Research Programme Manager (Fixed Term)

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Research Programme Manager to take a lead role in the operational delivery of a multi-disciplinary research programme to evaluate an acceptance-based guided self-help intervention to support weight loss maintenance and improve the physical and mental health of people living with obesity. This research programme is led by Professor Amy Ahern and is funded by an NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research. It builds on a successful feasibility study of the Supporting Weight Management (SWiM) programme and will further refine, adapt and evaluate this intervention to provide evidence needed for implementation within the NHS.

You will have responsibility for the operational management of the programme, including co-ordinating and ensuring timely delivery of all work-packages, line-managing research and administrative staff employed on the programme, managing the budget, monitoring progress and capturing impact, and preparing and submitting reports to funders and other stakeholders. You will also take a lead role in co-ordinating dissemination activities and maintaining excellent working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including internal and external collaborators, relevant R&D offices, the Clinical Research Network, NHS England, Local Authorities, participating weight management services, industry partners, and patient/public representatives.

The successful candidate will have a graduate qualification in a related field and demonstrable experience in successful planning and coordination of multiple applied research projects running in parallel across different institutions. Applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain good working relationships with collaborators, stakeholders and team members.

The Institute of Metabolic Science Epidemiology is a division of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry within the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine and is situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Its mission is to study the genetic, developmental and environmental factors that cause obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders and develop strategies for their prevention. IMS Epidemiology benefits from a number of large-scale, cross programme epidemiological studies with detailed datasets allowing a wide range of research from genetics to public health. Highly experienced information teams and other specialist teams support the scientists in the delivery of their research aims.

The appointment will be made on a fixed-term basis for a period of 3 years in order to undertake a specific project of finite duration.

Please contact Professor Amy Ahern ([email protected]) for informal enquiries.

The closing date is Tuesday 20th October 2026 and interviews will likely be held on 29th and 30th October 2026.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference SJ51268 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online