Research Programme Manager

CANCER RESEARCH UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare charity in the UK seeks a Research Programme Manager to drive strategic initiatives and funding for early detection research. The successful candidate will lead funding opportunities, manage partnerships, and provide guidance to researchers. Key skills include a solid science background, experience in research management, and strong interpersonal abilities. This full-time position offers a competitive salary between £46,000 and £54,000 and the chance to make an impact in the cancer research community.

Benefits

Generous benefits package

Career development opportunities

Work-life balance support

Qualifications

• Significant research or research-related experience in academic, NHS, or research funding/management.
• Understanding of the research landscape and its challenges.
• In-depth knowledge of biomedical or life sciences research, preferably in cancer.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of strategic funding opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with CRUK scientists and stakeholders.
• Gather insights from strategic analysis to recommend research strategy.

Skills

Strong science background

Interpersonal and communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Project management capabilities

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Research Programme Manager

£46,000 - £54,000 (depending on experience) plus benefits

Reports to: Head of Prevention & Early Detection Research

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London - Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office) There will also be occasional travel across the UK and internationally.

Closing date: 11 January 2026 23:55

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Recruitment process: Competency based interview.

Interview date: Week commencing 26th January 2026.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We're looking for a talented Research Programme Manager to drive forward strategic initiatives and funding support for Early Detection and Diagnosis research. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this priority area for CRUK.

In this role, you will lead the development and implementation of strategic funding opportunities, provide expert advice and guidance to researchers, and manage Cancer Research UK's Early Detection and Diagnosis research portfolio.

You'll also work closely with our funding committees and Scientific Executive Board, ensuring processes run smoothly and align with our strategic objectives. Building strong relationships with stakeholders will be key to your success as you help drive forward life-saving research.

What will I be doing?

• Provide a strategic interface with the cancer research community across Early Detection & Diagnosis (EDD)
• Build and maintain strong external relationships with a network of CRUK scientists, clinicians and senior stakeholders in leading cancer research centres and elsewhere. Assist with complex scientific queries relating to CRUK research strategy, scientific collaboration and funding.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the relevant research landscape, gathering insights from strategic analysis, and making recommendations to drive the development and delivery of CRUK's research strategy.
• Work with external academics and clinicians, promoting opportunities that may help develop and shape their research plans, introducing new connections where appropriate and spreading awareness of the range of opportunities offered by CRUK, influencing activity towards CRUK's strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities for increased collaboration across or outside the current network, including with other organisations, to accelerate progress;
• Devise and deliver networking meetings, conferences and other activities applicable to the team as required, representing CRUK externally with appropriate credibility.
• For major CRUK-funded projects and infrastructural investments, keep abreast of their scientific developments and major outputs, providing advice and actively facilitating issue resolution where progress is slower than anticipated.
• Act as the CRUK representative on Steering Committees as required to report on developments and ensure funded award programmes achieve key deliverables.

What are we looking for?

• Strong science background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (preferably with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent work experience)
• Significant research or research-related experience, for example in an academic, NHS, industrial research and/or research funding/management or publishing setting,
• Demonstrable understanding of the research landscape, its challenges and opportunities.
• Experience and/or in-depth knowledge of biomedical or life sciences research, preferably in cancer or a relevant or related area.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to accuracy and attention to detail, with demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills and an ability to manage ambiguity.
• Proven ability to form strong, positive collaborative relationships at all levels of seniority both internally & externally.
• Experience of planning, managing and delivering strategic and policy projects; ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and to support others to do so, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.
• Willingness to travel within the UK, and internationally, as required.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us.

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