Notice

UK Space Agency SEAC: Call for Chairperson nomination

Published 2 May 2025

Space exploration has an exciting few years ahead. The UK has interest in programmes such as Rosalind Franklin, Lunar Gateway and Mars Sample Return, from both academic and industrial perspectives.

The term of the next SEAC Chair will cover a pivotal period as the UK’s ambitions for future space exploration are defined. SEAC has an important role to advise the UK on its strategy and priorities for space exploration, especially ahead of the ESA Council of Ministers in 2025.

The ideal candidate should have knowledge of human and robotic exploration, an understanding of the UK’s activities in this domain, both nationally and through ESA, and how these activities align with the broader National Space Strategy and the government’s science and technology objectives. 

The SEAC is responsible for advising the Agency on matters relating to robotic and human space exploration programmes. The Committee’s remit includes advising on UK participation in the European Space Agency’s Exploration programmes, other bilateral collaborations and national activities in support of these programmes. 

The programmes include enabling missions that explore the Moon and Mars, as well as research on the International Space Station. Membership of the SEAC comprises representatives from both the academic and industrial communities, covering a wide range of relevant disciplines such as biomedicine, fundamental physics, robotics and autonomy, and space science. 

The Chair of the group plays an important role in guiding discussions, tasking members with specific activities and reporting to the Agency’s senior leadership. This role requires preparing for and chairing three one-day meetings and four shorter virtual meetings per year. The total effort is expected to be around 9-10 days per year. 

The Chair of the group plays an important role in guiding discussions, tasking members with specific activities and reporting to the Agency’s senior leadership. This role requires preparing for and chairing three one-day meetings and four shorter virtual meetings per year. The total effort is expected to be around 9-10 days per year. Expenses and an honorarium will be provided to cover the time and costs associated with fulfilling these duties. 

Nominations should be made no later than 4pm on 31 May 2025 by email to spaceexploration@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.

Please include:

• name  

• organisation 

• brief summary (200-300 words) of relevant experience  

• a recent copy of your CV (no more than 3 pages) 

Suitable candidates are expected to have:  

• experience of working with international space programmes (e.g. with ESA, NASA) 

• broad knowledge of the UK R+D landscape 

• knowledge of the political and strategic challenges of work in this area, at both a national and international level 

• experience of working in similar advisory positions for government or other public bodies (e.g. government agencies, Research Councils, other funding bodies.) 

The Chair will be for a two-year term, commencing October 2025. Meetings are usually held three times per year and the next SEAC meeting will be held on 8 October so please make sure that you are available on this date. 

To submit a nomination (either for yourself or for a colleague) or for more information about the SEAC and what membership entails, please contact the Exploration Team at spaceexploration@ukspaceagency.gov.uk.