Contract Template Working Group: Call for applications

The Brunswick Suite of Research Contract Templates has been hosted by ARMA for use by the research sector for a number of years. Following an update exercise, the ARMA Contract Template Working Group (CTWG) is now being established to monitor and evaluate the use of the suite of templates, including necessary updates or surrounding guidance based on sector feedback to ensure the templates remain relevant and effective. The CTWG is now seeking new members for its inaugural meeting.

The CTWG will meet every quarter to assess sector feedback on the templates and incorporate improvements or changes required due to changes in law, policy, or practice in the research management sector. Between meetings, they also play a key role in identifying opportunities for greater collaboration and sharing of best practice across the sector in the field of contracts. The CTWG will combine drafting updates as well as proposing policy/position changes, and helping generate guidance for the sector both on templates and issues that affect research contracts. For more information, please refer to the working group’s draft Terms of Reference.

The CTWG is specifically looking to ensure a broad representation of the research sector and range of views within its membership and, therefore, would welcome expressions of interest from the following:

• To ensure representation from across the sector, we welcome applications from those working for research institutes, independent research organisations, public sector research establishments, Catapult centres, NHS bodies, mission groups and funders
• To ensure the highest quality input we would like to seek applications from those who have experience of using the templates in a variety of real-world situations – although we are would also value experience of working in other sectors on similar challenges
• We would like to ensure representation both from those who are legally qualified and those who are qualified by experience
• While the core of the group will be those working in research contracts, we’d also like to hear from people in roles that are not dedicated solely to research contracts – for example, contracts may be part of your role or you may have exposure to contracts and their impact in roles such as finance, pre/post award, governance, trusted research, project management, or academic posts that would be valuable for feeding into the templates
• Due to the differing legal jurisdictions, we would like to ensure representation from those based in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as those in England and Wales

We may also directly appoint representations to the CTWG from collaborating sector groups.

If you are interested in applying to join the CTWG, please send us an expression of interest statement (no more than 400 words), summarising who you are and what you do, why are interested in joining the Contract Template Working Group and what you feel you could bring to the role. Please indicate if you have a legal qualification or are qualified by experience. Send the statement to Nicole@arma.ac.uk (subject line: ‘Contract Template Working Group vacancies’).

The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 31 October 2025. You are not required to be an ARMA member to join the working group.

Our commitment to EDI

ARMA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.  It is a strategic priority for us to improve representation within our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from groups who are underrepresented within our community. We are committed to taking active steps within our recruitment process to reduce bias and minimise barriers to application and participation. We are also committed to offering a flexible and inclusive working environment for our employees. We offer a range of adjustments throughout the process to enable full participation. If there is anything further we can do, we encourage you to get in touch.