Research manager jobs

Clinical Research Manager

The Clinical Research Manager will play a key role in advancing ARUK’s drug prioritisation activities as part of the Clinical Accelerator Programme. Working closely with the Senior Clinical Research Manager, this role will drive the identification, evaluation, and progression of high-potential drug candidates toward clinical trials, delivering tangible impact for people affected by dementia.

This role is vital in advancing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research objectives and organisational strategy and will be key to delivering impact for people affected by dementia. The Clinical Research Manager will manage the planning and delivery of ARUK’s drug prioritisation activities working collaboratively with external stakeholders and various departments across the organisation, including the wider Research, Fundraising and Policy, Communications and Involvement Teams to develop the programme and ensure successful delivery and measurable impact.

This role sits within the Clinical Research team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, proactive and growing team that is driving forward initiatives to bring more clinical trials to the UK for people living with or likely to develop dementia. With the first generation of disease modifying treatments recently approved, this is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with strong research experience who understands the clinical research environment in the UK, to contribute to groundbreaking work in dementia research, aligning with and advancing on the Government's new investment initiatives in the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. ARUK Drug Prioritisation Programme Delivery and Development

· Lead on the identification of therapies with the potential to be prioritised for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia through literature search and communication with the clinical research community and key external partners, with support from the Senior Clinical Research Manager.

· Lead the development and drafting of high-quality scientific dossiers that directly inform prioritisation decisions and progression of drug candidates.

· Lead the translation of recommendations from external advisory panels into actionable next steps.

· Work with the Senior Clinical Research Manager and the Senior Clinical Programmes Operations Officer to plan drug prioritisation activities, including meeting logistics, panel engagement, feedback and to track and evaluate progress.

· Identify, evaluate, and drive forward high-impact opportunities for drug prioritisation and clinical development in consultation with Partnerships, Evidence and Funding teams.

· Design and embed scalable processes to proactively monitor the global drug development landscape, utilising databases, conference intelligence, and literature to curate a dynamic intelligence log that tracks therapeutic candidates, development progress, and emerging opportunities across industry and academia.

2. Driving the advancement of the Clinical Accelerator Programme and delivery of key components of its strategy

· Drive planning and implementation of new activities as relevant to continually develop and advance the clinical research strategy

· Collaborate in mapping the clinical research ecosystem, identifying gaps in research and recommending actions to address them.

· Keep abreast of developments and trends in dementia clinical research to influence ARUK's strategies and decisions.

· Support and continuously strengthen internal reporting mechanisms, ensuring timely, high-quality updates to Senior Leadership and relevant boards that enable effective governance, informed decision-making, and strong organisational coordination

· Work closely with the Research Involvement Manager to integrate best practices in involvement and co-production to ensure our research is relevant for and supported by people affected by dementia

· Ensure effective information-sharing across internal stakeholders, including Research, Fundraising, Finance, Policy, Communications and Involvement teams, to maximise the visibility, uptake and strategic use of Clinical Accelerator Programme outputs.

· Aid in the planning, production, and communication of clinical research-related content with the ARUK Communications and Fundraising teams.

3. Strengthening Relationships with External Stakeholders

· Foster and nurture relationships with clinical leaders and research funders in the UK to build the profile of ARUK’s clinical research and help us to accelerate research towards a cure.

· Work closely with our Research Partnerships manager to maintain and build partnerships that further our clinical research objectives.

· Support the Senior Clinical Research Manager and Head of Clinical Research in enhancing ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders.

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

· PhD in a relevant biomedical field or equivalent experience in clinical or scientific research

· Strong ability to critically interpret and evaluate pre-clinical and clinical data

· Familiarity with the drug development process of taking a therapy from pre-clinical studies to regulatory approval.

· Excellent stakeholder management skills.

· Demonstrable commitment to collaborative and inclusive working.

· Proven experience in project management with the ability to adhere to deadlines and prioritise tasks.

· Understanding of research programme management.

· Experience or understanding of preparing scientific dossiers or evidence summaries to inform research prioritisation, funding, or strategic decision-making.

· Understanding of dementia research and funding landscapes.

