Science Manager, Population Health Sciences Salary: £36,650 per annum Band: UKRI Band D Team: Infrastructure and Population Health Sciences team, Medical Research Council Hours: Full time. Contract Type: Open Ended. Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - hybrid working available. Closing Date: 20th July 2025 We are seeking a Science Manager to support programmes and activities related to Population Health Sciences as well as provide support to the wider Infrastructure team at MRC. The role will involve providing Secretariat support for the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP), a £55m multi-funder partnership aimed at the primary prevention of non-communicable diseases. Reporting to the UKPRP Programme Manager, you will help to deliver the key objectives of the initiative and will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the partnership. You will also support key MRC and UKRI investments such as Population Research UK and the Population Health Improvement initiative as well as contributing to the development of MRC strategy for population studies and prevention research. Key Areas of Accountability Leadership / teamwork / collaboration You will work with the UKPRP Programme Manager and colleagues within the Population Health Sciences and Infrastructure team at MRC. The role requires strong collaboration with and coordination of external stakeholders including the twelve UKPRP funding organisations, national and international experts, and funded research teams. Teamwork is essential to the role but you will also be required to work independently on a day-to-day basis to progress projects and report back to your line manager and the wider team. Delivery / programmes / projects / process You will run the UKPRP Secretariat to deliver the programme, including organising monthly project board meetings, and twice-yearly funder meetings and Scientific Advisory Board meetings. Your work will support the research and impact activities of UKPRP, including delivery of future funding calls. You will provide support, including organising management and oversight meetings, for MRC and UKRI investments such as Population Research UK and Population Health Improvement, and assist with internal activities, including producing landscape reviews and compiling reports from research data, to shape strategy for longitudinal population studies and prevention research. Responsibilities Oversee and maintain an overarching project plan, to ensure that progress is monitored and reported in a timely manner, and that issues regarding delivery are escalated to the Programme Board (or equivalent) for resolution. Assist the Programme Manager in preparation of papers, background briefs, reports and other material on related matters for the Programme Board, Funders Executive Group and/or senior staff at UKRI. Support the administration and delivery of calls for proposals, for example tracking the peer review process and delivering funding panel meetings, and monitoring progress of grants provided as part of the programme. Support stakeholder engagement activities for the population health sciences team. Work with MRC finance staff on the financial management of the initiative including managing the profile of costs and ensuring the planned budget profile reflects the practical delivery plans. Support delivery of the communications activities, including maintenance of the website and disseminating key messages about the initiative and funding calls to the research community. Identify opportunities to promote the achievements of the initiative. Support workshops and other networking activities. Person Specification The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I) Essential First degree (or equivalent experience) in a biomedical, life or physical science discipline. (S) Experience of working directly and achieving results with a wide range of stakeholders. (S&I) Understanding and application of appropriate project management tools and other software packages including Office suites, AI and data analysis. (S&I) Good analytical ability, encompassing critical thinking, evaluation, decision making and problem-solving skills. (I) Ability to identify strategic objectives and their implications and make adaptations to ensure project delivery and impact. (I) Ability to communicate clearly - both orally and written, across a range of issues. (I) Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships. (I) Highly organised, with good time management skills and a flexible approach, able to juggle priorities. (I) Has integrity and takes personal responsibility. (I) Committed to self and organisational improvement. (I) Desirable MSC or PhD in biomedical, life or physical science and/or training in project management. (S) Experience of planning, managing and delivering strategic and/or policy projects within a public sector or academic environment. (S&I) Experience of research or research funding. (S) Experience representing your organisation to external stakeholders. (S&I) Ability to positively advocate for biomedical research and UKRI. (I) Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below: An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme. 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent). Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities. Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice. Flexible working options. Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance! For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. 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. Within UKRI, the MRC seeks to improve human health by investing in world-class research, from fundamental science to early clinical trials and preventive medicine. Working in partnership with other UKRI councils, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and devolved administrations, the NHS, charities and industry, we are a dynamic organisation continually evolving and embracing new opportunities to achieve our mission first framed over a century ago. With an annual budget of over £800m, MRC provides support both to individuals, through fellowships and grants, and to institutions, such as the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology and the Francis Crick Institute. For more information about MRC, please click here