View Vacancy Executive Assistant LMS 2778 Open Date 10/02/2026, 14:00 Close Date 08/03/2026, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y Research Institute / Unit Information This role supports the LMS Director and Head of Operations in providing administrative support for all aspects of their work. This is a key role providing vital support, often working autonomously, using creative problem-solving skills in novel situations. Working Relationships The post holder will work closely with, and be directly responsible to the Director and Head of Operations and will act as a link with LMS Administration and Imperial College London. The post holder will also have regular contact with Programme Leaders and Operational staff across the Institute. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC - 4 Location London Salary £42,932 - £46,306 per annum inclusive of London Allowance Contract Type Permanent Job Type Administration & Management Full Time / Part Time Full Time Job Description Main Duties: Management of the Director's and Head of Operation's diaries; proactively managing their schedules to optimise time usage. This includes independently resolving complex diary clashes and prioritising high-level engagement without constant supervision. Helping with the Director's diary to accommodate a balance between scientific research activities and strategic commitments in the LMS and the wider MRC/UKRI Liaison with internal and external contacts at all levels, including acting as the first point of call for internal and external visitors for the Director and Head of Operations Anticipate needs by providing appropriate paperwork documents (agendas, speaker bios and background documents) well in advance of all meetings, attaching documents to electronic diaries Monitoring of the Director's research grants, budgets and expenditure and helping with arrangements during senior recruitments. Maintaining and updating information to brief the Director on all aspects of management of external funding for their group Drafting and preparing correspondence, proof reading and editing letters and documents Management of the Director's and Director's group members and visiting collaborators travel arrangements, including booking travel and hotels, producing itineraries and processing expense reimbursements Organising meetings and LMS seminars, including internal logistics such as catering and AV, alongside inviting external speakers, managing travel, expenses and coordinating schedule Handling enquiries, taking messages and relaying appropriately, referring to appropriate staff where required If needed, provide administrative support to the wider SLT, including the Entrepreneur-in-Residence and the two Deputy Directors Liaising with attendees of internal LMS Group Head meetings ensuring agendas are prepared and disseminated in good time and writing timely and accurate minutes where appropriate and ensuring actions are completed in a timely fashion Keeping the Director informed of day-to-day developments and urgent matters while they are away from the office Acting as director's delegate for administrative approvals, including the oversight of annual leave request and staff expenses for the director's group and wider institute members Maintain confidentiality and high security standards regarding sensitive institutional information Any other duties as deemed job-related by the Director and/or Head of Operations Person Specification Education / qualifications / training required (will be assessed from the application form) : Essential: Education to at least A Level standard Previous work experience required ( will be assessed from the application form and at the interview): Essential: Significant experience as a PA/administrator to an executive position, preferably in a similar role Experience in the academic or public sector Desirable: Experience in a scientific environment Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview): Computer skills Essential: Experience with word processing, databases, spreadsheets and electronic diaries Desirable: Experience with graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint or Canva Organisation and project management skills Essential: Ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks and activities to achieve clearly defined objectives and hit deadlines Experience of arranging meetings and larger events such as conferences Experience of diary management and scheduling Personal skills / behaviours / qualities (will be assessed at the interview): Essential: Good time management skills and an ability to deal with constant interruptions and alterations to daily priorities Ability to grasp issues and react to problems that arise Experience of working independently and taking responsibility for own work with limited supervision Effective team member willing to contribute, but respectful of the roles and experience of others Excellent written and oral communication skills Confident and at ease in dealing with a wide variety of people at all levels. Diligent with good attention to detail Professional manner showing tact, diplomacy and discretion Desirable: Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development Further Information Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2778. Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.