strategic research development.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

EPILEPSY RESEARCH INSTITUTE UK

Desirable

• Experience leading multidisciplinary or multi-centre research programmes.

• Experience developing or applying novel experimental methodologies.

• Experience of peer review, research assessment or strategic advisory roles.

• Demonstrated success in securing competitive research funding.

• Experience involving people affected by epilepsy in research design and delivery.

• Experience working across the translational pipeline from discovery science to clinical application.

Term of Appointment

• Appointments are for an initial three-year term, commencing 1 January 2027 and concluding 31 December 2029.

• As part of the Institute's commitment to continuity and succession planning, a managed transition period may be offered where appropriate.

Remuneration & Location

• Remuneration: Voluntary position.

• Expenses: Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses associated with Theme Lead activities will be reimbursed.

• Location: Primarily virtual, with occasional in-person meetings and events.

Why Apply?

• Shape the future of epilepsy research in the UK.

• Influence strategic priorities and funding opportunities.

• Build new collaborations across disciplines and institutions.

• Contribute to improvements in the lives of people affected by epilepsy.

How to Apply

• We are particularly seeking researchers with expertise relevant to either the Neurodevelopment or Reproduction & Hormones themes, including laboratory-based, translational, mechanistic and pre-clinical research approaches.

• To apply please complete this short application form

To request further information, please email Emma and Martin using : [email removed]

Application deadline : Friday 20 November 2026

Interviews : Virtual, early December 2026