Bets are on for who will succeed Sir John Cadogan as head of the UK research councils. An advert in a Sunday paper seems to dispel any thoughts that the post may be done away with as previously rumoured. Instead, there are plenty of suggestions about who may be gunning for the job. Among those thought to be interested are John Krebs, chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council and Gareth Roberts, vice-chancellor of Sheffield University and the previous chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals.