Join our Board of Trustees

Trustee vacancy (financial expertise)

Salary: Unpaid position
Benefits: Reasonable expenses paid
Location: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth
Deadline: Open
Hours: Variable

What are we seeking?

Candidates must be able to provide confident oversight of PML’s financial strategy, control systems, risk management and statutory compliance as a trustee and member of the Audit & Finance Committee. Candidates will also need to have the time, experience and inclination to be fully involved, have no conflicts of interest and will ideally understand the research funding and organisational environment within which PML operates.

We are looking for individuals who can make a positive and enthusiastic contribution to PML’s mission and who have a genuine interest in the natural environment.

We particularly welcome candidates who will broaden the cognitive, professional and lived-experience diversity of our Board and bring fresh perspectives to PML’s governance

In addition the Board of Trustees will seek to appoint candidates who are able to offer:

1. Experience at Board level or senior management level.
2. Can make informed, balanced and independent judgements on key issues.
3. Can consider the long-term implications and broad view of issues, identifying opportunities and key risks.
4. Promote PML as and when appropriate.

Download the full role description for further detail (PDF, 200KB)

What is the time commitment?

The following is considered a typical commitment required over a year:

• Attendance at meetings of the Board of Trustees of PML (currently held in March, July, November & January)
• Appropriate time before and between meetings to read papers and stay abreast of relevant developments
• Membership of the Audit & Finance Committee, which meets 3 times a year (March, June & October).
• Discussions and exchanges with the Chair outside of meetings, and where appropriate with members of the Executive.
• New Trustees are also expected to be available for introductory meetings with members of PML’s senior team and other key individuals, as part of their onboarding.

Whilst in-person attendance at meetings is encouraged, virtual attendance is possible at all meetings, with the exception of January and July Board meetings which are expected to be in-person due to the nature of their format.

Additional Information

• Trustees serve in an individual capacity rather than as a representative of any organisation or corporate body.
• Trustee positions are not remunerated. Reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with PML’s policy on Trustee expenses.
• PML encourages applications regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.
• Candidates must be in a position to join as a Trustee in the 2026 calendar year.

If you require any further information or clarification before applying, please do contact PML’s Company Secretary for an informal conversation: cmoNOSPAM@pml.ac.uk

Next Steps

If you are interested in applying for the position of a Trustee, please send your CV and a statement of suitability (maximum two page summary) outlining evidence and examples that you consider demonstrate how you meet the role requirements to PML’s Company Secretary at: cmoNOSPAM@pml.ac.uk

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence and personal data is managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018). Please see our Privacy Notice.