Connect NMR UK: A National NMR Network for the Physical and Life Sciences

NMR spectroscopy is arguably the most widely employed tool in materials, chemical and biomolecular research sciences for the study of atomic structure and behaviour. It has a uniquely powerful ability to probe the chemical structure at atomic level, combined with sensitivity to their motions and changes in chemical environment.

The importance of NMR spectroscopy has been recognised by the UKRI's recent and largest-ever investment of £20 M in NMR spectroscopy in a UK-wide network of NMR spectroscopy facilities in 2018 which was matched by substantial provision of ongoing support through expert personnel and specialist infrastructure by the host institutions. Together these and previous significant capital investments made by UK research intensive universities, research councils and medical charities position the UK at the forefront of NMR technologies and will enable a very wide range of scientific investigations with a depth that was previously impossible.

To ensure that we maximise the value of this capital investment, this proposal aims to establish a national NMR network in the physical and life sciences, Connect NMR UK, integrating the three main existing interdisciplinary communities (UK solid-state NMR; liquid-state, biological NMR; UK NMR managers group) and two learned societies (Royal Society of Chemistry NMR Discussion Group; Institute of Physics Magnetic Resonance Group) and connecting all of these NMR facilities through a central web portal, annual discussion forum, workshops and training scholarships. This will ensure we link the NMR solutions provided by the latest instrumentation and personnel, centred around the very- and ultra-high field NMR facilities, with the challenges being tackled by the UK's leading scientists. Providing these scientists with access to the cutting edge capabilities, sharing knowledge from the experts in these NMR facilities with the wider UK scientific community and exchanging best practice between the experts will ensure maximum value is obtained from the UKRI research council investment.

Impact is the central goal of Connect NMR UK. It aims to maximise output arising from large capital investment in NMR spectroscopy by ensuring that the cutting edge technology provided by this investment is leveraged by the largest number of UK scientists to enable the broadest range of UK science. It will ensure that the high quality, internationally-leading hardware and expertise can provide that highest quality of NMR data and research support to the broadest range of UK science.

Specifically, Connect NMR UK will provide this Impact through:
(1) The creation of a shared web portal through which very- and ultra-high field NMR infrastructures available to the community have national visibility thereby maximising the impact of capital investments. The portal will be managed by the Network Manager who will ensure that it provides outward-facing information to potential users. This includes information on capability and expertise at each NMR facility, triaging and advice to identify optimal facilities for particular user needs, and mechanisms and assistance to contact appropriate facility staff to enable access. The Manager will also ensure that the portal is kept up-to-date with the latest Network activities, resources and outputs - providing a shop-front for the Network and its performance;

(2) The establishment of a forum for the sharing of expertise and experience throughout the UK NMR community. Annual meetings will ensure face-to-face exchange of knowledge between the NMR facilities and their users - providing clear and positive channels for discussion of future developments and projects. These will provide an opportunity for new NMR users to engage directly with the world-leading NMR experts who work within the facilities, especially beyond the bounds of their current NMR experience;

(3) Training: this will benefit NMR-focussed researchers across the UK, allowing them to expand their NMR skills and experience. This will especially provide benefit to early career researchers (PhD students, postdoctoral fellows) as well as industrial scientists, where they are limited by the techniques, hardware and tools that are beyond the capabilities of their local facilities;

(4) An improvement in the way UK NMR research facilities work together to promote best practice. At the moment there are a number of networks focussed on particular NMR or scientific problems. By bringing together membership from across these networks, Connect NMR UK will provide an umbrella opportunity for these communities to engage centred around capabilities and methods rather than scientific challenges. In particular, the uniquely powerful capabilities provided by very- and ultra-high field NMR systems will provide a strong driver to bring together existing and new collaborations between these groupings;

(5) The creation of a cohesive group of NMR scientists who can better champion the case for support of NMR on the national and international scenes. The exchange of knowledge and best practice amongst the scientists in the very- and ultra-high field NMR facilities, combined with enhanced scientific outputs (and capturing of this) will establish clear precedents to ensure that NMR is recognised as a key enabling technology and thus inform future opportunities to develop and exploit the method.