News
29 May 2026

SEB May 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to this month's newsletter!

 



Welcome to this month's newsletter. Here's what we have in store for you this month: 
 

Important security notice: Fraudulent emails impersonating the SEB;


Last chance to promote your work in our Spring 2026 Magazine;
 

Just two weeks left to register for the #SEBconference;
 

Epic Play Quest comes to the SEB’s Annual Conference crèche;
 

Awards nominations are open for SEB Annual Conference 2027;
 

OED Gen-AI Symposium videos now available On Demand;
 

New Community Conversations videos now available On-Demand;
 

Register for the "SEB Plant Environment Physiology Group Early Career Workshop"
 

Join the upcoming Standing up for Science workshop on Friday 26 June at the Institute of Physics in London;
 

Share your experience of large teaching labs;
 

UK parliament opens applications for thematic research leads;


Register now for the International SPS Symposium 2026;


The Company of Biologists renews Read & Publish agreement with EIFL for a further three years;
 

Our Commitment to a safe, inclusive environment;
 

Contribute to the Ask a Scientist project;
 

Download the ‘Scientists with Impact’ article collection;




Happy reading!  

 
 
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SEB NEWS
 

  • Just two weeks left to register for the #SEBconference;
     

  • Epic Play Quest comes to the SEB’s Annual Conference crèche;
     

  • Awards nominations are open for SEB Annual Conference 2027;
     

  • OED Gen-AI Symposium videos now available On Demand;
     

  • New Community Conversations videos now available On-Demand;
     

  • Register for the "SEB Plant Environment Physiology Group Early Career Workshop"
     

  • Join the upcoming Standing up for Science workshop on Friday 26 June at the Institute of Physics in London;
     

  • Share your experience of large teaching labs;
     

  • UK parliament opens applications for thematic research leads;
     

  • Register now for the International SPS Symposium 2026;
     

  • The Company of Biologists renews Read & Publish agreement with EIFL for a further three years;
     

  • Contribute to the Ask a Scientist project;
     

  • Download the ‘Scientists with Impact’ article collection;

EVENTS
 

  • SEB Annual Conference (7 - 8 July 2026)
     
  • SEB Plant Environment Physiology Group Early Career Workshop (24 July 2026)
     
  • Other Meetings

 

CAREERS

  • Careers and Coffee
     
  • Leaders of the Future
     
  • Events videos are available on demand
     
  • Professional Development Resources available for SEB members!
     
  • Developing Excellent Research Proposals
     
  • Quick start guide to connecting with industry
     
  • Getting started with interdisciplinary collaborations
     
  • Public Engagement 101
     
  • Free "Standing up for Science" - media workshop 
     
  • Dealing with the media - Free media training and advice for SEB members

 


JOBS BOARD
 

 

JOURNAL NEWS 
 

  • Conservation Physiology: Tips and tricks for addressing and responding to peer reviews 

 

  • Journal of Experimental Botany: Editor’s Choice paper for JXB Volume 77, Issue 10:
    WOX5 expression stimulated by the transcription factor NF-YAc reprograms cortical cells for nodule primordium initiation in soybean 

 

  • Plant Biotechnology Journal: Volume 24, Issue 5

 

  • Plant Direct: Exogenous Hormone Treatments Reveal Species-Specific Regulation of Individual Components of Root Architecture and Salt Ion Accumulation in Cultivated and Wild Tomatoes

 

  • The Plant Journal: May 2026 TPJ Editor choice: From orphan to global player: what 10,617 cowpea accessions reveal about geographic structure by Martin Balcerowicz 

     


GRANTS AND FUNDING
 

  • Company of Biologists Grant 
     
  • Sponsorship for a Small Conference 
     
  • SEB Diversity Grant
     
  • SEB Outreach Grant
     
  • Hardship fund
     
  • Funding for Satellite Meetings
     

 

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CONTRIBUTE TO THE ASK A SCIENTIST PROJECT

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This project was developed and delivered in two public engagement events we hosted this year, where the attendees could ask questions for scientists. We posted the questions on our website and need scientists to answer them!

The attendees have the webpage address, so they can go there and check the answers to their questions. Please look at these thought-provoking questions and reply to the ones you feel comfortable with through the form.

For more information and to access the form, visit:

More information

 


  

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Dive into the past of the SEB by discovering the SEB History Articles Series

 

More information

 

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(7 - 9 July 2026 - Florence, Italy) 
 

More information

 
Take a look at the sessions taking place at our annual Conference here: 

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All the sessions are available by clicking the button below:
 

More information

 

 MEET OUR PRESIDENT MEDALLISTS 

The SEB President's Medals are awarded annually to young scientists of outstanding merit. The awards are presented at the Annual Conference of the Society.


 

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David Labonte
Imperial College London
Animal section

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Poonam Mehra
University of Nottingham
Cell section

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Lorna McAusland
Nottingham University
Plant section

 

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Dave Lawson
University of Bristol
Outreach, Education and Diversity section
 

More information

 

PLENARY LECTURERS

Each year at the Annual Conference of the SEB, the work of George Parker Bidder III and Harold Woolhouse is honoured with plenary lectures alongside the Cell Biology and the OED plenary lecture.

