The 2014 Recent Appointees in Materials Science Conference (RAMS 2014) is the only national conference specifically aimed at new academic appointees (lecturers, research fellows, and postdocs) in materials science. The RAMS 2014 conference will incorporate symposia covering a broad range of subjects in Materials Science (from inorganic materials and functional nanomaterials to biological, soft matter and electronic materials), to help recent appointees to build their national collaborative networks, exchange experiences and benefit from peer support. The conference will incorporate plenary lectures from leading UK materials scientists as well as sessions on essential training and development and information on funding opportunities through the RAMS network, targeted to help academics at the start of their careers.