Overview
UK MND Research Institute – Head of Research Operations – Maternity Cover – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us:
About the UK MND Research Institute
This is a fixed-term appointment for 12 months, covering the maternity leave of the substantive postholder. The role is scoped to deliver the key activities required to complete Year 1 of the Institute’s project plan, ensuring continuity of operations, stakeholder relationships, and financial management during this period.
The UK MND Research Institute (UK MND RI) is a national initiative with a vital and urgent mission: to accelerate the search for a cure for motor neuron disease (MND). Established in 2023, the Institute brings together leading scientists, clinicians, patients, charities, and industry partners to transform the landscape of translational MND research across the UK. The Institute is guided by a clear vision to identify effective therapies for MND through coordinated national efforts. Our mission is to drive forward progress by focusing on and expanding research, infrastructure, and resources across six partner universities and multiple funding bodies.
Our collaborative model is designed to maximise impact, reduce duplication, and ensure that promising discoveries move swiftly from the laboratory to clinical trials so that they can reach patients as quickly as possible.
Now entering our second phase, the UK MND RI is focused on scaling its operations and deepening its strategic partnerships. Over the next five years, we will leverage targeted government investment alongside charitable and industry co-funding to:
- Advance understanding of MND through cutting-edge basic and translational research.
- Develop new treatments by identifying and validating therapeutic targets.
- Accelerate clinical testing of the most promising therapies through coordinated trial infrastructure.
The Institute’s work is structured around three core themes: understanding MND, developing treatments, and testing treatments. These pillars are designed to tackle the disease, from molecular mechanisms to patient-centred clinical research. With a growing operational team and a national platform for collaboration, the UK MND RI is in a unique position to deliver meaningful progress for people living with MND.
About the role:
The Head of Research Operations (Maternity Cover) role is based at King’s College London, Denmark Hill campus within the School of Neuroscience. For the duration of this 12-month, fixed-term appointment, the postholder will focus on delivering the key activities set out in Year 1 of the Institute’s project plan, maintaining operational continuity and high-level stakeholder engagement in support of the Institute’s ambition to understand MND, develop new treatments, and test those treatments through a coordinated effort across the MND community. Reporting to the Co-Directors, the Head of Research Operations will provide strong leadership and will maintain a high-performing and motivated operational core team. They will be responsible for helping to deliver the identified Year 1 priorities, overseeing the coordination of research efforts and resources to optimise the institute’s existing infrastructure, and supporting the continuation of existing research activities and financial sustainability initiatives already underway. Communication with diverse audiences and building collaborative relationships is a key aspect of this role, so we are looking for a confident and self-assured individual with demonstrable experience of building networks and influencing and negotiating with stakeholders.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract for 12 months until 26th September 2027
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- Proactive and authentic approach to leadership, experience of line management, building and managing high performing teams, including motivating staff and performance management.
- Excellent task management skills and proven ability to use initiative, prioritise workloads for self and others and respond positively to competing demands and deadlines.
- Significant experience of leading complex collaborative research projects, including managing internal and external stakeholders and resources, and delivering to time and quality expectations.
- Evidence of efficient pre- and post-award grant processes, contract negotiations, reporting, and financial budgetary management.
- Ability to interpret and apply regulatory frameworks, policies, and procedures, and to advise others on their application.
- Proven track record of success in leading and managing a team of comparable size and complexity, to achieve high quality results to deadlines.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, and able to influence/persuade a wide range of stakeholders. And demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, ensuring equality and valuing diversity.
- Qualified to Masters level or equivalent experience in biomedical sciences or a health-related subject
Desirable criteria
- The ability to drive and embed lasting change
- Experience of working in a senior team to develop, communicate and implement business plan
- A good understanding of the MND research and the health research environment.
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
