Research Manager, Capacity & Field Development

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We are committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

The Capacity and Field Development team is helping to catalyse a more coherent and diverse climate and health research, policy and practice community that shares values and goals, fosters creative new research, and uses this to put health at the heart of climate action. Advancing our mission will require a transdisciplinary approach that brings together researchers from different fields – together with policy and/or industry actors from relevant sectors to drive evidence-informed action.

Our approach to field building includes ensuring climate and health scientists, policy actors and affected communities are empowered through data and tools, skills development, stronger collaborations and improved access to resources. We have a particular interest in strengthening capacity for climate and health research and action in low- and middle-income countries, where the needs are greatest.

In this role, you’ll contribute to shaping the Climate & Health strategy by working with the Field Building team to convene, fund and share learning through projects such as funding calls, commissions and collaborative activities. You’ll lead and deliver a range of initiatives, build relationships with internal and external partners, and help foster opportunities that strengthen the team’s impact and work with wider research programmes.

As a Research Manager, Field Building (Climate & Health), you will:

• Deliver impactful work by contributing technical expertise across activities such as convening stakeholders, making funding decisions, and producing reports and reviews.
• Collaborate across Wellcome to share knowledge and insights from the Climate & Health portfolio, helping shape solutions and strengthen organisational understanding.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders by maintaining active relationships with grant holders, monitoring research progress and culture, and promoting diversity and inclusion across funded projects.
• Engage with external experts by selecting and working with advisors to ensure high-quality input into Climate & Health decision-making.
• Manage strategic initiatives by leading defined projects, liaising with partners, and coordinating across teams to deliver outcomes aligned with Climate & Health’s goals.
• Champion inclusive practice and accountability by fostering a diverse and collaborative culture, managing risks and budgets responsibly, and ensuring compliance with Wellcome’s policies.

You will be an ideal candidate if you bring research expertise in a field such as environmental science, climate science, meteorology or geography that is applied to a health context. This role could be a great fit if your experience is gained from academia, industry, charity or the funding sector, and you thrive in collaborative, mission driven work. You’ll use your communication and organisational skills to manage projects, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to strategic initiatives that make a real impact in Climate & Health.

Minimum Criteria:

• Able to demonstrate a breadth of research expertise and experience in a field or area relevant to Capacity and Field Development in Climate & Health through relevant work experience in an academic, industry, funding agency or charity setting.
• Experience/knowledge of universities, funders and other relevant scientific and research organisations and communities.
• Ability to employ diverse approaches to effectively communicate complex information to individuals and groups from a range of different backgrounds and different seniority levels.
• Well-developed writing skills with ability to synthesise information conveying key points clearly and concisely.
• Experience/knowledge of managing projects in an academic, charity or industry setting.

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.