I curse Brexit daily, but some days more than others
I hope those of my fellow passport queue members who voted for it spend some of the two hours reflecting on whether they might change their mind in a future decision...
Sorry for the cliché: not sure how to avoid it...
I am very honoured to join such an illustrious list of previous winners
And – of course – the credit largely belongs to the fabulous people I have been lucky enough to work with @dunnschool.bsky.social and earlier @mrclmb.ac.uk
Women scientists look at sample
Been away from scientific research for over a year and want to get back to the bench?
LMB's new Career Returner Fellowship bridges the gap for those who want to re-enter lab-based research.
Applications open 13 April
More info mrclmb.ac.uk/careers-and-...
PLEASE SHARE THIS!
@mrclmb.ac.uk
The Oxford Fieldpaths Society, born to preserve 'Footpaths, Bridlepaths and Commons in the neighbourhood of Oxford’ turns 100 this week. We took a look at their work #shortread
What an excellent choice!
Huge congratulations, James
Just as I am looking forward to hosting you!
Wildflowers in an Oxford quad
Spring is well and truly sprung @somervillecollege.bsky.social
Getting involved as an organiser of one of our Workshops is easy. We focus on the logistics, so you can focus solely on the science. Watch this video to hear from some of our previous organisers. The call for proposals for 2028 programme runs until 29 May. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eShr...
photo of company staff
Paid 12-month internship: Communications Officer. We have an exciting opportunity for someone looking to take their first step into a science communication or publishing role. Based Cambridge, UK (& wfh). See the full role description for further details at biologists.com/wp-content/u...
We are excited to be recruiting into 3 Associate Professorship's in @oxfordbiochemistry.bsky.social. Come join us as a colleague and benefit from our vibrant and multidisciplinary environment. Reach out to me if you have any questions. Please repost! (tinyurl.com/48deybuu) (tinyurl.com/4pdvjaft).
Interested in one of the top jobs in European biology?
@embo.org has opened a call for its next Director, to succeed Fiona Watt
Really spectacular opportunity! Spread the word...
www.embo.org/features/emb...
Me too. Like you, Alan’s work was miles from mine but I got to know him well @biologists.bsky.social
Not only was his biology super-cool but his commitment to the community and his wise judgement always impressed
Condolences to his family and colleagues
Another update from #UKRI CEO on #UKsciencefunding #UKRI
www.ukri.org/news/ukri-ce...
No new information and fails to address/explain the severe funding rate cuts taking place at MRC for the round currently under review (Sept2025). That's 2025/26 budget so should *not* be affected by SR.
New paper from my group in @science.org : "A small polymerase ribozyme that can synthesise itself and its complementary strand" www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Outstanding work by @edogia.bsky.social
Fun, interesting, great for a dose of humility...
Raymond stands at the centre of the picture next to the entrance to the seminar room. He is surrounded by five family members including his wife.
Yesterday we came together to honour Professor Raymond Dwek through the naming of the Raymond Dwek Seminar Room. Raymond's family (pictured) joined the celebration and Raymond was visibly touched, saying: "Thank you for this amazing gesture. I'm humbled by it, but I will treasure it."
Would you like to write for The Economist? We are hiring for our science and technology internship. Find out more and apply here
UKRI boss - we're really good at curiosity-driven research, so let's spend less money on it.
The US has shot itself in the stomach scientifically. But the UK is needlessly shooting itself in the foot.
"but he said overall, the money available to researchers was set to increase with "more emphasis on commercialisation".
How many times... FUND CURIOSITY-DRIVEN SCIENCE...
Then impact and commercialisation will come...
🙄😬😱
This looks like a less than smart set of ideas and is in itself logically incoherent. Force basic funding towards more applied research (there is no substitute for such explorative research), and then also cut bridge funding for marketing early stage startups and innovation. 🤦♂️
Update from MRC re funding
Paywalled but visible to many uni-based people
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Paywalled, but uni-based folk can maybe see it
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
To me, room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Helpful update into UKRI and research council funding changes from Zoe Kleinman @zsk.bsky.social
But please more focus on 2 things...
1) Immediate effects (eg funding decisions expected in March)
2) Likely disproportionate effects on early career scientists
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Yuck
Advertising? In Keynote? Screenshot?
Was it in an automatic system update or a conscious one of Keynote itself?
This is bad
Agreed - it's a shame the committee didn't press on that point. What are the apparently specific issues at MRC? It will be almost a year without new responsive mode funds being allocated, on top of a massively cut in funded grants in Sept25 round - Why?...
Usually communications are this poor reflect bad thinking, not only bad expression.
In this case - I suspect
- consequences weren't completely thought out, esp. on careers of junior researchers;
- execs more concerned with secrecy than secondary effects;
- underlying drivers still a little murky.
