Governance vacancies 2024

The deadline to apply for 2024 governance vacancies has now passed. If you have any queries, please email [email protected].

Every year, we run an election and other appointment processes to recruit new members to our governance structure. On this page, you can find a list of vacancies which are available this year, the links to apply and further information about the roles and how we will process your application.

There are many benefits to joining our governance structure. As well as the professional development and networking opportunities, we find that many members of our governance structure really enjoy becoming more connected to the Microbiology Society community while carrying out their roles. The vacancies available this year span the breadth of our Council, Committees, Divisions and the Members Panel. We would love to hear from you, whether you have been involved with the Society’s governance before, or it is your first time getting involved!

Available vacancies

We have 62 vacancies currently open for applications across our governance structure. Applications are welcome from all Full, Full Concessionary, Postgraduate or Honorary Members. We accept applications from non-members with the caveat that, if their application is successful, they should become a member before starting their new role.*

Please note that there is no requirement for you to have prior experience of the Microbiology Society governance structure to apply, and that any expenses necessary for you to perform your role on behalf of the Society will always be covered, up to the limits included in our expenses policy.

If you have any questions about what it is like to be a member of the governance structure, or how you can best support our Council, Committees, Divisions or the Members Panel, please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].

*Anyone who is a member of the Early Career Forum is eligible to apply for roles on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee, including Undergraduate and Affiliate members. Candidates for these roles must be members of the Early Career Forum, you can find out how to sign up on our EC Forum page.

Council

Council is composed of eighteen people elected or appointed from the Society membership; it provides the strategic direction of the Society and is responsible for its governance and financial sustainability. Members of Council bear the legal responsibilities of Trustees of the Charity and Directors of the Company and take a variety of important strategic and legal decisions on how the Society deploys its assets and supports its membership.

Learn more about Council.

President

The President acts as custodian for the Society’s mission and objectives and is responsible for the overall direction of Council, ensuring that Council takes an effective role in the governance of the Society. The President also represents the Society externally and is responsible, with the Chief Executive and the Officers, for the effective and efficient running of the Society.

One vacancy
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027
Time commitment approximately 30 days per year
Read full role description

As well as accepting applications directly, we encourage members to reach out to us if they have any suggestions for people who they think could be strong candidates to become President. If you have any potential candidates in mind, please contact [email protected], noting their name, institution and any reasons you think they would make a good President.

This vacancy is appointed by Council and we may wish to schedule a meeting with potential candidates as part of the application process.

Elected Members of Council

Elected Members of Council are full Trustees and Directors of the Society. Council meets three times a year to discuss a range of matters affecting the whole of the Society. Elected Members may also choose to sit as a representative of Council on one of the strategic Committees.

Three vacancies
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027
Time commitment approximately 10–12 days per year
Read full role description

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Others

There are two other vacancies available on Council this year:

Early Career Forum Executive Committee co-Chair
Impact and Influence Committee co-Chair

Details can be found in their respective Committee sections below.

Early Career Forum Executive Committee

The Early Career Forum Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring that the views of the Early Career Forum are considered across all streams of the Society’s work to support the Society’s three main strategic objectives, including in the design and development of Society activities to advance careers in microbiology.

Learn more about the Early Career Forum Executive Committee.

Read the Early Career Forum Executive Committee Terms of Reference.

Co-Chair

The Early Career Forum Executive Committee has two co-Chairs who lead the Committee in representing the interests of early career microbiologists to the Society. They also sit on Council and the General Secretary’s Group.

One vacancy
Sits on Council and the Early Career Forum Executive Committee
Term of office is six months as co-Chair-elect from July 2024–December 2024, then two years as co-Chair from January 2025–December 2026
Time commitment approximately 12–15 days per year
Read full role description

This vacancy is elected by the membership of the Early Career Forum.

Committee and Division Representatives

The Early Career Forum Executive Committee and Division Representatives are each elected to sit on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee as well as one other Committee or Division of the Society’s governance structure. They participate fully in both Committees to represent the interests of early career microbiologists within the Society.

The following Committee and Division representative positions are available on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee:

Building Communities Committee Representative

One vacancy
Sits on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee and on Building Communities Committee
Term of office is two years from January 2025–December 2026

Finance Committee Representative

One vacancy
Sits on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee and on Finance Committee
Term of office is two years from January 2025–December 2026

Impact and Influence Committee Representative

One vacancy
Sits on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee and on Impact and Influence Committee
Term of office is two years from January 2025–December 2026

Sustainability Committee Representative

One vacancy
Sits on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee and on Sustainability Committee
Term of office is two years from January 2025–December 2026

Irish Division Representative

One vacancy
Sits on the Early Career Forum Executive Committee and on the Irish Division
Term of office is two years from January 2025–December 2026

These vacancies are elected by the membership of the Early Career Forum.

