Research manager jobs

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We’re looking for a motivated Research Manager to lead research excellence across identification, conversion, and retention workstreams to maximise supporter value through the Relationship Management pipeline model.

This role will drive intelligence gathering that enables Cancer Research UK to identify, cultivate, and retain high-value supporters through prospect research, data-driven insights, and collaborative practices within the centralised  Relationship Management pipeline model .

What will I be doing?

• Lead a team of researchers to deliver high-quality intelligence supporting all three workstreams of the RM pipeline model (identification, conversion, retention). 

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Opportunity Development Manager to design and implement research approaches that directly support pipeline optimisation, prioritising efforts based on data-led analysis and potential supporter value. 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive management information systems across all RM audience groups, providing intelligence that informs strategic decision-making within the centralised pipeline management approach. 

• Oversee the delivery of detailed supporter profiles and research insights that enable personalised interventions at key decision moments across the supporter journey. 

• Maintain a comprehensive overview of market trends and competitor analysis to inform strategic planning and identify new opportunities for supporter engagement across all pipeline stages. 

• Communicate and present research findings in a compelling manner to colleagues, leadership, and the wider RM function to drive evidence-based decision making. 

• Work collaboratively within the matrixed structure, partnering with Governance and Stewardship Managers to increase knowledge sharing and optimise the supporter journey. 

• Lead on developing pipeline monitoring and reporting systems to track performance across identification, conversion, and retention stages, supporting continuous improvement. 

• Guide the implementation of research approaches that directly contribute to tactical, data-led personalised interventions to maximise pipeline value. 

What are we looking for?

• Comprehensive understanding of relationship management pipelines and the role of research in supporting the optimisation of supporter journeys. 

• Advanced analytical skills and ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations that support personalised supporter engagement. 

• Proficient in the use of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), data visualisation tools, and research databases to extract and present meaningful insights. 

• Excellent organisational and people management skills – able to lead a team while operating effectively within the matrixed workstream structure. 

• Innovative approach to research with ability to identify opportunities for process improvements across the supporter journey. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences. 

• Experience with data protection regulations and their application throughout the research process. 

As our Research Partnerships Manager, you’ll play a vital role in shaping collaborative partnerships and programmes that support research development for people with motor neurone disease (MND). This is an opportunity to bring your skills to a team that works with focus and determination.

Joining the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, you will help ensure that research partnerships are well-managed, well-governed and ready to grow. As Research Partnerships Manager, you’ll work closely with colleagues and external stakeholders to strengthen programmes that support innovation across the research community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational management of research partnerships and programmes
• Line manage and support the Research Partnerships Officer
• Oversee governance, due diligence, contracting and compliance processes
• Maintain programme plans, timelines and reporting frameworks
• Monitor progress and risks, ensuring effective mitigation
• Liaise with Finance and Research Funding teams on budgets and procurement
• Drive improvements to partnership and governance procedures
• Develop and deliver partnership activities across academic, clinical, funding and industry sectors
• Support negotiation and documentation of collaboration agreements
• Implement new programmes including seed funding and innovation calls
• Oversee all operations and reporting linked to the MND Collections

About You

• Degree in biomedical or health sciences (postgraduate desirable)
• Significant experience in research programme or partnership management
• Proven understanding of research governance, ethics and data management
• Confident delivering partnership or convening activities
• Skilled communicator able to work with varied stakeholders
• Excellent organisation, analytical ability and complex project management skills
• Experience supporting or managing people
• Understanding of research funding or translational research initiatives
• Knowledge of the health innovation landscape across academia, NHS or industry
• Working knowledge of managing biobanks or collaborative research infrastructures

Hybrid working expectations: office attendance one day per week

Further information about MND Association and full job description is available in the attached Candidate Pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Hybrid working

About Us

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes away independence and it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.

About us

The King’s community is united by a commitment to serve society through academic excellence. King’s Strategy 2030 sets out our bold vision for the future, building on our strengths while responding to a rapidly changing world. The strategy focuses on delivering student success in and beyond the University; investing in research and education excellence that addresses global, national and local priorities; fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; and securing sustainable finances for a secure future. Through these priorities, and supported by a culture that values our people, services, campuses, partnerships and alumni, we will strengthen our impact and enable every student and member of our community to contribute meaningfully to society.

Within the Social Mobility & Widening Participation Department we believe all young people should be able to have high expectations for their future. This means equal access to education and career opportunities. We run programmes that aim to empower young people from under-represented backgrounds to access and succeed at university.

 We are part of the Students & Education Directorate, a collection of wide-ranging professional services in place to support King’s students and their education. As a directorate we manage the student lifecycle from application to graduation and beyond, to ensure a coherent and seamless student experience and effective administrative processes, working closely with King’s faculties to do so.

About the role

The Research and Evaluation Manager will work to position King’s College London as a sector leader on conducting institutional evaluation and research to understand how we can support students from underrepresented groups to access university and succeed at university. Our team aims to generate causal evidence, either through Randomised Controlled Trials or Quasi-experimental designs.

This is an exciting opportunity for candidates looking to work in research and evaluation in an applied context, and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods. This is an opportunity to grow your skills in generating and applying evidence to practice.

We encourage applications from candidates who have experience from both within and outside of the Higher Education sector where they can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role as well as candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.

Key responsibilities

· Supervise and lead on a range of research & evaluation activities, including synthesis of secondary research; conducting qualitative, quantitative and/or survey designs; developing and delivering randomised controlled trials (and other experimental trials as appropriate), 

· Convey research findings, including complex quantitative information, in a clear and actionable way 

· Develop and maintain expertise in behavioural research and evaluation methodologies

· Work with academics and practitioners to test and trial new approaches to widening participation and student success 

· Line manage the Senior Research and Evaluation Adviser or Senior Data Officer

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

This post will be offered on a fixed term basis.

This is a full-time post, but we welcome applications from candidates seeking a flexible work pattern within our necessary service operating hours of 10am-4pm.

Working Pattern

· This is a full-time (35 hours per week) post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract. The role works with a hybrid working pattern. While some on-site presence will be required for team collaboration, events, and programme activities, there is potential for a substantial proportion of working hours to be undertaken remotely.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience

Essential criteria

· Relevant work experience and/or education: We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. Relevant work experience might include work in any research or evaluation job.  Relevant educational experiences might include higher education in a related discipline, professional qualifications or other training 

· Ability to consider and select appropriate research designs and methodologies, using qualitative and quantitative methods including surveying, interviewing and running focus groups.  

· Experience establishing causal inference in research when evaluating projects or interventions with experimental methods (e.g. quasi-experimental methods, randomised controlled trials). 

· Experience in designing and running multiple social research and evaluation projects, managing competing demands and timescales and delivering to milestones. 

· Confident in conducting data analysis including handling large data sets and statistical testing using relevant software (such as Power BI, R, Stata, or SPSS) and presenting findings in various formats. 

· Confident and clear written and verbal communication, including report-writing, data visualisation and presentation skills. 

· Ability to give a team clear direction and guide it to the successful completion of a task. 

· Ability to identify and manage the objectives, performance, and development needs of others. 

Desirable criteria

· Postgraduate degree or qualification in research methods, statistics, analytics or a related field and/or relevant experience. 

· Experience using behavioural insights in a research or policy context to positively influence behaviour 

· Understanding of the widening participation agenda and/or the role of higher education in social mobility 

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Closing date: 1 April 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 9 - 10 April 2026.