Programme Manager

Full time
Open ended and fixed term contacts available
Swindon/London

We are recruiting multiple Programme Managers to join the Medical Research Council’s Research and Translation Directorates. These roles play a core part in MRC’s mission to improve human health by managing a portfolio of research (a ‘scientific patch’) within one of MRC’s broader science areas. Reporting to our Heads of Theme, Programme Managers work with administrative teams on peer review delivery and with others across MRC Head Office. The roles support different science and policy areas, with responsibilities in our research culture and research funding policy teams.

You will be the knowledge-holder of the scientific issues relating to your patch, spanning new research developments, research partnerships and policy-related issues. You will:

• Provide support and advice for grant applicants
• Be responsible for the peer review of research funding
• Act as the primary interface for internal and external stakeholders (e.g. researchers in the academic and commercial sectors, funding agencies, policy makers)
• Assist senior colleagues in the review of research fields and the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and policy
• Develop and manage funding schemes and initiatives.

General Responsibilities

Programme Managers are responsible for the peer review of research funding applications, including discussing proposals with applicants; selecting reviewers or providing quality control for outsourced selection; providing advice during triage; attending Board/Panel meetings or interviews in order to answer queries; minuting discussions, and taking any follow-up action.

You will be the point of contact for the management of investments, which may include monitoring grant progress; considering requests for supplements or alterations to grants; and recommending action to senior colleagues.

Building close working relationships with senior colleagues, other Programme Managers and MRC office groups is a key feature of these roles, as is the development and maintenance of a broad range of working relationships within MRC, UKRI and externally.

Please click apply to view the full list of responsibilities.

Person requirements

Criteria marked with an asterix (*) will be used to shortlist applications.

• A PhD or equivalent*
• Significant research or research-related experience, demonstrating a broad understanding of scientific issues*
• Experience of working directly and achieving results with a wide range of stakeholders, e.g. research funders, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS, scientific publishing or academia*
• The ability to communicate clearly – both orally and in writing, across a range of issues (beyond your own academic focus)*
• The ability to identify key issues within a project and analyse essential information
• The ability to appraise science and partnership opportunities, identify strategic objectives and their implications, and make adaptations for own area of work
• The ability to manage conflicting priorities and time effectively
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to build relationships, negotiation, influencing, persuasion and “people” skills
• Positive advocate for medical research and the MRC
• Drive and determination
• Has integrity and takes personal responsibility
• Resilience – ability to remain calm under pressure
• Committed to self and organisational improvement

Working at UKRI means that you will have access to a range of benefits including a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts plus more!

Closing Date: 12^th February 2023

Advert information