Translational Partnerships Specialist

• Role duration: Permanent (37.5 hours per week)
• What this role is about

Too much good science stalls before it reaches patients, and rarely for want of ambition.

It stalls because the people and organisations needed to move promising research forward are not always aligned early enough: researchers, funders, the NHS, industry, regulators, investors and charities may each hold part of the solution, but not always a shared plan for delivery.

The Academy is well placed to change that.

Its independence means partners trust it to act for patients rather than for any one institution.

Its Fellowship reaches into every discipline and it can convene people who rarely share the same room.

The Translation Catalyst Programme is how the Academy turns that position into action, and this role leads it. It is about building the operating system around UK science the alignment and shared infrastructure that let research succeed and, over time, a national asset.

It is a building role as much as a delivery one.

The function is new, its scale is not fixed in advance, and much of the job is bringing in the partners and external funding from industry, venture capital, research councils, health charities and others that will decide how far and how fast it can go. Success here is measured by what changes in the system, not by what the Academy announces.

The Translational Partnerships Specialist will help turn the Academy's convening power into practical partnership activity that supports research translation.

Reporting to the Translational Partnerships Lead, this role manages a defined area of work, project or specialist portfolio where coordinated action could help the UK build translational advantage, such as genomic and precision medicine, advanced therapies, clinical trials innovation, health data and AI, or other priorities identified with Fellows and partners.

You will support analysis, develop delivery plans, coordinate partner input, manage risks and issues within your remit, and provide accurate advice and reporting to senior colleagues.

You will work at the interface of biomedical science, policy, programme delivery and stakeholder engagement.

The role requires strong professional experience of the UK research and health system, sound analytical and problem solving skills, and the ability to apply specialist knowledge to practical organisational challenges.

The role combines partnership development with practical delivery, ensuring that opportunities are well evidenced, well governed and aligned with the Academy's charitable purpose and wider organisational priorities.

• What you will be doing Managing a defined portfolio
• Manage a defined portfolio of translational activity with research and health system partners, ensuring workstreams are delivered to agreed quality, timescales and allocated resources.
• Manage day to day delivery, risks and issues across your area of work, escalating decisions and dependencies to your line manager where appropriate.
• Set and manage work priorities for yourself and, where relevant, others, contributing to effective team delivery within agreed objectives and governance frameworks.
• Convening the system to close translational gaps
• Coordinate deep dives, workshops and round tables into defined areas where the UK can build advantage, supporting evidence gathering and structured analysis of translational barriers.
• Work with partners and Academy colleagues to develop practical solutions and commitments, turning analysis into deliverable actions that can be monitored and reported.
• Use evidence and insight to contribute to discussions with government, funders, Fellows, regulators, industry, charities and the wider research community.
• Bridging discovery to development
• Provide specialist input to the design and development of Academy interventions that help promising science move from discovery towards development, including partnership propositions, pilot activity or programme models.
• Work closely with the Grants and Programmes team so that new schemes are deliverable, well governed and aligned with the Academy's wider programme portfolio.
• Provide accurate, well reasoned specialist advice on translational pathways, stakeholder needs and delivery risks, helping senior managers and Heads make informed decisions.
• Developing translational pathways in collaboration
• Build and maintain effective relationships with partners across the health and research system, identifying opportunities where Academy convening and expertise can add value.
• Develop and support practical mechanisms for collaboration, such as workshops, roundtables or partnership propositions, working closely with Academy colleagues.
• Help shape programmes that connect scientific opportunity with development, adoption or commercial pathways, drawing on Fellows and external expertise as appropriate.
• Synthesise evidence from a range of sources to identify gaps and define options for practical solutions, ensuring risks, benefits and governance implications are clearly understood.
• Protect the Academy's independence by ensuring partnerships are transparent, well governed and consistent with the Academy's charitable purpose.
• Building partnerships and funding
• Contribute to partnerships that bring in external capability and insight, including from industry, public funders, research charities, regulators and healthcare provider organisations.
• Support partner engagement with judgement, pace, professionalism and care, helping to secure realistic commitments and shared ownership within agreed objectives and governance.
• Provide regular reporting on progress, risks, issues and resources to the Director of Translation and Enterprise, escalating where appropriate.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Academy so that partnership work supports team, Directorate and wider organisational priorities.
• Closing date for applications is 2 August 2026 at 12.00
• Interviews will likely be held between 10 August 2026 and 21 August 2026
• 1. Strong experience in research translation

Strong professional experience in a relevant area such as biomedical science, policy, programme delivery, grants management, stakeholder engagement, translational research or life sciences innovation.

You will understand how promising research moves towards development, adoption or commercial application, and common barriers that can affect progress.

2. Sound analytical and problem solving skills

The ability to synthesise evidence, interpret varied and sometimes novel issues, applying judgement, experience and evidence to develop practical solutions.

You will be able to provide accurate, well reasoned advice that senior managers can rely on when making decisions.

3. Credibility with external partners

Credibility with stakeholders in the UK research, science, health, policy or life sciences environment.

You will be able to contribute evidence and insight to discussions with funders, partners, collaborators, Fellows, industry, charities or the wider health system, including multi organisation or international initiatives where appropriate.

4. Partnership development and delivery

Experience of supporting or managing partnerships and turning shared ambition into deliverable plans.

You will be comfortable managing expectations, identifying risks and dependencies, maintaining momentum and working within established frameworks, precedents and guidance.

5. Delivery, resources and risk management

Experience managing a defined area of work, project or specialist function to agreed quality, timescales and resources.

You may have experience managing staff, specialist projects or delegated budgets, though direct line management is not required.

6. Autonomy, collaboration and organisational awareness

The ability to operate with a good level of autonomy within clearly defined objectives, priorities and governance frameworks.

You will set and manage priorities for yourself and, where relevant, others; self initiate activity that supports team or Directorate goals; understand the strategy for your area; and seek guidance or escalation where appropriate.

We offer a competitive and evolving benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance, including:

• Competitive salary and pension
• 26 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell annual leave
• Additional paid closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Health, wellbeing and employee support programmes
• Cycle to work scheme and everyday benefits
• Structured learning and development
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Enhanced occupational sick pay.
• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you've completed your probation period