Breakthrough project officer jobs

We’re looking for a Research Funding Officer to join our team

Salary: £34,754

Base: Central Edinburgh/hybrid

Hours: Full time and permanent.  35 hours a week over core working hours of 10am – 3pm, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break. The office is open 8am – 7pm daily and our hybrid working policy requires all full-time employees to work at least two days a week in the Edinburgh office. 

Benefits: 10% employer pension contribution; private medical insurance; employee assistance programme and counselling service; enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay; enhanced sick pay; 31 days’ paid holiday/year plus four paid winter public holidays; 2-weeks fully remote working/year; three paid carer days/year; death in service benefit; cycle to work and travel season ticket schemes.

To support the Team’s work-life balance, we work a nine-day fortnight where the charity is closed every second Friday.  

About the role and what we’re looking for

What will you be doing?

· Supporting applicants from all over the world to bring us their new ideas in cancer research by providing guidance in a timely manner. You’ll receive and process discovery cancer research funding applications, ensuring validity and completeness.  

· Leading on the expert peer review process. You’ll identify appropriate expert reviewers to ensure that the charity receives high quality, independent review advice to inform funding decisions.

· Managing funded grants. You’ll build relationships with grantholders and process change requests to best serve the science of our funded awards.

· Working with partner organisations.  You’ll collaborate with our research partners to manage co-funded projects as well as providing funding information for internal and external purposes. 

· Demonstrating our values. As a Curestarter, you’ll demonstrate our values every day - curious, united, real, entrepreneurial and spirited – as you help bring about our vision that no life is cut short by cancer.

What are we looking for?

· With a higher degree in a biomedical related field, you have excellent scientific understanding of molecular and cell biology as well as a broad knowledge of cancer research.

· You have a good understanding of research funding processes, particularly peer review and conflicts of interest.

· You’re a collaborative person who works respectfully in a diverse team of experts to deliver work that makes an impact.

· As a detailed planner and organiser, you thrive on deadlines and feel confident prioritising your time across multiple, concurrent projects.

Who are we? 

At Worldwide Cancer Research, we start new cures. Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but cutting-edge science can give us hope. Discovery research seeks to uncover new knowledge that could change the way we think about cancer. It reveals new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer that can save lives.

We actively seek unconventional and imaginative ideas from scientists at all stages of their career, across the globe. In some cases, we are the only organisation that will fund a scientist’s idea. We take an unbiased approach to research funding by focusing on supporting only the best ideas for new cures. By having a diverse research portfolio, we increase our chances of finding breakthroughs.

Our vision is of a day when no life is cut short by cancer, and we believe we can achieve this by starting the life-saving advances of the future by sowing the seeds of discoveries. Anyone that helps bring forward breakthroughs – including our staff, our supporters, and the researchers we fund – is a Curestarter.

As a charity, we are committed to opportunity without barriers, and we are striving to seek, value and learn from different perspectives and experiences. We want Worldwide Cancer Research to be an inclusive organisation – where everyone can be themselves and feel valued – as diverse as the scientific community we fund and the families whose lives we impact.

We are committed to ensuring that we provide equal opportunities to every applicant regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We aim to ensure that our recruitment process is unbiased and that everyone is treated equitably because our team members are at the heart of everything we do to start new cancer cures around the world.

To help start new cancer cures and save lives, we are looking for a Research Funding Officer to join the busy Research team at Worldwide Cancer Research, to help the charity run its multi-million-pound funding programme for discovery cancer research.

A permanent position has arisen in our friendly and fast-moving Public Affairs and Campaigns team. The role will support Alzheimer’s Research UK to seize opportunities for improving the political environment for dementia research, treatment and prevention and increase our impact with government and in parliament.

The role will work closely with colleagues in policy and campaigns to develop opportunities for influencing decision-makers and make breakthroughs possible by promoting our key policy asks. You will engage with stakeholders across parliament, government and the wider sector to support the growth of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s influence and ultimately address the harm and heartbreak caused by dementia.

This is a creative directorate, and our Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns teams are focused on developing solutions to critical and complex issues. You will have opportunities to work on projects and initiatives that take the charity in exciting new directions. The role is likely to include regular work in Westminster, Whitehall and elsewhere in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

 Public Affairs:

· Develop and deliver influencing plans to secure our key policy asks on dementia research, treatment and prevention.

· Work with colleagues to develop and deliver proactive and reactive parliamentary activity to grow ARUK’s network of engaged, informed and supportive political stakeholders.

· Work across the policy and public affairs team to assist in developing tailored briefings and materials to further ARUK’s policy and public affairs ambitions.

· Keep abreast of the dementia research and political environments and use political intelligence and insight to help inform the team’s work and direction.

· Provide analysis and insight on relevant legislation and policy guidance to help further and inform ARUK’s policy and public affairs work.

· Prepare parliamentary briefings, develop submissions for parliamentary questions and other opportunities presented through the parliamentary system.

· Lead on gathering information to measure our public affairs impact and report regularly, including across the organisation and up to Directors.

Campaigns and awareness raising

· Work with the policy, public affairs, campaigns, research and communications teams to help deliver public affairs campaigns and campaign messaging focused on ARUK policy objectives and help shape these messages for a political audience.

· Work with the communications and digital teams to help develop digital public affairs opportunities.

Event and meeting management

· Planning and coordinating parliamentary events focused around ARUK key policy and public affairs objectives.

· Represent ARUK at parliamentary and other events and conferences, including national party conferences.

· Co-ordinate and attend meetings with parliamentarians and stakeholders alongside senior staff and to provide briefings for staff and take follow-up actions.

· Liaise with colleagues, scientists, supporters and stakeholders at all levels.

What we are looking for:

· Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience

· Experience of working with parliamentarians

· Knowledge of the UK political system and an interest in politics, public affairs and campaigning

· Experience of building positive relationships with decision-makers, influencers or supporters

· Excellent personal communication skills with the ability to communicate persuasively with people at all levels

· Ability to write professionally and adapt communications for different audiences

· Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

· Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload

· IT literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

· Professional and hard-working team player

· Ability to use own initiative with a proactive and problem-solving attitude

Willingness to work outside of regular office hours and overtime during busy spells

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

Agile - 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 30th November 2025, 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.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Finance.

Pancreatic Cancer UK goes above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease. Right now, half of the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months. Families are left with only hope to hold onto but they need more. So, Pancreatic Cancer UK does more.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is now seeking an experienced Head of Finance to take full ownership of the finance function. This pivotal leadership role will enable the Director of Finance, People and Operations to focus on strategic priorities while ensuring robust financial management, insight, and governance across the charity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking full ownership of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s finance function, including financial and management accounting, VAT, and statutory reporting.
• Partnering with directorates across the charity to develop budgets, forecasts, and reporting that support strategic decision-making.
• Enhancing the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial data to create a more forward-looking, insight-driven finance function.
• Leading the continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting, driving efficiencies and better collaboration.
• Providing financial leadership during key projects, including a VAT review and ongoing improvements to forecasting and controls.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing a small but high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the senior and wider leadership team, ensuring financial risks and opportunities are clearly communicated and understood.

The Organisation

Pancreatic Cancer UK is courageous, compassionate, and collaborative in all it does. Every member of the team shares one mission and one purpose: to transform outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer. Their five-year strategy: Finding breakthroughs. Giving hope. Saving lives.
In the last five years, they have seen more progress than in the previous five decades. In the next five years, they are determined to step up the pace and drive this progress even further, transforming how people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed, treated, and cared for and ultimately saving lives.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience as a Head of Finance or similar senior finance leadership role, ideally within a charity or not-for-profit organisation of comparable size (£5m–15m income).
• Strong technical skills across both financial and management accounting.
• Excellent understanding of budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial control.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team and driving process and system improvements.
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting fundraising and operational teams, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• A proactive mindset and commitment to the mission and values of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, a minimum of two days per week based in their central London office and comes with a comprehensive and attractive range of employee benefits. The closing date for applications is 30^th November, but applications will be reviewed on a on a rolling basis so early submission is encouraged.

Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, Pancreatic Cancer UK’s exclusive recruitment partner.

Community Fundraiser - Home Counties

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Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex. 

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Key Responsibilities: ​

• ​Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​

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Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

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If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.

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​We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.​​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

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We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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Research Coordinator

Location: London. Hybrid

Hours: Full time/ 35 hours per week

Contract type: Fixed term – 6 months

Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum

Annual leave: 25 days per year + bank holidays

Tommy’s Research Team is small but has a big impact on the delivery of the charity’s strategic ambitions. We need a highly organised and proactive individual to support the administrative functions of our team.

The Research Coordinator will pay a key role in ensuring the smooth running of our research funding activities, through maintaining accurate records, coordinating meetings and communications, supporting the expert peer review process, and assisting with governance and reporting requirements. The post holder will have strong organisational, time management and interpersonal skills, and confidence in managing multiple priorities and multi-tasking.

If you have experience providing administrative support in a fast-paced professional environment and would like to play a key role in the funding of groundbreaking research in the field of pregnancy and maternal health, apply now.

Candidates should apply via Charity Job and include a CV and cover letter (max 2 sides) explaining your motivations for applying to the role and skills that you would bring to it.

Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 7th December and interviews will be held online w/c 15 December.