Graduate Trainee

LGC manages research funding schemes and related initiatives for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, managing public investment in excess of £500m per annum.

We have a rare opportunity to become a pioneer in shaping the future of healthcare, social care, and public health. Our Graduate Scheme offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in every facet of research funding management, where you will contribute to improving the nation's health. If you are interested in working with the NIHR an organisation at the forefront of Health research funding, please read on, to learn more

Our people are specialists in leading research funding on behalf of organisations for the benefit of wider society. The Grant Management Group delivers research management, communications and engagement and provides expertise in the funding and management of commercial and technological innovation. On this scheme you will receive mentoring, professional development and training from experienced professionals in our specialist teams.

This is an opportunity to become an authority in all aspects of General Research Management facing the public sector, this year we are extending our offer to graduates who are particularly interested in developing a career in either Communications and Industry or External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway and will be appointing three graduates in 2024.

The General Research Management stream will give the graduate hands-on experience of the research lifecycle and will be responsible for running strategic projects that could involve the public and other partners.

The Communications and Industry stream provides the opportunity to work on the NIHR’s offer to industry and small and medium-sized enterprises and how we improve our communications with entrepreneurs with varying experiences of public research funding. Step into the dynamic world of the External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway stream, where you're not just a spectator but a key person shaping healthcare in the UK

This isn't your run-of-the-mill opportunity; it's an important position collaborating with a variety of partners, from researchers to policymakers, to redefine how vaccines are tested in clinical trials.

The Graduate Trainees in Research Management & Communications and Industry will be based in Twickenham, west London. The Graduate Trainee in External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway will be primarily based in LGC’s office in Victoria, central London though will be expected to be based in Twickenham, west London in the beginning.

Joining the graduate scheme provides the opportunity for internal collaboration with staff as well as exciting external liaison, with interfaces to the UK Government, academia, industry and the clinical community.

What you will do on our scheme:

Each step of the 22-month programme will challenge you and develop your managerial skills. You will have the chance to develop your strengths and explore your career aspirations.

We enable you to:

1. Learn how health research studies are awarded funding and monitored
2. Review an aspect of our work as part of a study in your first six months to deepen your appreciation of our service
3. Pitch to lead dynamic management projects to develop our grant management services
4. Deliver this 8-month project with tailored mentoring and coaching
5. Pitch to lead a second management project, potentially in a different area of interest
6. Deliver this second 8-month project with greater autonomy

For the Communications and Industry and External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway streams, steps 2-6 will be focused on projects and skill development related to the respective streams.

We see the chance to deliver projects as the best way to become an effective manager. With support throughout the programme, you will be able reflect on what you are learning, to develop your talents and plan your career. On completion of the scheme, you’ll be ready to take your career to the next stage, having acquired a comprehensive understanding of research funding management.

Entry requirements:

The ideal candidates will have a curious mind, be innovative in their thinking, have a passion for improving and a desire to make an impact health research funding.

Education

• A degree or equivalent experience in biomedical, health or life sciences
• Transferable skills for scientific/technical office workplace, such as, project planning, presentation of findings
• Project management and/or business administration training
• Evidence of financial savvy, budget forecasting

In addition for the Communications and Industry stream:

• Evidence of research engagement with MedTech, clinical and non-technical audiences, writing news, case studies, features or blogs, talks, podcasts, video or infographics or other online engagement content

In addition for the External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway stream:

• Experience/knowledge of policy development and standard operating procedures

Technical skills

• Numeracy, grammar and punctuation skills
• Ability to present complex information in an easily comprehensible manner
• Reading and summarising scientific, technical or clinical literature
• Report writing
• Information research and analysis
• Data analysis and presentation
• Can demonstrate awareness of health research process and ecosystem

In addition for the Communications and Industry stream:

• Copywriting and editing experience
• Interest in MedTech/other life science industry developments

In addition for the External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway stream:

• Are you skilled in the art of influencing and empowering diverse partners?
• Project planning and presentation of findings

Common essential competencies and behaviours:

• Innovative - able to find solutions to problems using creativity, reasoning and past experience, coupled with information and resources.
• Committed, willing to work and learn, punctual.
• Communicates with ease, demonstrates confidence and establishes trust.
• Conveys information, logically, positively and accurately; both verbally and in writing.
• Evidence of sensible time management and planning to deliver a good product or service promptly, either as an individual or in a team.
• Understands the value of collaboration in terms of combining expertise and capability.
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving capabilities.

Application Process

We don’t require specific work experience to join our scheme but do include examples if you have them (paid or unpaid) in your CV when you apply.

Please hold 07 August in your calendar, as this is the provisional date of the assessment and interview day should you be invited to interview.

Our selection process

Stage 1: CV and cover letter. We review your CV and cover letter (please upload these as a single document) to identify your strengths, interests and potential for the scheme.

NB: Please state clearly whether you are interested in applying for the General Research Management stream, the Communications and Industry stream or the External Affairs and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway stream.

Stage 2: Phone interview. This is a chance to discuss your experience, ambitions and motivation to join the scheme.

Stage 3: Assessment and interview day (provisionally 07 August 2024) This is where you take part in various activities, including group and individual tasks and a 1 to 1 interview.

Key information

Application deadline: 19 June 2024

Assessment and interview day: Provisionally booked 07 August 2024

Start date: 07 October 2024

Length of scheme: 22 months

Salary & Benefits

£31,100 PA

Bonus - subject to company performance

25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Life Insurance

Benenden Healthcare

Season Ticket Loan

Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support

NB: This is an office-based, home-working (hybrid) role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, 1 day per week, which might increase, subject to team requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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