The UK COST National Coordinator (CNC) is seeking individuals to serve as Review Panel Members in the COST Action evaluation process.
Background
The ad-hoc Review Panels (RPs) are established after the annual COST Action collection date (25 October 2023) and are made up of a number of individuals from each COST member country, nominated by the CNC.
An RP expert may serve in the panel for a maximum of four collections out of eight and cannot register again until another four collection dates have passed.
There are currently vacancies for UK RP members in the following areas:
- Mathematics;
- Mechanical engineering;
- Environmental / Industrial Biotech;
- Social and Economic Geography; and
- Communication.
Honoraria shall be paid to the RP members involved in the procedure as follows: €400 per collection date.
The Role
The RP ensures the quality of the Independent External Expert evaluation outcome of COST Actions and resolves potential differences in opinions. As the outcome of their work, the RP prepare a shortlist of proposals with their validated consensus reports and marks for examination and selection by the Scientific Committee. In addition, the RP shall prepare a report to the Scientific Committee using the templates provided by COST.
The RP members should not be confused with the role of ‘expert evaluator’. Further information on the COST evaluation process is available here.
The RPs themselves arbitrate and establish a ranked list of proposals by:
a) Reviewing and validating the evaluation consensus reports and marks of the proposals for which the Independent External Experts achieved consensus.
b) For proposals without consensus, resolving the differences in opinions between the External Experts.
c) Ensuring consistency of marking across the proposals within and across the Review Panel(s).
d) Identifying those proposals with potentially high impact or that indicate emerging issues or potentially important future developments.
Nomination Process
The CNC is required to nominate Review Panel Members by end of October 2023.
Please note that whilst no previous experience is necessary, to be able to nominate an RP member in a field of science, you will need to be registered in the e-COST system and to have selected a core or high expertise within that main field of science.
The CNC are looking for individuals in the above research fields who:
- Are motivated / interested to engage in the COST framework / SESA procedure;
- Understand the difference between Evaluation and Revision (Quality Check);
- Are available to participate and work both remotely and on-site; and
- Are not interested in engaging in a COST Action proposal directly.
If you are interested in being nominated by the CNC, please send an email to cost.ukcnc@dsit.gov.uk confirming your interest, how you meet the profile above as well as your area of expertise, by no later than 30 September 2023.
Once reviewed, applicants will be provided with further information.
Please note that spaces on the RPs are limited and expressions of interest are not a guarantee of a nomination. The CNC reserves the right to select candidates based on the quality of their responses and individual profile.
For further questions please contact the CNC at cost.ukcnc@dsit.gov.uk.