Research Lead, Population Health Research

Salary: 82100

Closing date: Sunday 1 February 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: w/c 09 March (Remote/Online)

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.

These challenges need the bold science we support but they wont be solved by science alone.

Our mission in Discovery Research a strategic programme within the Discovery department is to generate new knowledge that transforms life health and wellbeing in ways we cant always anticipate. We fund researchers across disciplines and career stages creating the conditions for ambitious ideas to flourish. By investing in tools technologies methodologies and research cultures we aim to remove barriers and enable breakthroughs that improve health for everyone.

We take a long-term view supporting bold and creative research that spans from fundamental biology to social sciences. Our approach includes regular funding opportunities for investigator-led research programmes major long-term investments and directed initiatives in critical fields to catalyse new research approaches. Diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration are at the heart of our vision ensuring richer insights and more impactful discoveries.

We are looking for Research Lead Population Health Research to join our team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working

You will be working in the Directed Activity team in Discovery Research. The team is focused on:

• Analysing the scientific landscape and the Wellcome-funded portfolio to identify activities that enable research for a broader range of researchers across fields and disciplines.

• Managing our existing portfolio of 50 investments

• Developing new areas and partnerships for potential Wellcome activity either through funding research advocating for policy change and engaging and convening.

Investments are designed to stimulate fields of research and allow researchers to ask questions in new ways. They are intended to be transformative and disruptive. Recent examples include our focus on technologies (eg bioimaging genomics) and on enabling platforms and capabilities (eg investments like African Population Cohorts Consortium or landscaping reports on social data for health).

What will I be doing

As a Research Lead Population Health Research you will work as part of a group of 5 Research Leads across the Scales of Life from molecules & atoms to Populations & Societies. You will lead on the Population Health portfolio to:

• Drive strategic projects within the population health research workstream from scoping and planning through to delivery ensuring alignment with the Discovery Research strategy.

• Lead a matrix team to analyse and monitor impact of the Wellcome funded portfolio and to shape research priorities by identifying emerging opportunities commissioning studies and working with specialist advisers to advance population health research.

• Build and maintain partnerships with senior stakeholders and key organisations to deliver impactful initiatives and strengthen Wellcomes influence.

• Represent Wellcome externally contributing to national and international discussions conferences and networks to champion population health research.

Is this job for me

Youll thrive in this role if you bring deep expertise in population health research and have led complex high-profile initiatives with diverse teams. Youll be confident building partnerships across sectors influencing senior stakeholders and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset are essential to help deliver Wellcomes mission.

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

Minimum Criteria :

• Proven significant experience and knowledge of population health research.

• The ability to demonstrate a breadth of research interests and expertise in a relevant field through prior experiences in an academic industrial funding agency or charity setting.

• Experience of shaping and delivering research or science related programmes of work with multi-disciplinary teams at a variety of scales and across different settings (eg geographies sectors etc).

• Demonstrated ability to develop and nurture partnerships with key individuals and organisations nationally or internationally in public or private sectors.

You can view the full job description on our website

Application questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description (Up to 500 words)

• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader team member) the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims) and the major contributions you personally made.

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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