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Join our Scientific Committee
We are recruiting new members to our Scientific Committee – Academics working in Schizophrenia and Psychosis research wanted!
Our Scientific Committee was established in 2021 and we are looking to extend its membership to specifically to cover grants that we will award through our Schizophrenia Research Fund. We have recently received donations that require awards to focus on basic and translational research related to schizophrenia and psychosis. We rely on the expertise of Scientific Committee members to help us review PhD scholarship applications and are seeking 2-3 additional members to join the committee.
You would join a small committee of clinical and non-clinical academics with diverse academic backgrounds, offering views and experiences to advise us and help us with our work. Appointment will be for 2 years in the first instance. We want this group to be as diverse as possible in terms of gender, age and ethnicity, and will also welcome academics with lived experience of mental health problems. The main roles for members are:
To comprise, with the academic trustees, the MHRUK awards panel. This panel is responsible for shortlisting applications, recommending external referees for the shortlisted applications, and prioritising awards for funding. The committee meets twice per year in June and October for shortlisting and prioritisation of funding respectively. We are looking for people with methodological expertise, and sufficient breadth of experience and interest in schizophrenia and psychosis research to help us make our prestigious PhD awards.
To help publicise the activities of MHRUK through social media and other outlets. This means we are looking for people willing to use social media and their networks to promote MHRUK.
To engage in discussions about the strategic direction of the charity and to advise us how we can maximise our impact on mental health research in the UK.
From time to time, advise MHRUK on specific issues relevant to their areas of expertise.
To attend the annual Scholars’ Day in the spring in order to provide feedback on the progress of the scholars. The next Scholars’ Day will be held online on 16th April 2026, from 10am to 1pm.
In summary, while not a hugely onerous role (approximately 3-4 days per year) we are seeking individuals who are willing to make a commitment to participate in our work developing the next generation of mental health researchers and to help us guide the future of MHRUK.
If you would like to apply to join the Scientific Committee, please submit an expression of interest using our online form.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 20th February 2026 at 5pm. Potential applicants who have queries about the role are welcome to contact the chair of the awards panel Dr Vanessa Pinfold (vanessapinfold@mcpin.org).
Alternatively, please feel free to distribute to those in your networks who you think might be interested in, and suitable for, such a role. Please note that we would be interested to consider applications from established researchers at any stage of their research career.