Senior Research Manager, Early Career and Career Development Researchers

Salary: 64800

Closing date: Sunday 7 September 2025

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: first stage w/c 29 September 2025 second stage w/c 13 October 2025

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science leading policy and advocacy campaigns and building partnerships.

We plan to spend 16bn over the next ten years funding new discoveries in life health and wellbeing and taking on three global health challenges: mental health infectious disease and climate and health.

We are looking for a Senior Research Manager to join our team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working

You will be working within the Early Career and Career Development Researchers (ECCDR) team within the Discovery Research directorate reporting to the Head of Early Career and Career Development Researchers.

The Discovery Research team supports a broad programme of curiosity-driven research that leads to significant shifts in our understanding of life health and wellbeing. We are pursuing these goals through both open and directed funding routes to enable individuals and teams to pursue bold and creative research within our broad remit. We also play a key role in forging partnerships and supporting networks within the research and funding communities to support a positive research environment.

The Early Career and Career Development Researchers team has a focus on those making their way through the academic pathway towards an established research post.

What will I be doing

As Senior Research Manager you will focus on Career Development Researchers: those who are on the pathway to being internationally recognised leaders in their fields. One aspect of this will be to oversee the Wellcome Career Development Awards which provide 120m of research funding per year for the community.

As a key member of the Early Career and Career Development Researchers team at Wellcome you will contribute to shaping and delivering high-impact initiatives that support research and innovation aligned with our mission. You will lead major projects influence funding decisions and collaborate across disciplines to foster learning inclusion and scientific excellence. Working at the intersection of strategy funding and research development your role will be instrumental in driving forward Wellcomes strategic objectives and promoting an inclusive supportive research culture.

Youll work both independently and collaboratively to scope emerging opportunities deliver complex programmes and support internal and external stakeholders. Your expertise and leadership will ensure rigorous fair and strategic decision-making processes backed by robust scientific and stakeholder insight.

In addition we are seeking someone who has a developed understanding of academic career development and support to directly lead on projects to support the growth of a broader ecosystem in which researchers can thrive such as supporting leadership development and innovative approaches to supporting the researcher pipeline.

As a Senior Research Manager you will:

• Lead and deliver strategic initiatives by designing and managing large-scale programmes of work ensuring they align with Wellcomes overarching mission and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Shape funding activities through critical assessment of applications providing informed recommendations and contributing to robust and equitable decision-making processes.

• Drive research and development by identifying emerging trends scoping areas of interest and leading the design and implementation of new strategic projects.

• Engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders building strong partnerships with researchers institutions and internal colleagues to inform and strengthen programme delivery.

• Communicate insights and progress effectively by drafting reports leading multidisciplinary meetings and briefing senior leadership and external audiences on programme impact.

• Champion inclusion equity and research culture by embedding inclusive practices in programme design and delivery and maintaining active engagement with funded researchers to support positive research environments.

Is this job for me

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for research and the drive to make a difference Were looking for someone with deep experience in the research landscape whether from academia funding industry or the charity sector who is ready to influence and shape programmes that advance science health and equity.

Youll thrive in this role if you bring a broad understanding of research systems and communities strong project leadership skills and a collaborative mindset. Your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly whether in writing presentations or stakeholder meetings will be return youll gain the opportunity to contribute to meaningful programmes build strategic partnerships and shape the future of research developing your influence leadership and cross-sector expertise along the way.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Experience of working as a postdoctoral researcher in an academic research environment

• Experience of working for a research funder or another funding related role

• Evidence of having contributed to work to support the career development of academic researchers

Discover more

You can view the full job description on our website.

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website

Our Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment in which people can perform at their best.

At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome.

We are committed to cultivating a fair andinclusiveenvironment where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includesmaking adjustmentsfor people who have a disability or long-term visit our websitefor more information on adjustments and accessibility or contact us at.

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