 

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Ari Sadanandom
University of Durham
Cell Winner

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Julian Hibberd
University of Cambridge
Woolhouse Winner

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Kiisa Nishikawa
Northern Arizona University
Bidder Winner

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Claire Garden
Edinburgh Napier University
Outreach, Education and Diversity winner
 

More information

 


OTHER MEETINGS


Take a look at the event picture gallery which is available now on our   Facebook page

 

Aseptic Techniques (10 June 2026)

Cell Culture: The Basics (10 June 2026)

Standing up for Science workshop – Institute of Physics (26 June 2026)

Summer School 2026: Plant single cell RNAseq workshop: From current technologies to data analyses (28 June - 3  July 2026)

 

 

SEB meetings diary

 

 
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The Company of Biologists Travel Grant  

🗓️  Application deadline: 31 May

The Company of Biologists Travel Grant 2026 is available for student and early career scientist SEB members.
It supports their participation at conferences, workshops, and even training courses. The COB Travel Grant was recently reviewed, giving more support to applicants depending on their travel distance.

From 1 July, the grant limits are as follows:

  • £300 travel within own country
  • £600 travel within own continent
  • £800 travel beyond own continent
     

You can find out more about eligibility and apply via

More information

 

 

Sponsorship for a Small Conference

🗓️   Application deadline: 1 November 2026

SEB members can apply for up to £1000 to help with the cost of organising a scientific meeting independently or in collaboration with another organisation.

 

More information


 

Diversity Grant

🗓️   Application deadline: 31 December 2026

SEB members can apply for funding of up to £1000 for projects associated with improving diversity and increasing inclusivity in academia and bioscience research.

More information

 

 

Outreach Grant

🗓️   Application deadline: 1 June 2026

A maximum of £1000 is available to SEB members and £200 non-members to cover the costs associated with holding or participating in an outreach event that promotes experimental biology to a wide range of audiences.

More information


 

 

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Over the past few months we held a number of training webinars. If you did not get a chance to attend these you can access on demand recordings and resources on the SEB members' area. Simply log into your SEB account, go to the resources area and select the "Careers" tab to view these. 

The following content is available for you to access: 

EVENTS VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ON  DEMAND
Recordings of our events are available in our Ressources section.

JXB Webinar series videos

Plant Journal Webinar series videos

Plant Biotechnology Journal Webinar series videos

Conservation Physiology Webinar series videos 

Careers and Coffee videos 


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE!
Videos and PDFs are available

The SEB is excited to release our new on-demand professional development resources to support our members at every stage of their career. This includes a video and PDF covering time management skills, and a five part mini-series exploring evaluation of impact for projects such as public engagement events and activities

DEVELOPING EXCELLENT RESEARCH PROPOSALS
Presentation Slides are available

In this this workshop, we examined the key elements involved in turning your initial research idea into a proposal that will get the attention and support of the reviewers, demonstrate the importance of the research and assure funders that your project will make a valuable contribution to your field
 

QUICK START GUIDE TO CONNECTING WITH INDUSTRY
Webinar recording now available 

This webinar takes a brief look at how researchers can identify their individual skills and expertise to support engagement as well as to how to clearly articulate their research in a way that generates interest from potential industry collaborators. 
 

GETTING STARTED WITH INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS
Presentation Slides and Chatbox transcript now available 

A multidisciplinary approach requires a combination of skills including a willingness to listen and learn about other disciplines, to see patterns and make connections, to have a wide ranging network, to ask insightful questions, facilitate others to take part, problem solve in a solution focused way and to be open and creative. 

In this interactive 90 minute online workshop looked at how to be open to opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration and the key skills required to identify and approach potential collaborators. 

DEALING WITH THE MEDIA -FREE MEDIA TRAINING AND ADVICE FOR SEB MEMBERS

Have you been approached by the media for an interview or to comment on your research and not sure what to expect or how to approach it?
 
Getting your research covered in the media is a very exciting moment but can also feel scary if you do not have experience and are not sure what to expect. SEB members can benefit from free advice and training on their first media appearance through our partnership with Sense about Science. If you would like to learn more get in touch with [email protected].
 
In the meantime, check out these “Standing up for Science” Guides on interacting with the media:

 

 

JOBS BOARD


Below are the latest vacancies available:

 

Officer (m/f/d) in the Life Sciences Unit of the Selection Department (part-time)
 Bonn, Germany

Part-time position at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Bonn, focusing on evaluation and coordination in molecular and cell biology.

Deadline for applications: 1 June 2026

 

Apply now

 

Tenure-Track: Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University (TAMU)

 College Station, Texas

The Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track assistant professor positions with 9-month academic

Deadline for applications: 22 June 2026

 

Apply now

 

Faculty position at Department of Biological Sciences at National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan
 Kaohsiung , Taïwan

The Department of Biological Sciences at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level or above in Biology or a related field. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome.

Deadline for applications: 31 July  2026

 

Apply now

 


Click here to visit the SEB jobs board page
 


 

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THE LATEST FROM THE SEB JOURNALS

Conservation Physiology
Tips and tricks for addressing and responding to peer reviews

Read now


 


Journal of Experimental Botany
Editor Choice: JXB Editor’s Choice paper for JXB Volume 77, Issue 10:
WOX5 expression stimulated by the transcription factor NF-YAc reprograms cortical cells for nodule primordium initiation in soybean 

Read now

 


Plant Biotechnology Journal
Volume 24, Issue 5

Read now


 


Plant Direct
Exogenous Hormone Treatments Reveal Species-Specific Regulation of Individual Components of Root Architecture and Salt Ion Accumulation in Cultivated and Wild Tomatoes

Read now


 


The Plant Journal 
May 2026 TPJ Editor choice: From orphan to global player: what 10,617 cowpea accessions reveal about geographic structure by Martin Balcerowicz

Read now

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