At a Glance
- Tasks: Support research managers in developing and managing the Arthritis UK research portfolio.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to improving lives affected by arthritis.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, health support, generous leave, and a strong pension plan.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in medical research and help shape impactful projects.
- Qualifications: A scientific degree or equivalent experience in medical research is essential.
The predicted salary is between 33698 - 33698 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: 33,698 per annum (London), 30,635 per annum (rest of UK)
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer
Contract type: Permanent
Travel: Some travel may be required within the UK
Closing date: 23:59 hours, Wednesday 29 July 2026
Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with research experience to work within a team of experts in research strategy development, research delivery and research policy, to communicate the outputs of our research funding to diverse stakeholders across the charity.
About the role
You will work within a dynamic and friendly team to help support our Research Programme Managers to develop and manage the Arthritis UK research portfolio. This will include collating and monitoring data from diverse sources to help provide oversight of our funded research. You will also work closely with other colleagues to translate our research outputs into a format that is clear and impactful to help teams across the charity achieve their strategic objectives. You will work across a diverse range of projects and will liaise with a wide range of teams from across the charity to help us to tell the story of our research investment.
About you
- A scientific degree or equivalent level of experience in medical research via the charity, commercial, health, higher education or publishing sectors.
- High-quality verbal and written communication skills including being able to communicate complex information and requirements to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.
- A flexible and collaborative approach: able to work closely and adaptively with immediate team and collaboratively across the organisation.
- Good information technology skills, including effective database/PubMed/internet search techniques and significant experience of using Microsoft Office Packages.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines independently, including rapid turnaround requests.
- Experience in a medical research environment.
- Knowledge or experience of the research application, award and monitoring process.
*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.
Benefits
- Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
- Health and wellbeing support including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
- Simplyhealth cash plan.
- Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
- Learning and personal development opportunities.
- Employee supported volunteering.
- Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
- Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
- Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).
How to apply
You must be based in and hold the right to work in the UK to apply for this position. To apply you MUST submit: a concise, up-to-date CV along with an Application form demonstrating how you meet the key requirements set out in the job description and person specification for the Research Portfolio Officer role. All sections of the application form must be fully completed. Email both documents as Word or PDF attachments by 23:59 hours, Wednesday 29 July 2026.
If you have a health condition that prevents you from following the steps above, please email us regarding alternative ways to apply.
Application deadline and shortlisting
We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.
Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Arthritis UK where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers.
Interview
Interviews expected: Tuesday 18th August 2026 on Microsoft Teams. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.
About us
We have made a commitment in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to increase the diversity of our charity and we welcome candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We want our employees, volunteers and trustees to represent the broad diversity of the communities of which we are a part. There are over 10 million people living with arthritis. That's one in six, with over half of those living in pain every single day. The impact is huge as the condition slowly intrudes on everyday life affecting the ability to work, care for a family, to move free from pain and to live independently. Yet arthritis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing or shrugged off as just a bit of arthritis. We don't think that this is OK. Arthritis UK is here to change that.
Arthritis UK is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. During the recruitment process we will undertake safer recruitment practices and relevant checks to ensure applicants are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Read more about working for us.
Animal Research
We are committed to developing new treatments for arthritis. To achieve this, we fund a broad range of medical research, and this includes research which uses animals. For further information, please see Animal Research Policy.
Arthritis UK is a Registered Charity No: and in Scotland No. SC.
Research Portfolio Officer - Hybrid - London/Sheffield employer: Arthritis UK
ARTHRITIS UK is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by arthritis. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, alongside flexible hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Join us to contribute to vital health information while enjoying opportunities for professional development in a purpose-driven environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Portfolio Officer - Hybrid - London/Sheffield
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Arthritis UK, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Arthritis UK. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Portfolio Officer - Hybrid - London/Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Arthritis UK. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Arthritis UK. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arthritis UK
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Arthritis UK. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Arthritis UK to drive research projects forward.
