Biomedical research officer jobs
The Community Engagement Officer will play a pivotal role in delivering Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Community Champions (DCC) programme. Launched in 2022, the programme empowers volunteers to share dementia information within communities that are under-served in terms of access to health information and research, and at higher risk of being affected by dementia. The programme has to date focused on South Asian communities in Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby. In 2026, it will expand to include Black African and Black Caribbean communities in East London. As the programme continues to grow, the Officer will have significant scope to support, shape, and develop this important area of work.
Dementia Community Champions are volunteers trained by Alzheimer’s Research UK to deliver events in their communities to increase knowledge and understanding of dementia, brain health and dementia risk factors. They also emphasise the importance of taking part in research in their local communities.
They do this by:
- attending and completing training in dementia, risk factors, and dementia research run by the core ARUK team.
- holding events within their communities to share dementia information.
- sharing leaflets and other resources.
- speaking to local people about their experience of dementia and signposting them to appropriate information and opportunities.
This role will be known internally as Dementia Community Champion – FTC*
Key Responsibilities:
Day to day support of volunteers
· Assist in the recruitment and management of new DCC volunteers, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and volunteer journey.
· Act as a point of contact for DCC volunteers, providing guidance, support, and timely responses to their enquiries.
· Empower volunteers by helping them build skills and confidence to talk about dementia and dementia research, and to engage effectively with their audiences.
· Plan, facilitate, and deliver monthly online meetings. This includes coordinating with volunteers, arranging logistics, addressing queries, and liaising with internal stakeholders.
Comprehensive admin support
· Provide comprehensive administrative support for the programme, including assisting volunteers in organising and evaluating their events.
· Collect key metrics from the programme to monitor progress and evaluate activities.
· Maintain relevant files and documents, ensuring accurate recording of data and adherence to GDPR.
· Ensure activities comply with ARUK’s branding and style guide.
Support the delivery of Dementia Community Champions in underserved communities.
· Assist in the development and delivery of DCC training and ongoing support to volunteers to hold their own events.
· Act as a champion for DCC across Alzheimer's Research UK, effectively communicating the importance, successes and challenges of the programme. Share insights and support colleagues across ARUK in their efforts to reach underserved communities.
· Collaborate with the DCC Manager to produce ongoing evaluation of the programme. Proactively suggest new initiatives and continuous improvements.
What we are looking for:
· Science graduate or equivalent level of education (biomedical or biological subject) or relevant work experience
· Experience of discussing health or research with the public.
· Experience of communicating complex health information in a simple and accessible way.
· Awareness of current topics in dementia and dementia research
· Demonstrated experience in providing comprehensive administrative support for programmes or initiatives.
· Experience of working with and supporting volunteers.
· Project and events coordination experience.
· Effective written and spoken communication skills.
· A confident, friendly, and professional attitude; would feel at ease representing the charity to a range of audiences.
· Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and occasionally to work outside of regular office hours when needed.
· Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise responsibilities, and meet deadlines effectively, especially in a fast-paced environment.
· The willingness to learn and understand about dementia and dementia research and be able to use learning to effectively train others on topics of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
· Willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues across different departments, as well as external stakeholders and volunteers, to achieve common goals.
· Openness to adapting to changing circumstances and priorities, as well as flexibility in approach when working with diverse communities and volunteers.
· Ability to understand and empathise with individuals affected by dementia, as well as volunteers who may have personal connections to the cause.
· Dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the programme and ensuring that all volunteers feel valued and respected regardless of their background.
Additional Information:
Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.
Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.
Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.
Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum, plus benefits.
Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.
The closing date for applications is the 25th January 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.
As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.
How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.
About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Hybrid working - Part London office-based and part home working. The post holder will work a minimum of one day a week in the office.
Salary: £31,800 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Closing date: Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 10.00am
Interview date: Thursday 22 January 2026
This is a permanent role.
Who we are looking for
Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Research and Involvement Officer to help us build on this momentum.
As a Research and Involvement Officer you will provide administrative support to the Head of Research Operations in managing our UK research portfolio, Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge funding and other UK-based funding programmes. This includes providing vital support in the pre- and post-award processes, working closely with research teams, internal colleagues and external stakeholders, as well as ensuring that information about Breakthrough T1D funding opportunities is communicated clearly through our website.
You will also play a key role in delivering our Patient and Public Involvement activities, including ensuring that opportunities to engage people who live with T1D in research are communicated clearly to people affected by T1D and the research community alike.
Experience required
You’ll have previous experience of:
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Supporting project management processes
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Use of project management software such grant management platforms or equivalent
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Providing support to committees/panels
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Awareness of Patient and Public Involvement and Participation
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Biomedical Sciences and research (Undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences or equivalent)
About Breakthrough T1D
Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia.
You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1.
