Programme Manager

Programme Manager

The Medical Research Council (MRC)

Salary : £45,272 (plus £5385.00 London allowances if applicable)

Band : UKRI E

Hours : Full time (job share is available with the expectation that candidates apply with a pre-arranged job share colleague)

Contract Type : Open Ended.

Location : Swindon / London

Positions : 2

Closing Date : Friday 25th July 2025

We are recruiting two Programme Managers to join the Medical Research Council's Investigator-Led Directorate. The roles play a core part in MRC's mission to improve human health by managing a portfolio of research funding, embedded within MRC's translation group. Reporting to the Head of Theme, the Programme Managers work with administrative teams on peer review delivery and with others across MRC Head Office. The roles will support science and related policy areas. The posts will play a role in supporting our research and are part of a wider scientific Programme Manager cadre across MRC Head Office where staff move periodically between roles and directorates to expand experience and take on new challenges within MRC's core business.

You will be the knowledge-holder of the science issues relating to your area, spanning new research and policy-related issues. You will :

• Provide support and advice for grant applicants
• Be responsible for the peer review of research / training proposals
• Act as the primary interface for internal (across the MRC office and UKRI partners) and external stakeholders (e.g. researchers in the academic and commercial sectors, funding agencies, policy makers)
• Assist senior colleagues in the review of research fields and related investments, and the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and policy
• Develop and manage funding schemes and initiatives.

General Responsibilities

Programme Managers are responsible for the peer review of research funding applications, including discussing proposals with applicants; providing oversight and quality control; providing advice during the review and award process; attending Board / Panel meetings in order to answer queries; minute discussions, and take any follow-up action.

You will be the point of contact for the management of investments, which may include monitoring grant progress; considering requests for supplements or alterations to awards; and recommending action to senior colleagues.

Building close working relationships with senior colleagues, other Programme Managers and MRC office groups is a key feature of these roles, as is the development and maintenance of a broad range of working relationships within MRC, UKRI and externally.

You'll also stay on top of research and developments in relevant subject fields and be a primary source of subject matter knowledge for Head Office colleagues in these areas.

The role also includes :

Other key information

These are hybrid working roles. Successful applicants will be formally based in Swindon with some home-working flexibility in line with business needs and occasional requirement to travel to the other site when required. Overnight stays and occasional long working hours may be required. Additional, infrequent UK and European travel may also be necessary.

The roles do not generally include direct line management responsibility, but Programme Mangers will be involved in managing team working from time to time, have the opportunity to engage in mentoring activities, supporting the learning and development of MRC colleagues.

Person requirements

The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential :

Desirable :

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below :

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see :

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping / travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy / ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening / vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

Within UKRI, the MRC seeks to improve human health by investing in world-class research, from fundamental science to early clinical trials and preventive medicine. Working in partnership with other UKRI councils, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and devolved administrations, the NHS, charities and industry, we are a dynamic organisation continually evolving and embracing new opportunities to achieve our mission first framed over a century ago. With an annual budget of over £800m, MRC provides support both to individuals, through fellowships and grants, and to institutions, such as the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology and the Francis Crick Institute.

For more information about MRC, please click here