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Early Career Life Scientists' Symposia

“Run by early career life scientists, for early career life scientists”


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.

Open for applications

Applications are open until 28 February 2026. 

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.

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.

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 Physiological Society website and submit your application via email to events@physoc.org by 28 February 2026.

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.

  • 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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