Research Manager, Disease Tracking

Wellcome Trust; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellcome Trust in London is seeking a Research Manager, Infectious Disease - Epidemics and Epidemiology for a fixed-term contract to lead and manage a portfolio of awards and activities within the Infectious Disease strategy.

You will lead day-to-day project management, coordinate with researchers and international partners, and contribute to funding decisions to accelerate impactful health outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong background in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Experience in infectious disease research across academia, public health, international organisations, clinical settings or NGOs.
• Experience in pathogen genomics generally, and cholera research; TB experience is an advantage.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs on tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to synthesise complex scientific information for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of Epidemics & Epidemiology awards, acting as a key contact for grantees and overseeing delivery from setup through to completion.
• Track progress across funded and partner-led studies and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to funding decisions through technical assessment of applications and participation in review processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with researchers, international organisations, partner funders and external advisers to enable collaboration.
• Monitor project progress, risks and budgets, and provide clear updates to senior colleagues on delivery and outcomes.
• Produce briefings, situation updates and summaries, and collaborate across teams to share knowledge and deliver work to agreed standards.

Skills

Infectious disease epidemiology

Infectious disease research

Pathogen genomics

Project management

Written & verbal communication

Job description

Salary: £44,000 - £55,000

Closing date: Sunday, 6 September 2026

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – End date: late October 2027

Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 28/09 + w/c 5/10) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face: TBC

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

Wellcome’s Infectious Disease team is dedicated to tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Infectious diseases cause millions of deaths annually, disproportionately affecting the poorest communities. Our mission is to accelerate the discovery, development and optimisation of interventions that prevent and control these diseases. We focus on two critical threats: drug-resistant infections and diseases impacted by environmental change, such as arboviruses and waterborne illnesses. Through partnerships, advocacy and evidence-based action, we aim to ensure that research translates into equitable, accessible solutions for those who need them most.

We are looking for a Research Manager, Infectious Disease - Epidemics and Epidemiology to join our team on a fixed term contract.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will be working with the Research Lead within the Infectious Disease Strategic Programme.

The Epidemics & Epidemiology team advances research across epidemiology, disease surveillance, and outbreak response, strengthening the evidence base to inform intervention strategies and policy for a range of infectious diseases.

This fixed-term role provides continuity across existing pathogen genomics and cholera projects within the Epidemics & Epidemiology portfolio, including coordination with international partners and tracking research progress. You will also contribute to Wellcome’s outbreak response work. You will join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of research funding, outbreak response, and global health policy.

What will I be doing?

In this role, you will deliver and manage projects aligned to the Epidemics & Epidemiology team’s work across funding, convening, and knowledge sharing within the Infectious Disease strategy. You will lead day-to-day project management for a portfolio of existing awards and activities. You will work closely with colleagues across the Infectious Disease programme and external partners to ensure research is well coordinated, effectively delivered, and achieves impact.

As a Research Manager, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of Epidemics & Epidemiology awards, acting as a key contact for grantees and overseeing delivery from setup through to completion.

• Drive research activities by tracking progress across funded and partner-led studies and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to funding decisions through technical assessment of applications and participation in review processes.

• Build and maintain relationships with researchers, international organisations, partner funders and external advisers to enable collaboration.

• Monitor project progress, risks and budgets, and provide clear updates to senior colleagues on delivery and outcomes.

• Produce briefings, situation updates and summaries, and collaborate across teams to share knowledge and deliver work to agreed standards.

Is this job for me?

This role is well suited to someone with a strong background in infectious disease epidemiology who is looking to apply their expertise in a research funding and strategy environment. You may have gained experience in academia, public health agencies, international organisations, NGOs, or clinical settings. You will be comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously, synthesising complex scientific evidence for different audiences, and building credibility with researchers and partners.

Minimum Criteria:

• Have a strong background in infectious disease epidemiology, or a closely related discipline

• Experience in infectious disease research, gained through work in academia, public health, international organisations, clinical settings, or non-governmental organisations

• Experience in pathogen genomics generally, and cholera research; experience of tuberculosis research would also be an advantage

• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines with limited supervision

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex scientific information clearly and concisely for different audiences

Applications Questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description (Up to 500 words).

• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 350 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

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.

At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (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

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 [e-mail].