The British Science Association (BSA) has today (Monday 25 April) announced that its Chief Executive, Imran Khan, will be stepping down from his post later this year after over three years leading the organisation.

Imran will take up the role of Head of Public Engagement at the Wellcome Trust in September.

The BSA is now inviting applications from candidates to fill this important and exciting vacancy.

The organisation successfully re-launched its vision and mission last year: to make science a fundamental part of culture and society. Last week, it unveiled a charter and is calling on organisations and business leaders from across different sectors to come up with innovative ideas to help make this vision a reality. Last month saw the BSA deliver a successful British Science Week, featuring thousands of events around the country, and release the new ScienceLive platform.

The BSA’s 30-strong head office team, supported by its UK-wide network of branches led by volunteers, delivers a broad range of programmes, events and activities aimed at growing and diversifying the community of people engaged in science, who see it as part of their cultural identity, and who have the confidence to have their say over science’s direction and place in society.

Forthcoming events in the BSA calendar include a new sci-comm 'primer' event, for those in the early stages of their careers; the British Science Festival in Swansea, from 6 – 9 September; the launch of a digital platform for the BSA’s flagship education programme, CREST, alongside the start of CREST’s 30th anniversary celebrations; and the roll-out of new engagement platforms – such as the partnership with The Story Collider – through partners in the UK Science Festivals Network.

The Rt. Hon. the Lord Willetts, former Science Minister and current Chair of Council at the BSA, said:  "Imran has made a fantastic contribution to the British Science Association. Under his leadership we have achieved a huge amount, including the launch of an energising new vision and strategy for the future. A refocusing of our programmes and internal functions has made us a much more modern, commercially savvy, and efficient organisation.

"I’m excited to be leading the search for Imran’s successor. It is an excellent time to be joining the BSA as we continue to evolve."

Imran Khan said: "The British Science Association was founded in 1831, nearly two centuries ago. I’ve no doubt at all that it will go on to help shape British culture for many years still to come, and it’s been an enormous privilege to have had the chance to help write a small part of that story."

Applications open today and will close on 25 May 2016.

Read the press release here.

View the job description and person specification available here.