Research Manager

University of Exeter; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed higher education institution in Exeter is seeking a Research Manager to support researchers accessing health data for projects. This role offers hybrid working, with responsibilities including project triaging and stakeholder engagement. The institution is committed to improving health research access, providing ample opportunities for professional growth, and fostering a supportive work environment. With a competitive salary starting from £43,482, candidates are encouraged to apply before 2 December 2025.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

41 days annual leave

Inclusive organisation policies

Wellbeing initiatives

Onsite gyms and cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of managing research projects, ideally in health or a related field.
• Ability to work professionally and effectively across diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable with independent and collaborative work in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for researchers on health data projects.
• Triage projects and manage workflows for the SWSDE.
• Identify and design process improvements as the programme scales.

Skills

Experience managing research projects

Stakeholder engagement

Self-motivated

Education

Relevant degree in health or related field

Job description

Research Division

This full-time role is available initially on a fixed-term basis for 18 months, but may be extended subject to additional external funding. This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home. We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

About you

You have experience of managing research projects, ideally in health or a related field. You enjoy working with a range of stakeholders, and across multiple projects and activities.

Although an awareness of NHS structures and priorities is welcomed, it’s more important that you are self-motivated, you are curious and you want to make a difference. You’re excited by the significant potential for improving access to health data for research and motivated by the opportunity to contribute to this dynamic and ambitious programme across our region and nationally.

You’re comfortable working independently as part of a busy, supportive team. You are able to work professionally and effectively across a complex and dynamic ecosystem, building trusted and effective relationships to achieve the programme’s aims.

About the role

The Research Manager role will belong to a new cluster of roles homed at the University of Exeter that will support researchers to successfully access the SWSDE for health data research projects. The RM will act as the first point of contact for researchers, and will work closely with regional NHS data contributors, the wider SWSDE team, and University of Exeter Professional Services to ensure researchers are given clear and timely information about how the SWSDE can support their planned research.

The role will primarily focus on triaging projects and managing workflows for the SWSDE, and you will be encouraged to identify and design process improvements as the programme scales. You’ll be encouraged to share your detailed understanding of researcher priorities across other SWSDE workstreams (including communications, technical, operational, Information Governance) to ensure the programme continues to seamlessly meet the needs of all users.

The SWSDE is an exciting new programme with huge ambition. This role will be a key part of the team, providing detailed insight into the user experience and helping to position the SWSDE as a platform for high-impact, data-driven research.

The role will include (expenses paid) travel across the South West region, including regular travel to Bristol and occasional travel for national events, including overnight trips.

About The SWSDE

The NHS South West Secure Data Environment (SWSDE) is part of a national programme developing secure infrastructure for research that requires access to sensitive health data. The SWSDE aims to provide faster, fairer and safer access to health and care data from the South West for research. To achieve this, the programme will create a secure environment to store and link together regional health and care data from primary care, acute, community, social care and multi-modal sources.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Why our staff love working here

• Flexible working opportunities
• 41 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Actively inclusive organisation ensuring equality and fairness for all
• Sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• Multiple wellbeing and health initiatives for staff
• Onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do
• Beautiful campus environment when working from either Exeter or Penryn
• Inspiring research that really makes a difference to the world

Further information

Please contact Chrissie Walker, Senior Research Manager, for more details: [e-mail]

The starting salary will be from £43,482 on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 2 December 2025.

We intend to hold online interviews on the afternoon of Wednesday 10th December.