Salary Circa £31,000 per annum
Contract type Permanent
Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)
Full Time

Published

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Closing

in X days

This is a Permanent, , Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

This role sits within the Strategic Programmes Team Research team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, proactive and growing team that is driving forward initiatives to bring more clinical trials to the UK for people living with dementia. With the first generation of disease modifying treatments recently approved, this is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with strong research experience who understands the clinical research environment in the UK, to contribute to ground breaking work in dementia research, aligning with and advancing on the Government's new investment initiatives in the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals.

As a part of this dynamic team, the Research Officer for Strategic Programmes will actively contribute to the development, implementation, management and evaluation of ARUK’s strategic initiatives. This role involves working collaboratively with various teams within ARUK and aligning with the organisation's overarching objectives. This role requires an individual who is well-informed about the current developments in dementia research and can facilitate communication and partnerships to foster new opportunities.

 

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting the Implementation and Evaluation of Strategic Initiatives:

  • Assist in the monitoring and annual review processes of various strategic initiatives including the Drug Discovery Alliance (DDA) and Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) to ensure our strategic programmes deliver impact contributing to the wider dementia research ecosystem.
  • Support the development of future programme strategy through landscape analysis, collating external expert opinion and working with partner funding bodies.
  • Participate in the development of content for meetings and assist in preparing briefing materials for different committees and boards, ensuring papers are written clearly and on-time.
  • Responsibility for allocating, collecting and collating peer reviews for each initiative as appropriate.
  • Support in preparation and organisation of external meetings, including travel and budget tracking in collaboration with the Research Programmes Manager.
  • Drafting minutes for key meetings and ensuring actions are captured appropriately.
  • Support the Research Programmes Manager for Strategic Programmes and the Head of Strategic Programmes in developing relationships and collaborations with partners and stakeholders, providing relevant briefing materials where needed.
  • Work closely with the wider Research Team to embed involvement of people with lived experience into strategic programmes.

 

Communication and Partnership Work:

  • Engage in cross-departmental and cross organisational meetings to contribute ideas and share insights.
  • Support meetings with other funders to explore potential partnership opportunities and prepare briefings for Research Leadership teams where appropriate.
  • Further develop expertise on how to conduct annual reviews and improve ways of working by working with organisations such as the AMRC and by attending relevant workshops and meetings. 
  • Collaborate with the Research Team to support the assessment of impact from strategic initiatives and communicate these findings both internally and externally.
  • Contribute to external events as a representative of the charity including national conferences with the aim of positioning ARUK as an authority on dementia research.

 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

  • Experience in project coordination and collaboration facilitation.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
  • Familiarity with the UK funding landscape
  • Basic understanding of the drug discovery process.
  • Prior experience in a team environment.
  • Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, placing value on equity and diversity.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to capture and summarise key information to different stakeholders.
  • Organised and able to coordinate various projects concurrently.
  • Self-motivated with a proactive approach to work.
  • Willingness to learn new skills
  • Able to work well as part of a team.

 

The closing date for applications is the 22nd February 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

The Company

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.

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  • Innovation

We are creative and fearless in our work.

  • Accountability

We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.

  • Teamwork

We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here.

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