Research manager jobs

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.

Would you like to help us achieve meaningful outcomes for those affected by dementia? Do you want to use your experience in grants management to ensure our research funding programme supports the highest quality dementia research?

About the role
We are recruiting for a Senior Research Manager to join on a full-time, permanent contract working 35 hours per week. This is a home-based role, with occasional travel required for conferences, events and in-person stakeholder or team meetings.

As Senior Research Manager, you will lead our Research Grants & Involvement team, creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered and able to contribute their best work. In doing so, you will contribute to the development and delivery of our ambitious research strategy, ensuring that our research funding programme supports the highest quality dementia research, informed at every stage by those with lived experience.

You will lead a collaborative and purpose-driven team, working at the forefront of research that has the potential to transform lives. This is a highly visible and strategic role providing expert input across all aspects of dementia research, including our own funding portfolio, to contribute towards our organisational priorities.

You will use your knowledge of the dementia research landscape to identify emerging trends and opportunities and shape our research funding programme. Using your extensive experience in grants management, you will ensure that our funding schemes meet the needs of the dementia research community, that our processes align with best practice and ultimately, that the research we support achieves meaningful outcomes for those affected by dementia.

Interviews have been provisionally scheduled to take place via MS Teams on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June.

About you
Joining us, you’ll possess relevant experience or education qualification in a relevant biomedical or health discipline, with extensive experience in research grants management, ideally in a medical research charity or similar funding organisation.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have good knowledge of the UK research funding landscape and research ecosystem, ideally in dementia. You’ll also have experience of embedding or supporting public involvement in research, or working in a co-production environment.

Crucially, you’ll have experience leading, managing and developing high-performing teams. You’ll also be a good communicator, able to work strategically with senior stakeholders, build relationships, influence and negotiate with them.

What you’ll focus on:

- Contributing to shaping Alzheimer’s Society’s research strategy, defining priority research themes aligned with our overarching organisational strategy.
- Acting as a trusted senior expert on dementia research internally, using horizon scanning and in-depth knowledge of Alzheimer’s Society’s funding portfolio.
- Working collaboratively to support the identification of funding gaps and new opportunities and partnerships, leading the development of future funding initiatives aligned with Alzheimer's Society’s research strategy.
- Overseeing the delivery and continuous improvement of research grant operations, ensuring that processes maintain the highest standards and reflect sector best practice, working closely with the Research Grants Manager.
- Developing and maintaining trusted senior level external relationships with leading dementia researchers, funders and partners, strengthening Alzheimer’s Society’s credibility as a leading research funder, and ensuring we are abreast of emerging trends and developments.
- Overseeing the development and delivery of Alzheimer’s Society’s vision for meaningful and impactful involvement of people with lived experience of dementia across its research programmes, working closely with the Research Involvement Manager.
- Leading, inspiring and developing a high performing team, building depth of expertise and strategic confidence and embedding a culture of test, learn and continuous improvement.

About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission?
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.  

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.  

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for. 

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

Our hiring process
We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours’ notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart. 

Giving back to you
At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

You’ll join Marie Curie’s Research Management and Impact team, part of the wider Research and Policy directorate. Marie Curie is the UK’s largest charitable funder of palliative and end-of-life care research, supporting a broad portfolio of research grants, partnerships and commissioned projects that influence policy, practice and public understanding.

As Research Manager, you’ll play a central role in supporting and developing Marie Curie’s growing portfolio of commissioned research. You’ll help colleagues across the organisation turn important questions into impactful research projects, supporting with pre and post award management, ensuring studies are well managed, effectively communicated and used to drive change.

From supporting the development of new commissioned research proposals to arranging internal decision making panels, managing projects post-award and maximising research impact, your work will help ensure evidence informs policy, practice and services across the charity and beyond. This is an exciting, high-profile role for someone passionate about research management, collaboration and using evidence to improve care and reduce inequalities at the end of life.

Your Impact:

• Support the management and coordination of Marie Curie’s growing portfolio of commissioned research projects.
• Lead administration of the commissioned research process, including internal approvals, documentation, reporting and governance activities.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to develop externally commissioned research proposals, including plans for impact and risk management.
• Act as a key contact for commissioned research grants, supporting effective project delivery and stakeholder collaboration.
• Develop guidance, resources and training materials to support colleagues with commissioning and managing external research.
• Help maximise the impact and visibility of commissioned research by supporting communication, dissemination and evidence use across the organisation.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on commissioned research activity, outputs and timelines.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, researchers, universities, NHS organisations and sector partners.
• Contribute to wider research management and impact initiatives across the directorate.

Key Requirements

• Experience in research and/or research management, ideally within a charity, government, university, or a healthcare-related setting.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear guidance documents and written reports.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience reviewing research reports, data or evidence.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders (including senior stakeholders) and building effective relationships.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage work proactively.
• Interest in research impact, evidence use and improving end-of-life care.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage processes accurately and consistently.

Please see the full job description (attached).

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Closing date for applications: 9 June 2026

We encourage early applications as we may close the job advert sooner after receiving a sufficient number of applications.

Salary: £36,900-41,000 per annum + £3,500 London Weighting Allowance if applicable

Contract:Permanent, full-time (35h per week)

Based:Hybrid London. You will work 2 days a week in the Embassy Gardens office in London.

We can also consider home-based working with the expectation for occasional travel to the office for candidates living beyond a commutable distance to London.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone - staff and volunteers alike - supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us.

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you - your experience, perspective and voice.

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

Research and Policy Manager
Contract: Fixed-term, 24-months
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £40,855 per annum
Location: Northern Ireland. (NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the Belfast BT15 office).

The Vacancy

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research and Policy Manager to make a significant contribution to the design, delivery and management of research and evidence projects at NCB, and to ensure that this evidence is used to influence national policy development and decision making.

The postholder will work across a range of projects, bring research and policy development and influencing together on topics including social care and the transition to adulthood; education; mental health & wellbeing; child poverty; youth violence and early years.

About NCB

For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.

Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.

The Benefits

• 30 Days Annual Leave
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working
• Winter Holiday Closure & Break
• Employee Assistance Programme

Closing date: 08:00am, Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Assessment and interviews to be conducted on 23rd and 24th June 2026.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.