Members Panel

The Members Panel is a group of microbiologists from historically marginalised communities who convene to provide input to Society activities that focus on membership engagement and inclusion in support of the Society’s three main strategic objectives. The Panel provides advice and expertise to Council via the General Secretary’s Group.

Learn more about the Members Panel.

Read the Members Panel Terms of Reference.

Co-Chair

The Members Panel has two co-Chairs who lead the Panel and maintain its relationships with other parts of the governance structure. The two co-Chairs attend the General Secretary’s Group meetings and may be invited to attend some meetings of Council as required.

One vacancy
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027
Time commitment approximately 15 days per year
Read full role description

This vacancy is appointed by the Members Panel and the General Secretary.

Panel Representatives

Panel Representatives sit on the Members Panel to provide their perspective and expertise in support of the Panel’s activities. Some Panel Representatives may also sit on other Committees or Divisions on the governance structure to keep them abreast of the Panel’s activities.

Eight vacancies
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are appointed by the Members Panel and the General Secretary.

Building Communities Committee

The Building Communities Committee is responsible for driving content themes for events, journals and other activities to support the Society’s three main strategic objectives. The Committee works with the Scientific Conferences Panel and Publishing Panel to ensure their activities are aligned.

Learn more about the Building Communities Committee.

Read the Building Communities Committee Terms of Reference.

Elected Members

Elected Members sit on the Building Communities Committee to represent the interests and views of the membership to the Committee alongside representatives from the Divisions, the Society journals and some other members of the Society's governance structure.

Four vacancies
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027
Time commitment approximately 30 days per year

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Other

There is one additional vacancy available on the Building Communities Committee for a representative from the Early Career Forum. See the Early Career Forum Executive Committee section for details.

Impact and Influence Committee

The Impact and Influence Committee is responsible for advancing the understanding and impact of microbiology by highlighting the global importance of the work of our members and other microbiologists to support the Society’s three main strategic objectives.

Learn more about the Impact and Influence Committee.

Read the Impact and Influence Committee Terms of Reference.

Co-Chair

The Impact and Influence Committee has two co-Chairs who lead the Committee. They also sit on Council and the General Secretary’s Group.

One vacancy
Sits on Impact and Influence Committee and Council.
Term of office is one year as co-Chair elect from January 2025–December 2025, then three years as co-Chair from January 2026–December 2028
Time commitment approximately 12–15 days per year
Read full role description

This vacancy is appointed by Council.

Elected Members

Elected Members sit on the Impact and Influence Committee to represent the interests and views of the membership to the Committee.

Eight vacancies
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Other

There is one additional vacancy available on the Impact and Influence Committee for a representative from the Early Career Forum. See the Early Career Forum Executive Committee section for details.

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee is responsible for developing the future leadership of the Society and for ensuring the long-term viability of our operations to support the Society’s three main strategic objectives.

Learn more about the Sustainability Committe e.

Read the Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference.

Elected Members

Elected Members sit on the Sustainability Committee to represent the interests and views of the membership to the Committee.

Six vacancies
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Others

There is one additional vacancy available on the Sustainability Committee for a representative from the Early Career Forum. See the Early Career Forum Executive Committee section for details.

Eukaryotic Division

The Eukaryotic Division is one of the four divisions which plan the scientific content for the Society’s conference and events programme. The Eukaryotic Division aims to promote eukaryotic microbiology in its widest context in fundamental, medical, applied and environmental aspects.

The Chair or Chair-Elect of the Division can help and support you with your application; members interested in joining the Eukaryotic Division are encouraged to email [email protected] to discuss available roles.

Learn more about the Eukaryotic Division.

Elected Members

The Eukaryotic Division recruits Elected Members to advise on the various areas of experience and expertise within eukaryotic microbiology.

This year, the Eukaryotic Division is inviting applications from any member working in eukaryotic microbiology, but is especially keen to hear from those with knowledge of the following areas:

Industrial microbiology, synthetic biology/engineering biology, plant microbial interaction, symbiosis and beneficial, microbial ecology, microbiomes.