· Experience working with biotech and pharmaceutical companies

· Exceptional scientific communication skills (written and verbal).

· Detail oriented

· Good IT skills.

· Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values.

· Values the involvement of people with lived experience in research.

· Highly self-motivated with the ability to work across different teams and departments.

· Solution-focussed with the ability to problem solve creatively.

· Able to work independently.

· Collaborative approach with ability to build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders.

· Good communicator with the ability to tailor communications to a range of audiences.

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 £46,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 28th June 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, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. 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. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us at 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. 

Join SmellTaste and lead the development of the charity’s involvement in research, shaping how lived experience of those affected by smell and taste impairment is integrated in research projects. As Research Development and Engagement Manager, you will lead engagement with researchers, our patient community, and external partners to develop and support new research collaborations. This includes leading the Public and Patient Involvement activity for a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders, and undertaking planning work for the prospective Programme Grant which is expected to follow this.

This post is funded for 2 days (15 hours) per week for an initial 12-month period, with the potential for the contract to be extended and for it to become a full-time role subject to further funding being secured. 

You will be joining a small, friendly and ambitious team that will support your professional development as part of the charity’s ongoing growth.

If you are passionate about making a difference to an underserved patient community and want to be part of a pioneering and collaborative organisation that values and empowers the people it represents then we would love to hear from you. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Application instructions: 

Please apply by providing both a CV and a covering letter which clearly states how you meet all the points in the Personal Specification.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the SmellTaste contribution to a 12-month National Institute of Health Research-funded Programme Development Grant, led by Prof Carl Philpott at the University of East Anglia (the ICAST Programme: Improving Care for patients with Smell & Taste Disorders).  
• Develop a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) strategy for the above project, including evaluation of impact and dissemination
• Manage a PPI panel for the NIHR project, organise PPIE meetings and ensure participants and panel members are remunerated for activity.
• Develop a detailed, costed delivery plan for the national survey element of the planned Programme Grant which is expected to follow on from the Programme Development Grant, including marketing and publicity, recruitment and dissemination.
• Work with the charity’s CEO and honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs to develop a research strategy for the charity that aligns with the research priorities identified in the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Smell and Taste Disorders.
• Work with the charity’s CEO, honorary Director of Research and Medical Affairs and external researchers to identify opportunities for new collaborative research opportunities.
• Develop funding applications for research projects.
• Oversee all of the charity’s collaborative research activity, including PPIE activity.
• Evaluate and report on the impact of research projects, ensuring inclusivity and ethical standards.

Personal specification

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in biological sciences or a related field
• Experience leading or supporting public and patient involvement and engagement initiatives in research
• Experience leading or supporting involvement in research
• Experience of writing grant applications
• Ability to communicate and interpret complex scientific research clearly
• Experience working with diverse and underrepresented communities
• Confident relationship builder with researchers and other external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills, including strong project management skills

Hours: Part-time, 15 hours per week

Salary: £40,000, pro-rata

Holiday allowance: 25 days pro-rata, plus bank holidays

Location: Home working. Some travel will be required to attend in-person meetings and events

Interviews expected to be held during the week commencing 22nd June.

• Location: Cambridge
• Salary: £39,640
• Contract period: Permanent
• Start date: As soon as possible

This is a pivotal moment to lead Fauna & Flora’s Research & Insight function as the organisation grows its global fundraising ambition and expands high-value activity across philanthropic, trusts & foundations and private sector income streams.

You will provide strategic leadership across donor intelligence, due diligence, CRM insight and analytical processes, ensuring these systems are applied with integrity, consistency and real impact across Fauna & Flora’s fundraising efforts.

Working closely with fundraising and wider organisational teams, you will develop and drive insight-led approaches, strengthening fundraising pipelines, embedding evidence-based decision-making and enabling long-term organisational growth.

In return, we offer the opportunity to work for a ground-breaking organisation at the frontline of global conservation, with a generous pension contribution, attractive leave allowance and life insurance.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on leading high-performing teams, shaping organisational practice and using insight and analysis to drive ambitious fundraising growth.

Please visit our website and download the job application pack for further details on how to apply.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 28 June 2026. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 6 July 2026.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.