Research Manager - RfPB

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR funds, enables, and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.



Further information on the NIHR can be found at: www.nihr.ac.uk.

The NIHR RfPB programme provides funding for high quality health and social care research in the NHS in England, and allocates funding on a regional basis, for project grants of up to £500,000 and 36 months in duration. The team currently manages a portfolio of over 1,400 projects and delivers at least three funding competition cycles per year.

Reporting to a Senior Research Manager, this role will involve managing and supporting the funding processes, and ensure effective monitoring of a portfolio of funded projects. 

Other key aspects include supporting team members and the improvement of operational processes and working practices. The Research Manager will also be involved in the capture of key outputs and their impact on delivering patient benefit.

Key accountabilities

• Supporting all aspects of research funding, including researching potential call themes, advising potential applicants, revising application forms and guidance documents, reviewing and short-listing of applications for funding, managing the funding committee, coordinating and attending funding committee meetings, providing feedback to successful and unsuccessful applicants
• Undertaking due diligence of proposals based on critical assessment of healthcare-related projects, including reviewing the scientific, technical and clinical rationale, and, supported by senior members of the team, analysis of value for money, evaluation of proposed IP protection and freedom to operate positions and assessment of the proposed dissemination, adoption and/or commercialisation strategy
• Negotiating funding agreements for projects recommended for funding, including the negotiation of milestones, financial arrangements and reporting requirements to enable successful project progression
• Managing a portfolio of funded projects, including monitoring of scientific, clinical and financial performance, reviewing IP and dissemination plans and managing contractual changes to ensure appropriate strategies are in place leading to patient benefit and/or commercial realisation
• Liaising regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including attending, organising and leading meetings, representing the funder’s perspective at project meetings to facilitate successful project development, and promoting and representing funding programmes at external meetings
• Contributing to strategic programme initiatives.

Essential Criteria

• A degree in biomedical, health, or social sciences
• Experience working in a research-focused environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically assess complex scientific, technical, and/or clinical information across healthcare sectors
• Demonstrated experience in managing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Desirable Criteria

• A postgraduate or higher degree in biomedical, health, or social sciences
• Experience working with government departments, the NHS, or other public sector bodies
• Experience in research management, including overseeing projects or portfolios
• In-depth understanding of the UK’s health and care research ecosystem

Behaviours and Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent written communication skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong planning and organisational capabilities; able to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision
• Collaborative team player who contributes positively to team goals
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills
• Sound financial awareness and budget management understanding
• oficient in IT systems and digital tools relevant to research and administration

Why work for us?

Join our team and you’ll be working with an exceptional organisation who manage high quality health and care research for the benefit of patients and the public. NIHR is one of the UK’s largest funder of health and care research.

Salary & Benefits

• £40,300 per year 
• Bonus - subject to company performance
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Benenden Healthcare
• Season Ticket Loan

This is a permanent full time, office based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, which might increase, subject to team requirements.



How to Apply

Please submit your application directly through SmartRecruiters, including your CV and a statement of suitability that outlines both your motivation for applying and how your experience aligns with the role.



If you are interested to discuss this role in more details, please contact Jennie Hejdenberg, Assistant Director, RfPB, [email protected].

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.