The Role
The Supergen ORE Hub is inviting applications for an Early Career Network Lead.
We are seeking an enthusiastic early career representative to represent the Supergen ORE Hub Early Career Network and to provide input to the Supergen ORE Hub Management Board. This voluntary role offers an excellent opportunity to work closely with the Hub Directors and contribute to the strategic direction of the Hub, developing your professional network and helping to shape the support provided to the Early Career community.
The successful applicant will represent the views of the Early Career Network at Management Board meetings and work closely with the Hub operational team to coordinate activities for the Early Career community. This includes developing opportunities for networking and professional development across both the Early Career Researcher and Early Career Industry communities, leading the organisation of an annual online Early Career Network event, provisionally scheduled for October 2026, coordinating the annual in-person Early Career Forum in 2027 (held the day before the Supergen ORE Hub Annual Assembly), and supporting additional Early Career events and online presence where appropriate.
The appointment will begin in September 2026, with a short handover from the outgoing Early Career Co-Leads, alongside longer term support and guidance from the Early Career Network Lead Co-Directors. The successful applicant will also be supported by the Early Career Committee, including the Deputy Lead, Industry Representative and Communications Officer (subject to these positions remaining in post). The voluntary position is expected to continue until the end of the current Supergen ORE Hub phase, until mid-2027.
Application process
We are looking for an Early Career Representative who is committed to representing the Supergen ORE Hub Early Career Network and shaping activities for the benefit of the Early Career community.
The role includes attending regular online Management Board meetings, representing the Early Career community in-person at the Supergen ORE Hub Annual Assembly and other Hub events where appropriate, convening and chairing Early Career Committee online meetings, coordinating the work of the Early Career Committee and leading the planning and delivery of the Early Career Network activities, including the annual Early Career Network online event, the in-person Forum, and other networking or professional development events as appropriate.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Hub's definition of an Early Career Researcher at the point of appointment (see Appendix) and have an active network of contacts across the Supergen ORE Hub academic and, where possible, Early Career Industry communities, enabling them to effectively represent the views and interests of those early in their career across the community.
Applications should include:
A one-page (A4) CV that clearly states your current career stage to demonstrate eligibility.
A one-page (A4) statement outlining why you are suitable for the role, including:
your reasons for applying;
your commitment to attending a minimum of eight monthly online Management Board meetings and the in-person Annual Assembly;
your commitment to convening and chairing online Early Career Network Committee meetings;
your commitment to coordinating the annual online Early Career Network event, the in-person Forum, and other Early Career Network activities where appropriate;
your connection with the Supergen ORE Hub Early Career community.
All documents should have a minimum margin of 20 mm on all sides and use a font size of no less than 11 pt. Please combine your documents into a single PDF and submit your application by email to supergenorehub@eng.ox.ac.uk with the subject line:
"Supergen ORE Hub Early Career Lead Application 2026/27 – (Applicant Surname)"
Applications must be received by 5:00 pm (BST) on 1st September 2026.
Assessment process
All eligible applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by the Supergen ORE Hub Directors. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within three weeks of the closing date. The successful applicant will be announced on or before 22nd September 2026.
Queries
If you have any questions about the role, please contact supergenorehub@eng.ox.ac.uk, marked for the attention of Dr Hannah Mullings and Dr Emma Edwards (Outgoing Co- Leads).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Supergen ORE Hub is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive research community that values diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We recognise the importance of diverse perspectives in strengthening our research community and are committed to ensuring that all eligible applicants are treated fairly throughout the selection process.
Applications will be assessed solely on their merits against the published criteria. No eligible applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
Appendix
Early Career definition and eligibility to apply
Applicants for the Lead role must meet one of the following criteria at the point of appointment:
Early Career Academic Staff (within three years of their first academic appointment); or
Postdoctoral Research Assistants (PDRAs).
Although the wider Early Career Network includes and welcomes those early in their career in commercial roles as well as final-year PhD students, the Early Career Committee Lead role is intended for researchers who are at a later stage of their early academic career and are well placed to represent the development of research as well as the broader Early Career community.
