Senior Research Manager

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) is the UK’s leading dementia research charity dedicated to diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by our passionate scientists and supporters, we’re challenging the way people think about dementia, bringing together the people and organisations who can speed up progress, and investing in research to strive for a cure.

The Senior Research Manager will work closely with the Head of Research Funding, leading a team focussed on research culture and engagement, as well as managing our scientific portfolio. This role is vital in advancing ARUK's research objectives and promoting engagement within with ARUK-funded research community. They will be working collaboratively with the Research Team and with other teams at Alzheimer’s Research UK, including the Events Team, Science Communications team and Philanthropy teams.

This role sits within the Research Funding team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, supportive and friendly team that funds the best research to transform the lives of people affected by all forms of dementia.  We’re looking for someone with strong research management experience, a good eye for detail and who is excited by the opportunities in the dementia research landscape

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Scientific programme management

·         Build and maintain strong external relationships with a network of ARUK scientists, clinicians, and senior stakeholders across the UK. 

·         Monitor progress and outputs of ARUK funded projects, supporting our Science Communication team to share progress on our funded research

·         Using knowledge of funded research, work with the Strategic Programmes team to help evaluate the impact of funding in addressing ARUK research priorities. 

·         Gain a thorough understanding of the dementia research landscape, working with the wider Research team to make recommendations to drive the development and delivery of ARUK’s research strategy

Research culture and Early Career Researcher strategy

·         Design and lead a strategic programme aimed at fostering a positive research culture and supporting the development of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) within the dementia research field, including:

-          Developing and implementing an ECR strategy that provides resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities for emerging researchers in dementia.

-          Identifying and championing initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the research community.

-          Establishing frameworks and activities that promote collaboration, transparency, and ethical research conduct across Alzheimer’s Research UK-funded projects.

Research community engagement

·         Develop an approach to grow engagement with researchers and strengthen connections with the wider research community

·         Support the Research Engagement Manager and wider teams to deliver activities within the strategy to promote awareness and collaboration, produce impactful resources, to drive impactful scientific progress.

·         Lead the advancement of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s flagship research conference, ensuring the programme reflects the latest scientific advances and strategic priorities. and elevates Alzheimer’s Research UK’s visibility and influence in the dementia research field.

Management Responsibilities:

·         Line management of a Research Officer and Research Manager, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives

·         Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised

What we are looking for:

·         Strong science background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (preferably with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent work experience)

·         Experience and/or in-depth knowledge of biomedical or life sciences research, preferably in a relevant or related area 

·         Proven ability of planning, managing and delivering projects; ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.

·         Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, with experience of building and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.

·         Experience of developing and delivering strategies, ability to spot opportunities and translate these into operational plans, thinking beyond the immediate issue to look at broader topics or themes.

·         A team player who can collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders internally and externally to deliver

·         Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences

·         Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

·         Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement

·         Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise competing demands

·         Ability to work independently

·         Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 1st December 2024, with interviews likely to be held the 9th & 10th December 2024. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK:

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK