The role sits within the Research, Evidence and Policy Department. The team is responsible for all aspects of our AMRC accredited research funding portfolio; provision of guidelines and tools for health professionals; sharing latest knowledge about the diseases to a wide range of stakeholders including professionals and public; ensuring MRF’s policies on the best ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the diseases are evidence-based; and contributing to programmes of work associated with the WHO Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.
Core Purpose
The purpose of this role is to maintain and manage the charity’s research grants programme, including co-ordinating processes to support the funding of new research and ensuring that research findings are appropriately disseminated.
The post holder will also be responsible for supporting the organisation and delivery of MRF’s programme of conferences, symposia and virtual events; supporting MRF’s work associated with the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030; and supporting the Research, Evidence and Policy department to produce and maintain accurate information on meningitis and septicaemia.
This role requires excellent administrative skills, high attention to detail, and an ability to quickly develop a comprehensive understanding of meningitis and septicaemia.
Reports to
Head of Research
Responsibilities
Research administration
· Support Head of Research in development of new Research Strategy aligned to MRF’s Organisational strategy.
· Enable the selection of new research projects by
o processing grant applications
o identifying peer reviewers
o co-ordinating the peer review process
o liaising with the Scientific Advisory Panel and external referees, organising meetings (in-person and virtual), preparing meeting papers, attending meetings, writing minutes, communicating Panel recommendations to applicants and referees, and preparing grant award letters
· Monitor progress of research projects: request annual reports and circulate to designated Panel members, act on outcomes of annual review of progress in consultation with Head of Research
· Ensure that grant information, forms and procedures are continually reviewed and updated to comply with best practice, suggest improvements and implement any necessary changes in line with the new research strategy
· Liaise with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and ensure compliance with their membership regulations (including the annual data collection and peer review audit every five years) and statement of best practice.
· Develop and maintain databases and spreadsheets containing the charity’s research management information, grant review process and lists of contacts.
· Maintain the Research Impact Matrix to ensure that the outputs of MRF funded research are captured and shared
Research dissemination
· Work with the charity’s Communications team and Principal Investigators on research news releases and other communication about Foundation-funded and relevant external research, and initiatives. Write about research and related health information for the charity’s website and for electronic communications as appropriate.
· Keep briefing sheets and the charity’s website up-to-date with information on charity research projects.
· Keep abreast of general research developments and publications, and respond to enquiries from researchers, members and supporters and the general public.
· Develop and input in to reports for funders (including trusts, the pharmaceutical industry and high value independent donors), to demonstrate the value of their investment in MRF’s work.
Event organisation and delivery
· With Head of Research, and colleagues in communications and administration, work to organise and deliver MRF’s biennial international medical-scientific conference; including supporting programme development, uploading material to the conference app, acting as a key contact for speakers and chairs, taking responsibility for academic posters, and promoting the conference to scientific and medical contacts. In years where funding is secured, oversee the bursary application process; from supporting the selection of successful candidates to supporting visa applications and travel requirements.
· With Head of Research, and colleagues in communications and administration, work to organise and deliver MRF’s biennial virtual webinar series: including supporting programme development, acting as a speaker liaison, and taking responsibility for the oversight of the virtual event delivery – including selection of appropriate virtual events provider.
· Organise key research project meetings related to the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030
· Represent MRF at relevant external meetings and conferences
Evidence and Information
· Respond to basic helpline calls and in-depth requests for information on medical information issues (liaising with Head of Research, Head of Evidence Policy and our medical and scientific advisers as appropriate) and research enquiries, including external MRF-funded projects and those undertaken internally
· Develop and maintain factsheets, which provide the public with accurate information on meningitis and septicaemia, and their prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
· Provide information and input into the creation of other resources for use by the public and professionals. Including supporting Head of Evidence and Policy with updates to health professional resources.
· Provide advice and support for wider teams to ensure that content contains accurate disease/medical information and evidence (such as the latest statistics, up to date references)
· Support Head of Research and Head of Evidence and Policy in responding to consultations
Terms and Conditions
Location
Flexible location, either head office in Bristol or home-based. Occasional requirements to visit Bristol office if home based. Occasional work elsewhere if required to travel for work purposes which could include international travel.
Annual salary
£26,000-£28,000 (depending on experience) including 2% employee pension contribution + 6% employer pension contribution. Paid in arrears on or around 25th of each month.
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours of Work
36.25 hours between 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. Occasional unsociable hours.
Annual Leave
25 days + statutory & public holidays. The Charity’s holiday year runs from 1st April to 31st March.
Application process
All candidates are requested to complete the standard application form. Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates that may previously have, or feel like they have, experienced being excluded from generally advertised roles due to their gender, ethnicity, disability status or sexual orientation. All applications will be reviewed and shortlisting will take place without candidates’ personal details being available to reviewers in order to minimize unintended bias.
The closing date for completed applications is 5pm GMT on Wednesday 24th May 2022. If we find a suitable candidate before the deadline, we may close this vacancy early.
Interviews are planned to take place in person in Bristol and candidates should be prepared to travel if necessary to attend this interview.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed and candidates with individual travel, access or disability support requirements are encouraged to communicate their needs to enable appropriate support to be provided to ensure access to interviews.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further please contact Liz Rodgers, Head of Research at elizabethr@meningitis.org
Please return application forms via e-mail to beckym@meningitis.org or post to Becky Miller at Meningitis Research Foundation, 10 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5HX.
MRF is committed to safeguarding, and any advertised role will require references and confirmation of your identity will be undertaken. Following receipt of satisfactory references, the successful candidate will be able to start work soon after receiving their offer of employment.