Five vacancies
Any eukaryotic microbiologist can apply
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Irish Division

The Irish Division is one of the four divisions which plan the scientific content for the Society’s conference and events programme. The Irish Division seeks to promote all aspects of microbiology in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Chair or Chair-Elect of the Division can help and support you with your application; members interested in joining the Irish Division are encouraged to email [email protected] to discuss the available roles.

Learn more about the Irish Division.

Elected Member

The Irish Division recruits Elected Members to represent microbiologists from different geographical areas within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is also seeking to achieve a balance of scientific knowledge and academic background.

This year, the Irish Division is seeking to recruit three elected members who, between them, will cover knowledge relevant to the following areas:

A microbiologist based in Galway

One vacancy
Candidates must be based in Galway
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

A virologist based anywhere in Ireland

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of virology and be based somewhere in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

A microbiologist based at a technological university

One vacancy
Candidates must be at a technological university and be based somewhere in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Other

There is one additional vacancy available on the Irish Division for a representative from the Early Career Forum. See the Early Career Forum Executive Committee section for details.

Prokaryotic Division

The Prokaryotic Division is one of the four divisions which plan the scientific content for the Society’s conference and events programme. The Prokaryotic Division comprises scientists working in the major areas of bacterial and archaeal microbiology.

The Chair or Chair-Elect of the Division can help and support you with your application; members interested in joining the Prokaryotic Division are encouraged to email [email protected] to discuss the available roles.

Learn more about the Prokaryotic Division.

Elected Members

The Prokaryotic Division recruits Elected Members to advise on the various areas of experience and expertise within prokaryotic microbiology.

This year, the Prokaryotic Division is seeking to recruit nine elected members who, between them, will cover knowledge relevant to the following areas:

Any prokaryote microbiologist

Two vacancies
Any prokaryote microbiologist may apply
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Genetics or genomics

Two vacancies
Candidates must have knowledge of genetics or genomics
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Infection microbiology

Two vacancies
Candidates must have knowledge of infection microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Phage microbiology

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of phage microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Prokaryote molecular microbiology

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of prokaryote molecular microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Veterinary microbiology

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of veterinary microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Virus Division

The Virus Division is one of the four divisions which plan the scientific content for the Society’s conference and events programme. The Virus Division promotes fundamental studies of the natural history, cellular and molecular biology, immunology and molecular pathogenesis of viruses of all kinds.

The Chair or Chair-Elect of the Division can help and support you with your application; members interested in joining the Virus Division are encouraged to email [email protected] to discuss the available roles.

Learn more about the Virus Division.

Elected Members

The Virus Division recruits Elected Members to advise on the various areas of experience and expertise within viral microbiology.

This year, the Virus Division is seeking to recruit seven elected members who, between them, will cover knowledge relevant to the following areas:

General virology

One vacancy
Any virologist may apply. Applications are particularly encouraged from those from underrepresented career paths or or discupline within viral microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

A European Union based virologist

One vacancy
Candidates must be virologists based in the European Union
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

DNA

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of DNA in the context of viral microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Innate immunity

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of innate immunity in the context of viral microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Plant virology

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of plant virology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

RNA

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of RNA in the context of viral microbiology
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

Translational/Drugs/Vaccines

One vacancy
Candidates must have knowledge of translational virology, drugs or vaccines
Term of office is three years from January 2025–December 2027

These vacancies are elected by the membership.

Other ways to get involved

As well as the vacancies on our Council, Committees, Divisions and the Members Panel listed above, there are many other ways you can get involved with the Society and have your say. We have outlined some examples below and you can find out more via our Get Involved page.

Council and Committees Shadowing Scheme

If you would like to know more about what it is like to sit on our governance structure but do not yet want to commit to applying for a full term, you can apply to our Council and Committees Shadowing Scheme to be put in touch with a current member of the governance structure and sit in on one of their meetings.

Journal Editorial Boards

Recruitment for our journal Editorial Boards runs on a different cycle to the other vacancies across our governance structure. These are advertised via our jobs page.

Society Champions

Champions help to promote microbiology and the Society in their local area by initiating activities and events of their own or participating in Society-led activities.

Find out more about becoming a Champion via our Society Champions page.

Prize Award Panel

Every year, we present six Prize Lectures at our Annual Conference and present the Outreach Prize at the Society Showcase. The Panel, which receives nominations and recommends the recipients of these awards to Council, is composed entirely of volunteers from the membership. Expressions of interest are now open to apply to join the Prize Award Panel deciding the winners for 2025.