Early Career Life Scientists' Symposia

The Early Career Life Scientists’ Symposia (ECLS Symposia) are one day scientific conferences organised by PhD students, early career life scientists and post-docs for their peers. The organisers are encouraged to promote networking and professional development through social events and careers sessions, as well as the scientific talks and poster sessions.

The unique format provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience in giving formal talks to a peer audience and for the organising committee to develop useful skills involved with running an event. This opportunity is provided by the Biochemical Society, in collaboration with the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and The Physiological Society, and together they will contribute £3,000 funding for an in-person, hybrid or entirely virtual event.

Who can apply?

Each member of the committee must be a PhD student or an early career researcher, within five years of completing their most recent, relevant university qualification. Applicants do not need to be members of the Society to be considered. Proposals must be inclusive of all three disciplines of the supporting societies.

What is available?

The opportunity to organise an event to develop your networks, work with other scientists, raise your profile in the scientific community, and manage a budget. Each of the three sponsoring societies contributes £1,000.

How do I apply?

Applications should include:

An outline of the subject and reasons for choosing it
Preliminary programme and speaker list
Provisional budget plan, including any sponsorship raised if needed to cover extra costs
Details of other events that could be part of the conference, such as a careers fair or social event
CV from each committee member
Supporting letter from each committee member’s supervisor

To apply, please visit the BPS website and submit your application via email to getinvolved@bps.ac.uk by 30 June 2024

Representatives from each society will review all proposal applications and the successful applicants will receive guidance and support throughout the organisation process, although you will be the primary organiser.

Please note the exact date of the ECLS symposium will be decided in consultation with the three societies taking into account each society’s events calendar.

Additional tips to organise your event

Encourage attendees to submit abstracts and select oral communications from abstract submissions
Choose invited speakers as a draw for the symposium, many high-profile speakers are willing to accept invitations for ECR organised events
Think about raising sponsorship to cover extra costs such as prizes
Consider including opportunities for professional development such as networking sessions, CV, clinics, careers events, workshops
If hosting an in-person symposium, find a venue in large accessible cities – your university campus could work well
Think about how you will market your event

Contact us

For further information please get in touch with the Events department.

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