Research Manager, Climate and Health Field Development

Wellcome 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.

We are looking for a Research Manager to contribute to the delivery of the Climate & Health programme ensuring strategic objectives are met. This role is part of the Climate & Health team, which will deliver an ambitious portfolio of research, translation and engagement activity. This role will support the team to convene, fund and share learning in-line with the Climate & Health strategy by implementing specific projects and activities such as: implementing and assessing funding calls and commissions, convening groups, drafting reports and liaising with internal and external groups and individuals as required.

Our vision is a world where catastrophic climate breakdown is averted in a way that allows human health to flourish. More information about Wellcome’s Climate & Health work can be found here.

Capacity & Field Development role

The Climate & Health Capacity & Field Development sub-team is helping to catalyse a more coherent and diverse climate and health science community that shares values and goals, fosters creative new research, and unearths new understanding from existing evidence. We believe that tackling climate and health will require a transdisciplinary approach which brings together researchers from different fields relevant to climate and health – together with policy actors, the private sector and others responsible for driving action to ensure that our research addresses the needs of research users and increases the likelihood of uptake. Understanding and addressing climate change and health will require an appreciation of how biological, physical and social factors interact. Our approach to field building includes ensuring climate and health scientists from diverse disciplines use common metrics, learn from each other and make use of the insights and views of those most affect ed. We expect applicants to have an understanding of how climate and health integrate across systems and sectors, and a broad understanding of research methods.

Successful applicants will need to have significant expertise in relation to at least one specialist area of climate and health science, broadly defined. Some illustrative examples are climate science, meteorology, economics or behavioural sciences, but these are not exhaustive. They will also need experience of working with and convening researchers and other stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of experiences in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, research management and research funding from academia, government, the private sector and civil society. A PhD is not essential, but experience of conducting or evaluating research will be advantageous. Prior experience in an international context, particularly in a low-or-middle income country region such as Asia is an advantage. Please note that availability to travel both domestically and internationally is expected in this role.

In this role you will:

• Contribute to the effective delivery of work that may range from convening, to making funding decisions and producing reports/reviews; providing specific technical expertise as relevant.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the breadth of work of the climate & health challenge area, sharing knowledge and expertise to contribute to the work of the wider Research Programmes department and throughout Wellcome.
• Maintain an active relationship with applicants and staff on grants so all funded researchers feel a greater sense of partnership with Wellcome.
• Participate in the selection of external advisors to support decision-making for challenge area, ensuring external advice is of the highest quality.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders, including other funders, partner organisations, and members of the research community and to be able to clearly communicate the work of challenge area and its funding initiatives to internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to the initiation, ongoing management and conclusion of Climate & Health projects, major initiatives and awards acting as the main point of contact for defined projects, liaising with external stakeholders or partners on straightforward issues.
• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, collaborating across departments. 

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Ability to demonstrate a breadth of research expertise in a relevant field through relevant work experience in an academic, industrial, funding agency or charity setting.
• Experience/knowledge of universities, funders and other relevant scientific and research organisations and communities
• Ability to employ diverse approaches to effectively communicate complex information to individuals and groups from a range of different background and different seniority levels.
• Excellent organisational skills. Demonstrated ability to manage a fluctuating, heavy workload and competing priorities
• Experience/knowledge of managing projects in an academic or industry setting.
• Experience of working in a low- or middle- income country context or region such as Asia or Africa, would be desirable.

For the recruitment of this role we are using Workday’s anonymised application functionality.

To apply please upload your CV and complete our short application. Please ensure that when you are applying you complete all sections on the application form, we will not be able to accept any applications that are incomplete.

Interview dates: 9th and 10th May

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. We are currently working 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 3 days working either remotely or in the office.

From 1st September 2024 we will move to 3 days in the office (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 and inclusive environment, 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 includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org