Research Programme Officer

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds and delivers world-class health and social care research that improves lives, drives innovation, and supports economic growth. Working with the NHS, universities, local government, patients, and the public, we tackle health challenges in the UK and beyond, including in low- and middle-income countries, turning research into real-world impact.

Job Description

As a Research Programme Officer within the Vaccine Innovation Pathway Programme Management Office, you will help streamline the setup and delivery of vaccine trials across the UK. You will support business process redesign to create an innovative pathway for clinical trials, including:

• Collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to align vaccine studies with the UK population and maximise site contributions
• Building and engaging communities of investigators through Cancer and Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Fora to leverage expertise for successful trial delivery
• Providing programme management for projects that enhance the systems and processes for UK vaccine trials
• Supporting initiatives to improve recruitment through consent-to-contact registries, data-driven approaches, and public engagement around vaccine research.

You will work closely with the Programme Management Office team and key stakeholders across NIHR Clinical Research Facilities and the NIHR Clinical Research Network (and its successor, the NIHR Research Delivery Network) to deliver a robust and impactful programme of work.

Qualifications

Required Criteria:

• Good biomedical science degree or equivalent expertise gained through previous roles
• Experience of working in a Clinical Research environment
• Ability to understand complex funding and research systems , emphasising benefits to external stakeholders
• Analytical and problem solving skills to generate creative solutions with mutual benefit for NIHR and partners
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desired Criteria:

• Good working knowledge of the UK health and care research landscape
• Prior experience in clinical research setup and delivery within the NHS
• Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2) or experience with Agile/Lean techniques
• Experience using Google Apps and collaborative platforms

Key Competencies:

• Proactive, flexible, and enthusiastic team player capable of working independently or collaboratively
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management across diverse organisations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear and effective collaboration
• Exceptional organisational abilities including prioritisation, planning, and meeting management
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities under pressure and meeting tight deadlines
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in dynamic environments
• Demonstrates high levels of professionalism, diplomacy, and integrity

Additional Information

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:

• Salary: £32,000
• Location: Victoria, London / Hybrid working model
• Contract Type: Fixed-Term (15 months: January 2026 – March 2027)
• Working Hours: 37.5 per week, 7.5 hours per day
• Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:

• Annual bonus, subject to company performance
• Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
• Life Insurance Cover
• Benenden Healthcare Membership
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Season Ticket Loan

NB: This is a hybrid role based at our office in Victoria, London, with a minimum requirement of one in-office day per week. This requirement may increase based on team needs or operational demands.

How to Apply
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Required Criteria' outlined in the

job description

. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the LGC Group.

NB: Closing date for applications is 5pm on 27th October with the interviews to be held from the W/C the 3rd November.

Inclusion and Diversity
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.