About BioSS
Our Vision is:
"to improve science & society through an understanding of variation, uncertainty and risk"
Our Mission is:
"to develop and apply quantitative methodologies with a rigorous mathematical and statistical basis"
View our Corporate Plan 2007-2011 (in pdf).
BioSS has an international reputation in the field of mathematics and statistics applied to the biological sciences. A summary of the organisation and activities of BioSS is as follows.
Ethos
BioSS provides a stimulating and supportive working environment for the development and application of modern quantitative methods with a rigorous mathematical and statistical basis to address important scientific problems.
Management
Formally, BioSS has always been considered too small to be self-governing and forms part of SCRI Group. The BioSS Director reports to the Chief Executive of SCRI, and responsibility for BioSS ultimately resides with the SCRI Governing Body. Scientifically, BioSS is promoted as an independent organisation managed by a Director, a Head of Research and a Head of Scientific Applications. These are joined on the BioSS Management Group by two further Research Leaders, three Principal Consultants, an External Development Manager, IT Manager and Administrative Officer to determine, implement and communicate strategic decisions. A number of working groups focus on specific issues to shape working practices within BioSS.
Distributed Staffing
BioSS employs over 30 staff in five locations to reflect the geographical distribution of the institutes we collaborate most closely with , and has its headquarters at the Kings Buildings, Edinburgh which is the science campus of the University of Edinburgh. This ensures BioSS staff work closely alongside scientists whilst maintaining a distinct profile.
Accreditations
BioSS has accreditations for ISO 9001:2000 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and OHSAS 18001 (health and safety).
We hold Investors in People status and the Healthy Working Lives Bronze Award.
Consultancy advice and collaboration
BioSS consultancy provides a broad input to the research programmes of the five organisations which act as Main Research Providers for Scottish Government's programme of rural and environmental research:
- Scottish Crop Research Institute
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
- Moredun Research Institute
- Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
- Scottish Agricultural College
and, under long-standing service level agreements, to two further organisations:
Consultancy contributions range from short pieces of advice on specific enquiries through to long-term collaborations in particular projects.
Research
BioSS research is managed under three broad themes, each receiving substantial funding from the Scottish Government augmented by competitive grants and contracts: -
- statistical bioinformatics;
- process & systems modelling;
- statistical methodology.
Knowledge Exchange
BioSS staff undertake a wide range of KE activities for many different end-user groups. These include: -
- training courses for scientists;
- supervision of PhD students;
- encapsulation of algorithms in software products.
Additional collaborations and links
BioSS has an expanding portfolio of additional collaborators and clients, including universities, scientific research organisations, government agencies and the private sector. These provide stimulation and income additional to those emanating from the Scottish Government and its associated institutes.
Also, BioSS contributes actively to inter-organisational groupings in Edinburgh Edinburgh Consortium for Rural Research and in Aberdeen Aberdeen Research Consortium