Employee benefits
As an employer we offer:
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Hybrid working arrangements
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Flexible working and will consider compressed hours
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Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service
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Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment
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Season ticket and cycle loan
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Pension scheme
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Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates
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Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development
Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age.
At Breakthrough T1D we do understand that AI (Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for candidates to assist in applying for our roles. We ask that applicants do ensure their authentic voice is present, and we look forward to seeing examples of your specific experience.
Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to treat, prevent, and, ultimately, cure T1D and its complications
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Research is at the heart of our charitable objectives at Sarcoma UK. The charity provides funding for research to understand sarcoma better, improve treatments and ultimately, make a difference to the lives of people affected by sarcoma. Since 2009, we’ve funded more than 100 projects, representing an investment of more than £10 million.
The Research Officer role enjoys a varied workload and brings the opportunity to work with autonomy and develop new skills within a friendly and dynamic team. You will work on a broad range of projects, including being involved with our grant management processes, working closely with the Research Manager and Director of Research, Policy and Support. The post-holder will also work closely with other departments across the charity, including producing engaging research communications content for print, online and social media, and will also have the opportunity to interact with senior researchers, clinicians and people affected by sarcoma.
This is an ideal role for someone with a scientific background and an active interest in research management, and it offers the opportunity to make a real impact for people affected by sarcoma and their families.
At Sarcoma UK, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Benefits
- Flexible working options including hybrid working
- Pension with 5% employer contribution
- 25 days holiday entitlement per annum plus bank holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year
- Additional day off for your birthday
- Health and wellbeing:
- Health Cash Plan
- Therapy sessions
- Wellbeing Group
Our Values
- Pioneering we are leading the way to a better future for the sarcoma community.
- Together we are creating a community to make a difference for all those affected by sarcoma.
- Expert we use our expertise in understanding sarcoma to deliver better outcomes.
Duties and Key Responsibilites
Sarcoma UK’s research programme
- To support Sarcoma UK’s grant application processes under guidance from the Research Manager. This will include calls for proposals, identifying expert peer reviewers, administering a high-quality peer and lay review process, communication with applicants and potential applicants, administration of grant awards and supporting patient involvement.
- To provide support to the Grant Review Panel and Research Strategy Committee, including organising meetings and preparing minutes.
- To manage Sarcoma UK’s portfolio of active research grants, under guidance from the Research Manager. This will include use of grant management software for administration of newly awarded grants, monitoring progress of current grants, oversight of grant finances and reporting on final outputs.
- To support opportunities for patient involvement within the research programme, including managing a network of lay reviewers and facilitating new opportunities, with support from the Involvement and Volunteering Coordinator.
- To support new developments in Sarcoma UK’s research programme, including organising and attending events, collaborative funding calls and initiatives to support early career researchers.
Research Impact and Communications
- To monitor and gather outputs and long-term impact of research grants funded by Sarcoma UK and support in ensuring these are shared with internal and external audiences.
- To plan and produce engaging and reactive and proactive communications about sarcoma research, including website, social media, written and video content, working with the Research Manager and Communications Team to ensure our research activities and outcomes are shared with the sarcoma community and wider public.
- To proactively engage with grant holders to gather impactful insights and to support engaging communication about sarcoma research.
- To regularly review and update Sarcoma UK’s website with progress updates on research grants and promote funding opportunities.
- To support work undertaken by the Fundraising Team where required, such as lab tours and supplying information about funded grants for donor reports.
External relationships
- To be a point of contact for Sarcoma UK grant holders and their host institutions.
- To maintain positive relationships with Sarcoma UK’s research panels, potential grant applications, researchers and clinicians, and the wider sarcoma research community.
- To work directly with a range of people personally affected by sarcoma to place the voice of lived experience at the heart of our research programme.
General
- To support the integration of the research programme across Sarcoma UK.
- Attend Sarcoma UK events and contribute to the wider work of Sarcoma UK.
- Travel occasionally to meetings and events. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required (time off in lieu will be given).
- Work flexibly and collaboratively in a dynamic environment, undertaking other duties as required to support the wider operations of Sarcoma UK.
Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research and offers information and support to anyone affected by sarcoma.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Salary - £41,445 - £48,352
Hours - Full-time
Benefits - Excellent package including 27 days annual leave + bank holidays
We believe that people’s sight matters and wish to strengthen our committed and passionate team by appointing a grants officer to our grants and research team.
We are the main grant-making and fundraising charity for Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Moorfields) and its academic partner UCL (in particular the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology), two world-leading institutions. The majority of our support funds innovation and research into eye health, and we have an emphasis on building capacity and developing the careers of researchers and clinicians.
We have ambitious plans. We have put into action a five-year business plan that is supporting our growth from raising and funding around £6 million annually to becoming a £10 million a year charity.
