CSIC call for applicants for Early-Career Academics and Professionals Panel

Nominations are now being accepted for new prospective members to the third cohort of the CSIC ‘Early-Career Academics and Professionals Panel’ (ECAPP).

We anticipate activities for this third ECAPP Cohort will focus on the following themes: understanding systems-thinking in the built environment; making the case for the value of smart infrastructure, achieving sustainable goals through smart solutions.   

The purposes of ECAPP are: 

• To increase the diversity of views that are considered in CSIC’s strategic decision making. 
• To strengthen connections between CSIC, its industry Members, and its broader academic network. In particular, to encourage the development of these connections between individuals at an increased range of seniorities. 
• To provide a career development opportunity for early-career academics and professionals, through which they can meet like-minded individuals and work together to deliver a programme of activity, jointly agreed between the panel and CSIC.  

The application window is now open for nomination of UK-based prospective panel members. If you are interested in nominating someone from your organisation, or would like to nominate yourself, please send the information listed below to CSIC (csic-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk) by 5pm on Friday 12 July 2024. 

ECAPP Opportunities

The panel provides opportunities for career development and networking, helping future industry and academic leaders in the fields of smart infrastructure and construction to build connections with like-minded peers and senior figures drawn from across the sector. Members of the panel will have the opportunity to publish thought leadership articles through ECAPP’s written output, which will find a significant readership among CSIC’s academic and industry networks and through its connections to industry publications. There will be mentorship and support throughout the tenure on ECAPP from senior figures among CSIC’s core leadership and Steering Group.

ECAPP will have approximately 10 members drawn from across academia and industry, including both industry ‘clients’ (e.g., infrastructure asset owners/managers) and ‘supplier’ organisations (e.g., contractors, consultants, and their supply chains). ECAPP members shall typically be at a relatively early stage of their careers – within approximately the first 10 years of graduation, or equivalent – and working in areas of relevance to CSIC. Individual circumstances, such as career breaks or changes, will be taken into consideration during the appointment process. In total, ECAPP’s activities and the attendance of meetings should not consume more than 10 working days annually. Companies nominating ECAPP members are encouraged to fund their time and related expenses using their own internal budgets (e.g., for staff training or development). 

For more details of ECAPP and the requirements of the role, please see the attached Terms of Reference.

Application Process: 

Candidates can be nominated by their organisation, or they may nominate themselves directly. In either case, the following information must be sent to CSIC (csic-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk) by 5pm on Friday 12th July 2024: 

• Name, current role/organisation, and contact email address 
• CV 
• Brief (approx. 500 words) expressions of interest, outlining the candidate’s academic and/or professional experience to date, reasons for wishing to join ECAPP, and a summary of what they hope to gain from participation in ECAPP. 
• Number of years of post-graduate (or equivalent) academic/professional experience to date, and details of any career change or break that should be considered while assessing candidates as ‘early career’ academics or professionals. 
• A statement of support from the applicant’s line manger if applicable.  

CSIC will use the expressions of interest to produce a shortlist of candidates and invite new members to join ECAPP for 2024 – 2025, with the possibility of extension for a second year of membership. Applicants from CSIC Member organisations will be prioritised. CSIC may wish to interview candidates prior to appointment and will contact candidates directly to confirm the outcome of their application. CSIC may contact unsuccessful shortlisted candidates and request permission to store their details and contact them at a later date regarding potential future cohorts of the panel. 

The third cohort of ECAPP will initially be in place for one year, from 9th September 2024 to 8th September 2025. A kick-off meeting is planned for 25 September in Cambridge.  

Tenure of Panel Members and Possibilities for Extension

Membership of ECAPP will initially be for a nominal period of 1 year, in the first instance, though this tenure and possibilities for extension will be kept under review by CSIC. In this circumstance, panel members will be contacted to confirm who would be able to continue in post for a second year. 

• Read and download Terms of Reference here

• Read and download the Role Description here