Research Programme Manager

Join to apply for the Research Programme Manager role at Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

£46,000 - £54,000 (depending on experience) Plus Benefits

Reports to: Head of Prevention & Early Detection Research
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London – Office-based with high flexibility (1–2 days per week in the office) with occasional travel across the UK and internationally.
Closing date: 11 January 2026 23:55
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. CRUK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment process: Competency based interview
Interview date: Week commencing 26th January 2026

• Provide a strategic interface with the cancer research community across Early Detection & Diagnosis (EDD).
• Build and maintain strong external relationships with a network of CRUK scientists, clinicians and senior stakeholders in leading cancer research centres and elsewhere; assist with complex scientific queries relating to CRUK research strategy, scientific collaboration and funding.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the relevant research landscape, gathering insights from strategic analysis, and making recommendations to drive the development and delivery of CRUK’s research strategy.
• Work with external academics and clinicians, promoting opportunities that may help develop and shape their research plans, introducing new connections where appropriate and spreading awareness of the range of opportunities offered by CRUK, influencing activity towards CRUK’s strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities for increased collaboration across or outside the current network, including with other organisations, to accelerate progress.
• Devise and deliver networking meetings, conferences and other activities applicable to the team as required, representing CRUK externally with appropriate credibility.
• For major CRUK‑funded projects and infrastructural investments, keep abreast of their scientific developments and major outputs, providing advice and actively facilitating issue resolution where progress is slower than anticipated.
• Act as the CRUK representative on Steering Committees as required to report on developments and ensure funded award programmes achieve key deliverables.

• Strong science background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (preferably with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent work experience).
• Significant research or research‑related experience, for example in an academic, NHS, industrial research and/or research funding/management or publishing setting.
• Demonstrable understanding of the research landscape, its challenges and opportunities.
• Experience and/or in‑depth knowledge of biomedical or life sciences research, preferably in cancer or a relevant related area.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to accuracy and attention to detail, with demonstrable analytical and problem‑solving skills and an ability to manage ambiguity.
• Proven ability to form strong, positive collaborative relationships at all levels of seniority both internally & externally.
• Experience of planning, managing and delivering strategic and policy projects; ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and to support others to do so, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.
• Willingness to travel within the UK, and internationally, as required.

• Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination.
• Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism.
• Human: Act to have a positive impact on people.
• Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively.

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all…