Head of Research

The role

Were seeking an innovative Head of Research to join our fantastic Support Research and Influencing Directorate team and help us improve survival for people with pancreatic cancer.

Currently pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of just 7% due to late diagnosis and a lack of effective treatments. As our Head of Research youll help us work with leading pancreatic cancer experts to develop an innovative strategy to accelerate research into this devastating disease in the UK. Pancreatic Cancer UK invests around 2.5 million in research each year. Youll lead on developing and delivering our research programme to ensure we invest this money well and fund quality research that will have an impact.

About You

• Youll have a strong track record in developing and implementing research strategy that drives impact.
• Youll take an innovative approach to research activity learning from others in the community and incorporating new ideas that can accelerate progress in meeting research objectives.
• Youll have substantial experience of grant award and management processes including running grant rounds working with large external committees governance peer review and evaluating the impact of funding schemes.

If this sounds like you wed love to hear from you!

About working for us

This is a fast-paced and growing organisation that is really committed to making a difference. Being a part of our team is being part of a thriving positive dynamic successful and welcoming community that is making an impact. We will support you and develop you should you wish this and you get the opportunity to be involved in activities outside the scope of your immediate role. We care about your health and well-being and your work-life balance and you will feel that your contribution is valued and matters.

About us

Pancreatic cancer is a tough one but were taking it on. It is tough to diagnose tough to treat and tough to research. For too long this disease has been side-lined. We want to make sure that everyone affected by it gets all the help they need. Together we are taking on pancreatic cancer. Underpinning this vision are our three values:

• Courage
• Compassion
• Community

We cannot achieve our vision without employing people who are committed to our vision strategy and values.

At Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK) our ambition is to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the communities and audiences that we engage with and where everyone can be their true selves where they feel respected championed heard and supported. We want our workforce to achieve their potential understand their contribution and feel proud of their impact by creating a culture and organisation that is genuinely inclusive by advancing equality diversity inclusion and belonging through our policies and practices.

We believe diversity drives great outcomes by encouraging the different points of view that come from a diverse workforce. We want to hear from and engage with people whose experience of dealing with this disease may be very different depending on their individual circumstances and background. We can think of no better way to do this than by making sure this role fully represents our intent; therefore we are especially keen to consider applications from suitable applicants who consider themselves to be in areas that appear underrepresented within the charity sector.

Safeguarding

PCUK is committed to safe and fair recruitment processes that safeguard and protect those we work with support and serve. We make sure all our staff are selected vetted (DBS/Criminal record checks where appropriate) trained and supervised fairly and to a high standard so that they can provide safe effective and compassionate care. Where we work with volunteers we extend the same support in order to ensure that they are working within our ethos and standards.

Hybrid-working:

Our London office is a place to connect collaborate and celebrate with colleagues we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. We are currently working hybrid with a minimum of 2-3 days in the office. This is an office-based role where you may be required to be in the office more frequently to attend activities and meetings depending on the needs of the role.

How to apply

• You can download the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role. If you have any questions about this role that weve not answered please get in touch with Anna Jewell Director of Support Research & Influencing at
• To apply please complete the online application form setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification criteria. This information will be used to select candidates for interviews.
• You will need to have the right to work in the UK as we are not able to provide sponsorship for this role.
• Please note that first interviews will be held remotely on 19^th September 2025 and second round interviews will be held on 23^rd September 2025 at our office in London.

No agencies/sales call please as a charity we work hard to keep our costs down and therefore will not be engaging agencies to support this recruitment.

Required Experience:

Director