Prof Paula Salgado
@pssalgado.bsky.social
Structural Microbiologist studies molecular details of C. difficile at Newcastle University, UK. (she/her) Interested in science, politics, theatre, and so much more. Views my own. https://salgadolab.org/
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Finally comms from UKRI - on a Sunday evening. No mention of the hundreds of ECRs who will see their careers ended by these decisions and notably no explanation for MRC retrospectively applying cuts and wasting all the work that went into writing, reviewing and scoring applications - £millions
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Finally comms from UKRI - on a Sunday evening. No mention of the hundreds of ECRs who will see their careers ended by these decisions and notably no explanation for MRC retrospectively applying cuts and wasting all the work that went into writing, reviewing and scoring applications - £millions
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I am sorry. We all knew the three buckets were coming. We are all prepared for a shift in priority. But this message does nothing for all the UK scientists dependent on project grant funding. It doesn’t actually give any information
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Would have been good to have added an apology for the lack of comms so far this year, particularly for those that submitted grants to UKRI applicant-led funding streams in Sept 2025, as these are highly unlikely to be funded (www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...)
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Would have been good to have added an apology for the lack of comms so far this year, particularly for those that submitted grants to UKRI applicant-led funding streams in Sept 2025, as these are highly unlikely to be funded (www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...)
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
Open letter to the R&I community by @ukri.org CEO Ian Chapman:
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
Open letter to the R&I community by @ukri.org CEO Ian Chapman:
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Open letter to the R&I community by @ukri.org CEO Ian Chapman:
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
#UKsciencefundingcrisis MRC,BBSRC,EPSRC paused researcher-led grants until Spring. This means no funds in 2026 as evaluation takes 6-9 months. Projects halted, staff, knowledge loss. We need to challenge this and the lack of info and clarity. #ScienceisVital #academicSky
shorturl.at/ag03S
shorturl.at/ag03S
UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no… | ...
UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no cle...
www.linkedin.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:23 PM
#UKsciencefundingcrisis MRC,BBSRC,EPSRC paused researcher-led grants until Spring. This means no funds in 2026 as evaluation takes 6-9 months. Projects halted, staff, knowledge loss. We need to challenge this and the lack of info and clarity. #ScienceisVital #academicSky
shorturl.at/ag03S
shorturl.at/ag03S
I think it doesn't have to be just higher ranking academics, this needs to be from the whole Life Sciences scientific community. #ScienceisVital Time to regroup @jennyrohn.bsky.social @scurry.bsky.social @statto.bsky.social ?
January 31, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I think it doesn't have to be just higher ranking academics, this needs to be from the whole Life Sciences scientific community. #ScienceisVital Time to regroup @jennyrohn.bsky.social @scurry.bsky.social @statto.bsky.social ?
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
People involved told @francesjones.bsky.social that pulling funding will severely damage the UK’s reputation as a reliable international collaborator and put hundreds of potential jobs in doubt
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
January 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
People involved told @francesjones.bsky.social that pulling funding will severely damage the UK’s reputation as a reliable international collaborator and put hundreds of potential jobs in doubt
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Another two projects were planned national facilities for electron diffraction and mass spectrometry
...
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
The leaders of four major physics infrastructure projects due to receive over £280m from UKRI were told in December they have “not been prioritised” for funding
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
January 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The leaders of four major physics infrastructure projects due to receive over £280m from UKRI were told in December they have “not been prioritised” for funding
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
The projects include an upgrade to the LHC at Cern and a new US particle accelerator
...
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Three of the largest UKRI research councils - MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC confirm they have suspended several of their main funding routes until further notice, amid mounting concerns for curiosity-driven research www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Three of the largest UKRI research councils - MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC confirm they have suspended several of their main funding routes until further notice, amid mounting concerns for curiosity-driven research www.timeshighereducation.com/news/three-u... via @jgro-the.bsky.social
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Or:
Scientists are furious that they are learning of pauses to their main access to funding through press snippets rather than first hand dialogue with Uni research offices………..
Scientists are furious that they are learning of pauses to their main access to funding through press snippets rather than first hand dialogue with Uni research offices………..
Scientists are concerned that curiosity-driven research is set to be further cut back after three research councils confirmed they have paused funding opportunities. @jgro-the.bsky.social reports #academicsky #researchfunding
https://ow.ly/lpvO50Y67ku
https://ow.ly/lpvO50Y67ku
Three UK research councils suspend funding opportunities
Temporary block on grant applications by MRC, BBSRC and EPSRC heightens concerns over funding cuts
ow.ly
January 30, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Or:
Scientists are furious that they are learning of pauses to their main access to funding through press snippets rather than first hand dialogue with Uni research offices………..
Scientists are furious that they are learning of pauses to their main access to funding through press snippets rather than first hand dialogue with Uni research offices………..
For anyone with current grants under review at #MRC, this is what's happening, according to Research Professional:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
We are facing a major
#UKsciencefundingcrisis but no outcry, no news. As we said in 2010, #ScienceIsVital, we need to do something!
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
We are facing a major
#UKsciencefundingcrisis but no outcry, no news. As we said in 2010, #ScienceIsVital, we need to do something!
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 PM
For anyone with current grants under review at #MRC, this is what's happening, according to Research Professional:
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
We are facing a major
#UKsciencefundingcrisis but no outcry, no news. As we said in 2010, #ScienceIsVital, we need to do something!
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
We are facing a major
#UKsciencefundingcrisis but no outcry, no news. As we said in 2010, #ScienceIsVital, we need to do something!
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
So much work still to do to break the glass ceiling!
