Head of Research Funding (Maternity Cover)

Be part of the breakthrough. Help change lives through world-class medical research.

At the Medical Research Foundation, we don’t just fund research – we fuel progress. We back bold ideas, support brilliant minds, and invest in science that’s often overlooked but urgently needed. As our remit is as broad as medical research itself, we fund an exciting variety of science and can step in where others cannot. We are looking for a forward-thinking Head of Research Funding to join us on a one-year maternity cover.  This is an opportunity for someone passionate about improving human health and advancing medical research to step up or across into a leadership role to manage our Research Funding Team and deliver our strategic research objectives.

Why this role matters

You will be the driving force of the Research Funding Team, ensuring our funding mechanisms uphold the highest standards of integrity, supporting research with the greatest potential for impact.  Your leadership will be crucial in identifying new funding opportunities, maintaining rigorous oversight of grant management, and ensuring our research funding remains innovative.

You will:

• Oversee the planning and execution of research funding competitions and ensure robust management of the full lifecycle of grant funding.
• Undertake health and research landscape reviews to identify emerging areas of research need and innovation.
• Manage and develop a team of six people, maintaining the highest professional standards.

About You

You are inspired to help us to deliver our vision of a world where medical research improves the health of everyone. 

You bring:

• A PhD in biomedical sciences or related fields; or equivalent experience and a degree in biological sciences.
• Significant experience of biomedical research funding, including developing and managing funding calls; financial oversight of funding; peer review; and grant management.
• Line management expertise.

You may also have:

• Postdoctoral research experience
• Experience of preparing landscape reviews and strategic cases for support.

What we offer:

• £61,000 - £65,000 per year full-time (36 hours per week). Part-time considered (min. 0.8 FTE)
• 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• 12% employer pension contribution + life assurance
• Generous other benefits
• Wellbeing support and flexible working culture
• A chance to be part of a mission that matters.
• Opportunities to grow, learn, and make an impact.

This fixed-term post is expected to run from January 2026 to December 2026.  We are happy to consider secondments from other organisations.

We value spending time working in-person to develop connections with each other and with our mission, so you will be based at our central London office for at least three days a week if you are full-time (Monday, Tuesday, and either Wednesday or Thursday) with the option to work remotely for the remainder.  If you are part-time, you will be office-based for at least 50% of your time.

Visit our website for the job description and details of the application process via the 'Apply' button.

A Place for Everyone 

We believe diversity drives creativity and innovation. We are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity, fostering fairness and inclusion, and creating an environment where everyone feels that they belong.

We especially welcome applications from individuals from minoritised groups, including those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.

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