Research Manager, Early Career and Career Development Researchers

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 plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

The Early Career and Career Development Researchers team within Discovery Research at Wellcome plays a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of researchers by funding, convening, and nurturing talent across disciplines. The team leads Wellcome’s Early Career Researcher portfolio, shaping and delivering funding calls, fellowships, and developmental programmes—including support for PhD students early career and career development awardees—to strengthen research culture and promote equitable opportunities across the global research landscape.

This team’s work spans managing strategic initiatives, building relationships with internal and external partners, providing high‑quality scientific assessment, and ensuring funded researchers feel actively engaged with Wellcome’s mission. Through thoughtful coordination, expert guidance, and evidence‑driven insight, the team helps create an environment where emerging researchers can thrive and contribute to life‑changing discovery science.

In this role, you’ll help deliver Discovery Research’s early‑career priorities by coordinating and supporting key projects — from running funding calls and convening groups to drafting reports and working closely with internal and external partners. You’ll also build strong, collaborative relationships across the research community and lead on specific areas of activity, ensuring our work is cohesive, impactful and aligned with the team’s strategic objectives.

As a Research Manager, Early Career and Career Development Researchers, you will:

• Contribute to the effective delivery of Discovery Research activities — from convening groups and guiding funding decisions to preparing reports and reviews.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the breadth of Discovery Research and share knowledge to enable colleagues and cross‑organisational work.
• Build active, equitable relationships with applicants, funded researchers and internal teams to strengthen understanding of research progress, research culture and D&I across the portfolio.
• Establish and sustain effective partnerships with external stakeholders, clearly communicating Discovery Research’s work and funding initiatives.
• Lead projects through their full lifecycle, acting as a key contact, working across departments and applying matrix management where needed.
• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, collaborating with colleagues to uphold Wellcome’s values while ensuring compliance, good risk management and high‑quality outputs.

If you have a broad understanding of research gained in academia, industry, a funding agency or the charity sector, and enjoy working with a wide range of people and organisations, this role could be a great fit. You’ll thrive here if you’re skilled at communicating complex ideas clearly, managing a busy and varied workload, and building strong, credible relationships across different levels of seniority. It’s an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise in research funding and strategy while contributing to meaningful, sector‑wide impact.

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Experience of a research environment, preferably as a post-doctoral researcher
• Experience of the funding and assessment process through work with a funder or through other relevant activities

Application Questions:

Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

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. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.

Wellcome isn’t just a supporter of great ideas, it’s a great place to work. We offer excellent benefits and help our employees to develop in an open, respectful culture where differences are valued.