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Dear friends, colleagues, and members of ISARIC
 
The first two year term of our current chair, Dr. Abdullah Brooks, has ended, and consistent with the ISARIC terms of reference, we are launching a search process for the next chair. Abdullah is eligible to stand for re-election and is currently deciding whether he will do so.
 
As you can appreciate, ISARIC is a large and complex organization, representing researchers from all parts of the world, and spanning a spectrum of clinical disciplines from epidemiology and public health to infectious diseases and tropical medicine to intensive care. Our members comprise more than 50 academic consortia, and our partners include major funding bodies and public health authorities including the US CDC, ECDC, and the WHO.
 
The next chair of ISARIC must be someone who not only reflects this diversity, but who also has the scientific track record and leadership skills to meld this diverse group of organizations into a dynamic and scientifically productive whole. The ISARIC chair will be the voice of this remarkable collaboration in speaking to funders, researchers, professional bodies, and policy makers, and must be able to serve as the principle investigator on collaborative grants to support ISARIC activities. He/she will have a number of strengths and skills:
 
• An established track record as a senior investigator in one or more of the scientific disciplines that support ISARIC’s visionof inter-pandemic actions and pandemic research readiness
• Prior leadership experience in directing the activities of a successful academic research group
• A reputation for integrity, collegiality, and inclusiveness
• Experience in dealing with large granting agencies and policy makers
• A strong track record of mentorship and intellectual generosity
• The capacity to work closely with the ISARIC Coordinating Centre staff in Oxford
• A transformative vision for the future of emergent clinical research
 
A record of active involvement in the initial activities of ISARIC through engagement with one or more of the working groups or involvement with governance will be viewed favorably. Equally, a capacity to dedicate a significant amount of time and energy without remuneration is an unfortunate necessity.
 
As we launch the search for our next chair, we invite our member groups to nominate themselves or other individuals who possess this special combination of vision and skill, and who would be willing to dedicate the time and energy necessary to bring the ISARIC vision to fruition. The term is 2 years with an option for renewal; the chair receives no salary support, although his/her expenses in conducting ISARIC business will be covered by the consortium.
 
Please feel free to contact myself or any of the members of the nominating committee if you have questions about the process.
 
Please forward nominations with a letter of interest from, and the CV of the candidate to my attention by May 13, 2016. Our plan is to have completed elections by the end of May, so that the chair position can be confirmed in June.Thanks for your ongoing support of this activity, and for your engagement to ensure its continued success.
 
 
John Marshall MD, Chair, Nominating Committee (MarshallJ@smh.ca)
Fred Hayden MD
Calum Semple MB