Analysis of millions of biomed & life science articles reveal that female-authored articles spend longer under review than comparable male-authored ones
@plosbiology.org
🧪 plos.io/4658FZN
Analysis of millions of biomed & life science articles reveal that female-authored articles spend longer under review than comparable male-authored ones
@plosbiology.org
🧪 plos.io/4658FZN
Biomedical and life science articles by female researchers spend longer under review
Women are underrepresented in academia, especially in STEMM fields, at top institutions, and in senior positions. This study analyzes millions of biomedical and life science articles, revealing that f...
plos.io
January 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
So much work still to do to break the glass ceiling!
Analysis of millions of biomed & life science articles reveal that female-authored articles spend longer under review than comparable male-authored ones
@plosbiology.org
🧪 plos.io/4658FZN
Analysis of millions of biomed & life science articles reveal that female-authored articles spend longer under review than comparable male-authored ones
@plosbiology.org
🧪 plos.io/4658FZN
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
E. coli is the leading bacterium causing death from AMR infections worldwide. If you'd like to explore approaches to exploit the DNA damage response as alternative antimicrobial, please apply to the following PhD studentship available in my lab starting October 2026: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Exploiting the bacterial DNA damage response as an alternative antimicrobial at Newcastle University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Exploiting the bacterial DNA damage response as an alternative antimicrobial at Newcastle University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:36 PM
E. coli is the leading bacterium causing death from AMR infections worldwide. If you'd like to explore approaches to exploit the DNA damage response as alternative antimicrobial, please apply to the following PhD studentship available in my lab starting October 2026: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
PhD position available in our team to study how UPEC exploits metals to successfully colonise the host gut. Cool collaboration with @thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @banzhaflab.bsky.social Please share and get in touch for more details
Microbial metal-head: the integrated roles of metal homeostasis in host-pathogen interaction at Newcastle University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Microbial metal-head: the integrated roles of metal homeostasis in host-pathogen interaction at Newcastle University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:38 PM
PhD position available in our team to study how UPEC exploits metals to successfully colonise the host gut. Cool collaboration with @thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @banzhaflab.bsky.social Please share and get in touch for more details
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
www.findaphd.com/phds/project... interested in bacterial antagonism? PhD opportunity in our team, see below. Please repost!
Characterising antibacterial toxins in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes at Newcastle University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Characterising antibacterial toxins in the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes at Newcastle University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:33 AM
www.findaphd.com/phds/project... interested in bacterial antagonism? PhD opportunity in our team, see below. Please repost!
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
BBSSRC (NEEDL) funded PhD studentship in my lab co-supervised by
@thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social
If you're interested in structural biology and membrane transport processes, check out www.findaphd.com/phds/project... deadline 27th of Feb!
Get in touch for more info
@thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social
If you're interested in structural biology and membrane transport processes, check out www.findaphd.com/phds/project... deadline 27th of Feb!
Get in touch for more info
www.findaphd.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:34 PM
BBSSRC (NEEDL) funded PhD studentship in my lab co-supervised by
@thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social
If you're interested in structural biology and membrane transport processes, check out www.findaphd.com/phds/project... deadline 27th of Feb!
Get in touch for more info
@thecopperdoctor.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social
If you're interested in structural biology and membrane transport processes, check out www.findaphd.com/phds/project... deadline 27th of Feb!
Get in touch for more info
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Similarly depressing: "We also show that authors based in low-income countries tend to experience longer review times." #AcademicSky
January 21, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Similarly depressing: "We also show that authors based in low-income countries tend to experience longer review times." #AcademicSky
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Biomedical and life science articles by female researchers spend longer under review
Women are underrepresented in academia, especially in STEMM fields, at top institutions, and in senior positions. This study analyzes millions of biomedical and life science articles, revealing that f...
journals.plos.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
The deadline is approaching for abstract submission to the BCA 2026 Spring Meeting in Leeds, 30th March-1st April! Get your abstract in before 9am on Monday 19th January, we can't wait to hear about your science 🔬
tinyurl.com/BCASpring2026
tinyurl.com/BCASpring2026
BCA 2026
tinyurl.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:44 AM
The deadline is approaching for abstract submission to the BCA 2026 Spring Meeting in Leeds, 30th March-1st April! Get your abstract in before 9am on Monday 19th January, we can't wait to hear about your science 🔬
tinyurl.com/BCASpring2026
tinyurl.com/BCASpring2026
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
Fabian was quicker :) But yes, we have an open postdoc position in bacterial bioenergetics and membrane biology, using on B. subtilis as the model. Come join us! @cbcb-newcastle.bsky.social is a great place to work, and we are a friendly, international lab. Visa+IHS fees covered. #microsky
January 14, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Fabian was quicker :) But yes, we have an open postdoc position in bacterial bioenergetics and membrane biology, using on B. subtilis as the model. Come join us! @cbcb-newcastle.bsky.social is a great place to work, and we are a friendly, international lab. Visa+IHS fees covered. #microsky
Reposted by Prof Paula Salgado
So please STOP circulating this idea that it is now easier for women to succeed in science : this is not true and only encourages imposter syndrome (16/n)
January 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
So please STOP circulating this idea that it is now easier for women to succeed in science : this is not true and only encourages imposter syndrome (16/n)
Another grant submitted, really pleased with how it turned out. Hope reviewers and panel think so too!
a black and white photo of a dice with the words alea iacta est above it
ALT: a black and white photo of a dice with the words alea iacta est above it
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Another grant submitted, really pleased with how it turned out. Hope reviewers and panel think so too!