Research Manager, Discovery Research

Salary: 55000

Closing date:Thursday 14 May 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 22 May) online/Remote

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 committed to spend 16bn in the ten years to 2032 funding new discoveries in all areas related to life health and wellbeing and taking on three global health challenges: mental health infectious disease and climate and health.

Our mission needs the bold discovery research we support. Our mission in Discovery Research a strategic programme within the Discovery Department at Wellcome is to generate new knowledge that has the potential to transform life health and wellbeing in ways we cant always anticipate. We fund researchers in the UK and in LMICs across disciplines and career stages creating the conditions for ambitious and transformative research ideas to flourish. By investing in tools technologies and research cultures we aim to remove barriers and enable breakthroughs that improve health for everyone.

We are looking to recruit two Research Managers to join the team. We are open to candidates with a background in any area relevant to discovery research but are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in immunology engineering and physical sciences and/or working with or leading projects in LMICs.

Where in Wellcome will I be working

You will manage and deliver projects that support the Discovery Research team to convene communities fund research and track progress in line with its strategy working closely with internal and external partners. By building strong relationships and coordinating activities such as evaluation collaboration and reporting you will play a key role in helping the team deliver its goals and maximise the impact of its work.

What will I be doing

The Discovery Researchers team supports Wellcomes core discoveryled research portfolio working with researchers across disciplines to design funding opportunities support robust decisionmaking and steward funded research. The team builds strong relationships with applicants and grantholders monitors research progress and culture and ensures learning informs Wellcomes wider work.

The Major Initiatives team leads Wellcomes largescale longterm discovery research investments including institutes platforms and major partnerships. The team works with researchers partners and funders to shape strategic initiatives oversee delivery and governance and support ambitious programmes with the potential for wideranging impact.

As a Research Manager you will:

• Deliver Discovery Research work by convening communities supporting funding decisions producing reviews and reports and applying relevant technical expertise to specific projects.

• Build and share a strong understanding of Discovery Research and the wider research and funding landscape contributing knowledge and insight across the team and Wellcome.

• Support effective stewardship of Wellcomes funding portfolio by monitoring research progress research culture and diversity and inclusion and maintaining active relationships with applicants and grantholders.

• Work with advisors funders partners and the research community to support highquality decisionmaking and clearly communicate Discovery Research priorities and funded activity.

• Manage and coordinate Discovery Research initiatives and awards acting as a key contact for defined projects and working collaboratively across teams to achieve shared outcomes.

• Deliver work to agreed timelines and budgets managing risks compliance and quality of outputs while contributing to a collaborative inclusive and valuesled working culture.

Is this job for me

This role is suited to someone with broad research experience who is excited by discovery research and the strategic questions around how research is funded supported and shared. You will enjoy working across disciplines and cultures communicating complex ideas clearly managing multiple projects and building credibility with researchers funders and partners including those working in low and middleincome country (LMIC) contexts. If you are collaborative intellectually curious and motivated by supporting excellent inclusive research with global impact this could be the right role for you.

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:

• Able to demonstrate a breadth ofresearchexpertise in arelevant fieldthrough relevant work experiencein an academic industrialfunding agencyor charitysetting.

• Experience/knowledge of universities fundersand other relevant scientificand research organisations andcommunities.

• Ability toemploy diverse approaches to effectivelycommunicatecomplex information toindividuals and groupsfroma range ofdifferent background anddifferentsenioritylevels.

• Well-developed writing skills with ability to synthesise information conveying key points clearly and concisely

• Experience/knowledgeofmanaging projectsin an academic or industrysetting

Applications 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 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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