Programme Lead for Experimental Medicine, Research Infrastructure NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)•Twickenham, England, United Kingdom

The NIHR is funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and was established with the aim of creating a health and care research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world class facilities, conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The NIHR Research Infrastructure provides a platform to enable research by creating an environment where early stage and applied research can thrive.

Our Research Infrastructure consists of research expertise, specialist facilities, a research delivery workforce and support services. The NIHR invests more than £606 million a year of infrastructure funding through a number of different five-year infrastructure funding schemes.

Job Description

We are looking to recruit an experienced, inquisitive and motivating Programme Lead to provide leadership to a team managing a portfolio of high profile National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) experimental medicine research infrastructure funding schemes.

Job Purpose

The Programme Lead will provide leadership for the end-to-end grants and research management of NIHR’s experimental medicine research infrastructure portfolio, which includes the flagship Biomedical Research Centres, the Clinical Research Facilities, the Commercial Research Delivery Centres, the HealthTech Research Centres and others. The postholder will lead work to drive the evolution of the experimental medicine portfolio and shape its future direction. In addition, they will play a key role in NIHR’s interaction with the experimental medicine community and will work closely with senior colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care.

The Programme Lead will report to the Assistant Director of Research Infrastructure, will have responsibility for the activities of a team of Senior Research Managers and Research Managers, and will work closely with the broader Infrastructure team.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and develop the experimental medicine research infrastructure portfolio, identifying gaps, opportunities and impact
• Review and evaluate funding schemes, providing strategic recommendations for future calls
• Represent schemes across the health and care research landscape, enhancing collaboration and visibility with DHSC, NIHR and partners
• Manage research commissioning, including competitions, guidance, panel organization and applicant feedback
• Deliver new priority funding calls, establishing assessment and monitoring processes
• Oversee contracts, reporting, and risk, including FOI and ministerial requests
• Lead and develop a team of six, promoting efficiency and collaboration
• Build stakeholder relationships and support cross infrastructure collaboration
• Provide flexible support across NIHR projects and working groups

Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills

Required Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent) in biomedical or health sciences, or significant relevant sector experience
• Proven experience managing research funding in academic, clinical, industrial, funding body or charity settings
• Experience in line management, staff development and workload planning
• Strong project planning and prioritisation skills, able to manage multiple deadlines
• Understanding of strategic health and care research funding, particularly experimental medicine

Desired Criteria

• Understanding of research impact and how monitor and measure it

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Contract Type: Full Time, 12 months fixed term contract

Employee Benefits Include

Annual bonus, subject to company performance

Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme

Life Insurance Cover

Benenden Healthcare Membership

Training and Development Opportunities

Season Ticket Loan

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office-based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, usually worked as 1 day per week, and may increase, subject to team requirements.

How to Apply

If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a \'Statement of Suitability\' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the \'Required Criteria\' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the LGC Group.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 12th January 2026.

Inclusion and Diversity

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership.