Call for Early Career Representative Nominations 2026

Early Career Representative (ECR)

The SRF values the views and opinions of its Early Career members, who make up approximately half of the SRF members, and now has four Early Career Representatives (ECR) positions on the Council. 

Early Career Representatives: For the purposes of SRF Council, Early Career refers specifically to members who are PhD students or current postdoctoral researchers. These representatives ensure that the perspectives of researchers at the start of their careers are included in Council discussions and decision-making.

Our representation includes two PhD students and two Postdoctoral researchers.  These roles are an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insight into the workings of the Society and to ensure full representation of the early career SRF members in SRF decision making. 

There are currently two ECR member vacancies to join the SRF Council in January 2027, due to the following ECRs completing their terms of office.

• Postdoc ECR Dr Vipul Batra
• PhD ECR Rebecca Ainslie

Both roles will be for a duration of two years from January 2027. Terms are staggered to allow for continuity and support of new ECRs from existing ones.

Successful candidates will be working alongside the Council Members, Journal Editors-in-Chief and Early Career Representatives listed below. 

The role

As a PhD or Postdoc ECR you will participate in Council and Committee meetings, as indicated below, where you will represent the views and concerns of Early Career members, including undergraduates, MSc, PhD students and postdoctoral scientists. During the two-year term, you will have the opportunity to be part of SRF Committees and to contribute to discussions and decision-making processes as necessary. 

ECRs also take a leading role in managing social media sites and are responsible for organising the SRF Early Career Researcher Symposium at the annual Fertility meeting (liaising with the SRF Programme Committee Chair).  In addition to tasks related to the committees they sit on, ECRs are expected to be responsible for arranging events and resources for EC members. Support and advice will be given by all members of the Council as necessary. 

Please note that ECRs are still able to benefit from SRF grants, bursaries, and awards. 

Attendance at meetings

Council Meetings are held either preceding the Fertility conference, or as standalone meeting in Spring/Autumn at a hotel in an accessible UK location, currently at Manchester Airport (further details below). These meeting span two days, typically commencing on the PM of the first day,  andfollowed by a working dinner (the meeting is on location) and a full working day the second day.  Attendance will be required for both days. Overnight accommodation and food will be provided during the meetings and travel (economy) expenses reimbursed according to the SRF Expense policy.

Early Career Representatives are expected to participate in all Council and Committee meetings – either virtually or in person to be advised by SRF Council Chair – and should be available for the following:

• Fertility Conference and Council meetings
  • For Fertility you will be expected to arrive a day preceding the Fertility Conference for an afternoon meeting and partake in the full programme of activities including, chairing, judging SRF awards and posters, and social activities.
• Council meetings in Spring and Autumn, Thursday and Friday – dates TBC
  • Council meetings are held at a hotel in an accessible UK location (currently Manchester Airport) or virtually and take a Thursday-to-Friday format. Meetings are held on Thursday afternoon, followed by a working dinner (the meeting is on location) and on Friday from 09.00 – 16.00.
• Virtual Committee meetings approximately 3 or 4 times a year.

ECRs based in the United Kingdom: You will be reimbursed for travel costs incurred in attending these meetings.

ECRs based internationally: You will be reimbursed for travel costs incurred to attend the January Council meetings (coinciding with Fertility conference) and may be invited to the to attend the Spring or Autumn meeting in person during your two-year term on Council (with an expectation of virtual attendance to the other Council meetings).

Economy travel expenses will be reimbursed, and overnight accommodation/food will be provided as necessary in accordance with the SRF Expense Policy.

How to apply

For either of the above posts please complete the Early Career nomination form to be submitted via the website to by the deadline listed below.

To be eligible:

• 2026 SRF membership fees must have been paid by Monday 2 November, and the candidate must have been a member for a minimum of 12 months prior to nomination.
• Postgraduate ECR: candidate must be enrolled as a graduate student in a recognised PhD programme in a discipline related to the mission of the SRF and must have a minimum of 12 months left in their programme from January 2027.
• Postdoc ECR: candidate must have a PhD in a discipline related to the mission of the SRF and must be currently employed in a postdoctoral (or equivalent) position in academia or industry. The candidate must not be considered an independent researcher.

Please include in your application:

• What you would bring to the role and goals for your term as an Early Career Representative (PhD or Postdoc). Please be aware that this information will be used for the election if required.
• Brief details about yourself including your research and interest in reproductive biology.
• Recent photo.
• PhD ECR: please provide a letter of support from your supervisor on headed paper and confirmation of your enrolment in a PhD programme from your organisation.
• Postdoc ECR: please provide a copy of your PhD degree certificate and confirmation of your Postdoc employment (letter of employment confirming your status from your Institution and a letter from your supervisor supporting your nomination on headed paper)
• ECR Nominations must be supported by a reference from a fully paid (as of Monday 2 November 2026) member of the Society. This can be the supervisor if they are a member (A list of current Members can be found in the Members Area of the SRF website under “Notice of Elections”).

Timeline

Nominations must be submitted by application on the SRF member area by 09.00 hrs GMT on Monday 2 November 2026.

All nominations received will be screened by the SRF Chair and a nominated working group to determine eligibility. Should the number of eligible nominations received by Monday 2 November 2026 exceed the number of vacancies, then, as stated in the Articles of Association Article 50.7 to 50.10, the Secretary shall issue voting instructions to each Associate Member of the Society (who has paid for their membership by Monday 2 November 2026).  If no applications are received for one of the positions, SRF Council may decide to co-opt a ECR to fill the role, conduct another nomination process or choose not to fill the position.

Week commencing Monday 16 November 2026:

If more than one eligible application is received for either of the Early Career Representative positions, all Associate members will be sent a unique link to vote online to elect the next Early Career Representative.

Monday 14 December 2026:

Voting closes at 17.00 GMT. Results of the elections will be announced at the AGM, nominees will be advised of the outcome prior to the announcement at the SRF AGM.

January 2027: The names of the members who are successfully elected as Trustees will be announced formally at the 2027 SRF AGM.

Please contact SRF Secretariat or current ECRs if you have any questions regarding the committee responsibilities or activities.

Please read carefully and make sure that you have all the information required prior to submitting your nomination