Author: Paul Roach

The Natural Sciences programme at UCL is currently advertising a new post of Lecturer in Science and Society. We would be very grateful if you could advertise this opportunity within your networks.  More info on the job description and application portal can be found here.

The role will be partly shaped by the appointee’s background and expertise, but will involve working on our science and society strand of interdisciplinary core modules, helping students develop professional and communication skills to complement their science subject knowledge.  Our core modules currently focus on developing skills in computing and communication as well as research ethics and other questions relating to science and society. 

Applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply, the programme team believes strongly in equality, diversity and inclusion for both staff and students and is happy to receive applications from candidates with a strong academic science background as well as those with other relevant professional experiences. 

The deadline is November 15th, with applicants being informed shortly afterwards for interview on November 25th.

Secretarial Assistance 

The Society are looking to employ a part-time secretary to assist with committee work. The role involves creating doodle polls for committee meetings, writing agendas, keeping minutes and action logs of online meetings (either by attendance online or from recordings), distributing marketing materials and other administrative tasks by mutual agreement. The position is a zero-hours contract, working from home. The hours, which will be irregular (depending on when committees are meeting), will on average amount to about 2 hours per week.   

Relevant experience is essential.  

For further information, to discuss the role or to apply email  ceo@socnatsci.com 

Closing date 28 Oct 2021  

Derek Raine  

CEO, Society for Natural Sciences  

Reg Charity 1181964 

In June Chair Nicky King met with the new President of the Science Council Professor Carole Mundell alongside the leaders of four other bodies to discuss the issues facing professional bodies and priorities for the coming years. The conversation particularly focussed how we can increase the public understanding of the work of scientists, the professionalism of scientists and increase trust in science.

“The pandemic has shone a light upon the nature scientific debate and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to the challenges facing the globe. We talked about the role of the Science Council and PRSBs in raising the profile of professionalism in science and trust in our members. We also talked about how scientists from diverse disciplines need to learn to trust and understand each other in order to work together and communicate effectively with the public, the work of you as interdisciplinary scientists and the work of the Society is so important in this regard.” Nicky King

These conversations continued in July at the Science Council AGM and we were invited to feed into the development of the Science Council strategy for 2025. The Science Council wants to harness the expertise of our members and therefore membership of the Science Council gives Society for Natural Sciences members a voice around the table in these discussions and raises the profile of interdisciplinary science and your work.