Who we are
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is Scotland’s largest and oldest independent marine science organisation, delivering marine science for a productive and sustainably managed marine environment through innovative research, education and engagement with society.
Based near Oban on the Scottish west coast, our marine research and teaching portfolio is diverse in topic and discipline, global in outlook, project locations and relevance, and delivered by a SAMS team with can-do attitude working in partnership with academic, business, government, regulatory, voluntary and civic society colleagues.
SAMS is a charitable organisation (009206) with a membership that elects the Board members following a recruitment process. It is also a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland (SC 009292) and operates two wholly owned subsidiary companies: SAMS Enterprise – a specialist marine consultancy – and SAMS Ltd. It is an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The role
Are you fascinated by the marine world? Would you like to use your skills, creativity
and energy to help us improve knowledge of the marine environment and promote
its importance and value? Are you
interested in widening your horizons? If
any of these apply to you, you might just be the person we are looking for to
join our Board.
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is an independent
marine research organisation, founded in 1884, and one of the world’s oldest
oceanographic institutions. Based on the
west coast of Scotland, near Oban, SAMS is a registered charity and Company
Limited by Guarantee.
The Scottish Association for Marine Science has a
positive attitude towards diversity. We
are committed to equality of opportunity and inclusivity amongst our staff and
students: we aim to achieve balanced gender representation in our Board membership.
We are committed to:
- The creation of new knowledge about the marine environment through
undertaking world leading and innovative research; - The dissemination of that knowledge, not only through inspirational
formal educational programmes, with our principal partner, the University of
the Highlands and Islands, but also the enhancement of societal awareness
through our public engagement activities; - Using our knowledge to provide solutions for the ethical and sustainable
use of marine resources, both in our local environment and internationally.
SAMS research spans the breadth
of marine science, tackling the Grand Challenges facing the World today. We work on diverse interdisciplinary research
questions, focusing on three major challenges:
- To
discover the physical and biological processes that drive the marine
environment. - To
describe and quantify how coastal environments respond to ever-increasing
pressures. - To
develop a sustainable blue economy.
We are seeking new TRUSTEES to join the SAMS Board,
commencing in late Autumn 2025.
In general, individuals are sought who can demonstrate one or more of
the following:
- An ability to operate strategically and collaboratively
towards common goals. - Background in marine / environmental science research
- Experience of higher education
- Background in finance, risk/compliance and/or law.
- Background in media and communication, and/or public
engagement - Senior operational role in a university, research or
third sector organisation. - Experience of building effective philanthropic / fundraising relationships and networks.
- Demonstration of a
strong commitment to equality and diversity.
On this
occasion we are seeking individuals who can help strengthen the scientific
complement, finance and audit. We are
also seeking to appoint a new ambitious role: a trustee to act as a
representative of the Ocean. SAMS has
taken the bold step to ensure that SAMS governance is not exclusively anthropocentric. This trustee role will be the first time we
have recruited for the position and the person appointed will help develop the
role.
These
positions are unremunerated. Appointments
will be for an initial three-year term that may be extended for up to a further
three-years. The minimum
time commitment, including preparation for and participation in formal
committee meetings, is approximately 10 days per annum. There are a number of sub-committees of the Board,
and most Trustees are also members of these committees, for which extra time
commitment of two or three days is required.
Most meetings are held in Oban, the other half online. Should travel
expenses be incurred these will be reimbursed.
To arrange an informal discussion
about the posts, please contact Professor Nicholas J P Owens, Director (nick.owens@sams.ac.uk):
Application for the role is by:
- covering letter indicating which role (or
roles) interest you; and - a short CV
To be sent to sams.secretary@sams.ac.uk by the deadline for applications of 28 September 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be
invited to interview virtually in October with the
possibility of face-to-face interviews later. More information about SAMS,
including governance and composition of the Board of Trustees at: https://www.sams.ac.uk/about/#131679.
SAMS
Group is committed to being an equal and open organisation. Diversity and
inclusion are important to us, and we strive to remove any barriers that may
prevent people from applying to join us. We encourage applications from all
backgrounds, and from all who share our values and can help us to broaden our
knowledge and range of ideas.