This is an exciting opportunity for a grants officer to bring enthusiasm and experience to our dedicated team, following robust and effective processes to select and award the most impactful projects and programmes, and collaborating with a number of varied stakeholders.
About the role
You will be joining a friendly and supportive grants and research team who are committed to ensuring the charity has robust grant making mechanisms to determine best use of charitable funding together with monitoring and evaluating projects and programmes.
You will be the primary point of contact for applicants and other stakeholders throughout the grant management process, ensuring they are supported and managed in a professional and timely manner. This would include communicating feedback to applicants on funding proposals following decision making. You will support development of content that advertises funding opportunities and showcases the impact of the charity's funding.
Our close proximity, and working relationships, with Moorfields and its academic partner UCL (in particular the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology) are very important to this role. A successful candidate will enjoy working with academics, clinicians and other hospital staff, supporting their engagement with, and applications to, our funding programmes.
About you
You will have ambition to develop or expand your career in grants management within a growing grant-making charity. You will have a qualification in a biomedical sciences/health subject.
- You will also have research experience in an academic or clinical setting and an understanding of research funding processes in a grant-making charity.
- You will be an excellent communicator, able to build confident working relationships at all levels. An ability to network and liaise with scientific, clinical and research communities will be key to your success in this role.
To apply
Your application should include your CV and your cover letter response (up to 500 words in total) to the following questions:
› What attracts you to this role and Moorfields Eye Charity?
› How your experience applies to this role?
If you think you could do the role, but don’t have all the desirable experience, we would still welcome an application from you.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 January 2026.
Interviews are expected to be between 2 and 13 February 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
What you will be achieving
The Grants Officer will be a member of the Biomedical Grants and Policy Department. You will work with a Grants Manager to administer a portion of the Academy’s portfolio of grants schemes and activities. You will act as a key point of contact for external liaison relating to the schemes. Working with the other Grants Officers and the rest of the Team, you will also help to develop and deliver events for Academy grant holders, as well as contribute to the Academy’s wider portfolio of work, and the delivery of our strategy.
The Grant Officer will be line managed by a Grants Manager.
What you will be doing
Administering a portion of the Academy’s portfolio of grant schemes:
- Processing applications, determining eligibility and coordinating peer review of eligible applications
- Convening and supporting the awarding panel, including preparation of committee papers, reports and financial information, as well as preparing feedback to applicants
- Managing the new grants once awarded, along with the Academy’s existing portfolio of grants
- Supporting the monitoring of awards and evaluation of grants schemes
- Analysing data and preparing papers, presentations and reports to demonstrate the impact of our schemes for internal and external use
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date data on grants
- Researching and reporting on initiatives being undertaken by other UK funders
Liaising with stakeholders:
- Working with the Academy’s Fellowship, in their roles as peer reviewers, selection panel members and Chairs, honorary Officers and members of Council
- Acting as a key external point of contact for the Academy’s grants schemes, such as by providing advice to applicants, awardees, and host organisations
- Developing and maintaining working relationships with scheme funders
- Working with other Academy staff, particularly the rest of the Careers department and supporting the other Grants Officers in the delivery of their schemes, as required
Supporting the development and delivery of events for Academy grant holders, for example induction and scientific meetings for grant holders
Contributing to the Academy’s wider portfolio of work, including drafting and providing data for papers for the Academy’s governing committees
Acting as line-manager or project manager for one of the Academy’s interns, on a rotation basis and when the opportunity arises
Performing any other duties that might be reasonably expected, and which are commensurate with this level of post
What you’ll bring to the role
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- A confident and friendly team player/collaborator (within and across teams)
- Interest in biomedical and health research
- High levels of numeracy with strong analytical skills
- Good IT skills, e.g. Microsoft suite and online databases
- Excellent organisational skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple tasks/deadline with precision
- Previous relevant experience (desirable, but not essential)
- The ability to travel from time to time either in the UK or abroad, with occasional overnight stays
Benefits
- Salary progression framework
- Hybrid and agile working
- 29 days annual leave including Christmas closure dates, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Regular organisation-wide Wellbeing Days
- Pension (the Academy offers a flexible contribution structure with a minimum employer contribution of 8% up to a maximum of 13% of gross salary, with an employee contribution ranging from 3% to 8%)
- Life assurance
- Vitality Private Medical Insurance, on completion of probation
- SimplyHealth Cash Plans, on completion of probation
- Season ticket travel loan (interest free), on completion of probation
- Cycle to work scheme, available on completion of probation
- Family friendly benefits – enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying period), coaching for parents returning to work
- Subscription to Headspace and Class Pass
- Staff training to support your development including EDI training
For more information and to apply online, please visit our careers page.
Closing date: 17:00 on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026 (online).

