Senior Research Officer
Context & Purpose
The core 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 and will be required to produce and maintain accurate information on meningitis and septicaemia for the public.
The role will form part of the Research Evidence and Policy (REP) Team along with the Head of Research, Head of Health Insights and Policy and the Health Insights, Policy and Disease Information Manager. There will be frequent cross team working with the Communications and Engagement Team.
The REP team is responsible for all aspects of our AMRC accredited research funding portfolio; organising a series of research-medical events; provision of guidelines and tools for health professionals; sharing latest knowledge about the diseases to a wide range of stakeholders including professionals and the 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.
If you are looking to further develop your career in the medical/research sector, have strong administrative skills, a keen eye for detail, with a flair for writing and an ability to convey complex scientific concepts to the public, this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for.
Reports to Head of Research
Responsibilities
Research administration
• Enable the selection of new research projects by
• processing grant applications
• identifying peer reviewers
• co-ordinating the peer review process
• liaising with the Scientific Advisory Panel and external referees, organising and attending meetings (in-person and virtual), preparing meeting papers, 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
• 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
• Support the Head of Research to review and develop a new Research Strategy aligned to MRF’s Organisational strategy.
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 relevant 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.
Medical-research event organisation and delivery
• Lead on the organisation of MRF’s biennial international medical-scientific conference (the next of which is taking place in November 2023); including supporting the Head of Research in programme development, identifying and negotiating with a range of suppliers, uploading material to the conference website and 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.
• Co-ordinate MRF’s biennial virtual webinar series
• Organise key research project meetings and take meeting minutes
• Represent MRF at relevant external meetings and conferences
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)
• Engage members and the public with MRF’s research activity: through written and verbal formats. Work with other departments to make the most of consequent opportunities to engage members in communication or fundraising for research.
• Represent MRF on external research PPI panels
Evidence and Information
• Under the supervision of the Health Insights, Policy and Disease Information manager, develop and maintain factsheets, which provide the public with accurate information on meningitis and septicaemia, and their prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• 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 consultation responses
Experience
All applicants must have recent and relevant experience of:
• Working in a research environment or for a medical research charity, with an understanding of research management (minimum one year’s experience).
• Demonstrable interest in scientific affairs and medical research
• A flair for writing, with an ability to convey complex scientific ideas and concepts to the public
• Excellent and consistent attention to detail with strong proofing skills
• Organising conferences and/or events
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with people from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds and at all levels of seniority
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, including ability to juggle multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines
Location: Must be UK based: can be hybrid (Bristol office) or remote. Occasional work elsewhere if required to travel for work purposes which could include international travel.
Annual salary £29,000-£33,000 (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 must send a cover letter and CV by the closing date to Becky Miller: beckym@meningitis.org.
Please note your cover letter must outline how your skills and experience reflect the person specification, and why you are interested in applying for this role.
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.
The final closing date for completed applications is 5pm GMT on Wednesday 12th July.
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 at elizabethr@meningitis.org
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.
