Programme Manager in White City

The Billerbeck Lab in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London has an open position for a Programme Manager for the Horizon Europe funded Innovation Action AIR2FOOD. AIR2FOOD will establish Europe’s first integrated ecosystem for gas-based precision fermentation, turning CO₂ into high-value food ingredients using genetically engineered microorganisms. The Billerbeck Lab is part of the Imperial Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, a leading food innovation hub for research and translation.

As Programme Manager, you will ensure that research activities run smoothly, milestones are delivered on time, and that financial reporting is in place, both internally and towards the funder. You will engage and coordinate a broad network of stakeholders, organising meetings, conferences, and dissemination activities to keep all parties informed and the project moving forward. Working closely with external Principal Investigators (PIs) across multiple Work Packages (WPs), you will also collaborate with internal teams including the Imperial post-award team, the Department of Bioengineering, and the Imperial Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein.

This is a varied role that combines scientific programme coordination, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and event organisation, all in support of research with the potential to transform how we produce sustainable proteins. We are looking for a driven, highly organised, and people-oriented professional who thrives in complex, collaborative environments.

You will bring experience in project and/or programme management, with the confidence to coordinate across a diverse network of scientists, institutional teams, and external stakeholders. You are an exceptional communicator, equally comfortable writing a funder report, chairing a consortium meeting, or building relationships with international partners. You are self-directed, detail-focused, and able to juggle multiple priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture. Above all, you are passionate about making research happen and take pride in delivering outcomes to the highest standard.

Requirements:

• A degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent level of professional experience.
• Experience in project or programme management, coordinating internal and/or external activities to meet deadlines.
• Experience of managing people and influencing the successful delivery of outputs, including engaging and directing complex groups of stakeholders and suppliers.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of people.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue or develop your programme management career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Sector‑leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle‑to‑work scheme.

This is a full‑time (35 hours), fixed‑term post for 36 months, with the possibility of an extension, and is expected to start 1st September 2026. For further information on the post, please contact Dr Sonja Billerbeck (s.billerbeck@imperial.ac.uk).