Bioscience for Integrated Understand of Health is one of three key strategic research priorities set out in BBSRC’s strategic vision. The BIUH sector covers a diverse range of scientific disciplines, including animal health, One Health, ageing across the life course, diet and health, regenerative biology, immunology and neuroscience. In 2020/21 BBSRC’s research funding in this sector totalled £69.2M.

Bovine Tuberculosis Portfolio

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease of cattle that is endemic in the UK. This disease causes significant animal health, welfare and economic impact on the livestock industry.

BBSRC works closely with other national animal health funders, industry and government agencies such as Defra to support research into understanding the disease, diagnosis and control following the release of the strategy for achieving Bovine Tuberculosis Free Status for England: 2018 review.

Bovine tuberculosis sits in the animal health priority and One Health challenge area within the Bioscience for Health strategic Research Framework and BIUH portfolio of investments. Scientific areas within this portfolio include epidemiology, immunology, vaccinology, animal production and animal welfare.

An opportunity exists for a Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) placement to join the Bioscience for Integrated Understanding of Health (BIUH) science strategy team of UKRI-BBSRC, to provide input into the development of BBSRC’s research strategy investment into bovine tuberculosis (bTB). This role will provide the intern with insight of strategy development at BBSRC and how research can support national and international policy on bovine tuberculosis surveillance and control.

The role will be located in the BIUH team within the Research Strategy programme at BBSRC and provides a unique opportunity to analyse BBSRC funded bTB portfolio and organise a workshop with grant holders and external stakeholders. In carrying out these roles, the intern will learn about the impacts of the science BBSRC funds in partnership with government departments and how science strategy is developed and implemented across
the UK and at the global scale. Depending on the available start date, the PIPS intern will be asked to lead or contribute to:

Core activities:

• Evaluate BBSRC-Defra-NC3Rs ERADbTB programme to understand where research has focused on bovine TB surveillance, diagnostics, and control. The analysis will use data BBSRC holds on the portfolio of investments for bovine TB, including project objectives and research summaries as well as reporting data provided from ResearchFish (the reporting system used by grant holders for BBSRC awards).
• Organise a BBSRC-Defra-NC3Rs-ERADbTB programme Grant holders workshop in the autumn of 2022. The purpose of the workshop will include grant holder’s providing research project updates and a discussion on lessons learnt from the research programme.

Additional activities:

• Working with the Grant holders, Funders and across BBSRC to produce case studies for publication for a range of audiences (including the general public, government, researchers) demonstrating the impact of BBSRC bovine tuberculosis research activities including the ERADbTB programme of research projects.
• Carry out portfolio analysis of BBSRC bTB portfolio and Coordinate an external bovine tuberculosis expert working group (including researchers, government departments and other interested stakeholders), to gain an understanding of the bovine tuberculosis research gaps and opportunities for BBSRC communities; identifying strengths in the UK bTB research community; understand the wider bTB funding landscape and impact on national policy.
• Produce a paper on the outcomes of to be discussed at the BIUH Strategy Advisory Panel

The PIPS intern should have enthusiasm for science, and policy relevance, as well as good organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills. This placement will also be an excellent professional development opportunity as well as a chance to learn about other activities of BBSRC and UKRI.

How to apply

Download and complete the application form and return it via email to pips@bbsrc.ac.uk by 25 July 2022.