Research Communications Officer

Job Introduction

Our research has been transforming lives for more than 85 years, and sits at the heart of our mission to create a world where diabetes can do no harm.

As a Research Communications Officer, you’ll be responsible for showcasing the life-changing impact of our research. Your work will raise awareness of exciting scientific advances in diabetes treatments, while helping to make sure people living with and affected by diabetes are uplifted and inspired by the research we're funding.

We are the UK’s largest charitable funder of diabetes research, funding projects into all types of diabetes and its complications. Heading into 2024, through the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge – our £50 million partnership with the Steve Morgan Foundation and JDRF – we’re driving unprecedented, bold research to lead the race to new treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes. And our plans to stimulate research that will improve the lives of people with type 2 or gestational diabetes, and help us to tackle health inequalities, are more ambitious and more needed than ever. All this means there’s never been a more important time to communicate about our research.

We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.

Interview Date: W/C 27 November 2023 (face-to-face in London)

Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK. You might find the following resources useful:

• To view a full list of accepted documents and the checks employers are required
  to make click here
• To view guidance on proving your right to work to an employer click here

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@diabetes.org.uk

Role Responsibility

You’ll be working in a busy research communications team and will collaborate with colleagues across the charity in e.g. media, marketing, fundraising, and brand and creative teams to draw on their expertise and make our research content sing.

You’ll translate complex scientific findings into clear, inspiring, and accessible content that helps to promote Diabetes UK as a funder of life-changing research and a trusted voice on diabetes science.

You’ll become an expert on Diabetes UK’s portfolio of research funding and will build relationships with Diabetes UK-funded researchers, to bring our supporters closer to them and their amazing work.

Internally, you’ll help to make sure the work of the research directorate has a high profile across the charity and empower colleagues to feel confident talking about our research.

The Ideal Candidate

• An exceptional written and verbal communicator, with a talent for telling engaging science stories. 
• You’ll be able to tailor content for a range of different channels, purposes and audiences.
• You’ll have a passion for science and a solid grounding in research methods, and be comfortable making sense of research papers and critiquing them.
• You’ll be a team player, who enjoys collaborating with colleagues across the charity to deliver creative research content.
• You’ll have great organisational skills and be at ease multi-tasking and reacting to changing priorities.

Package Description

What we can offer you: 

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time)
• A Cash Healthcare Plan (giving you up to £1,600 towards a range of out of pocket health expenses like new glasses, dentist, chiropractor or osteopath appointments) 
• Early finish Friday and flexible working as part of our approach to activity based working (not applicable to roles with fixed shift patterns)
• 2 Days TOIL in recognition of fixed shift patterns (pro-rata for part-time)
• Discounts on gym membership
• Employee assistance programme to give you support on any issues that come up in life  
• Annual season ticket loan* (on completion of your probation period and if contract is permanent or longer than 12 months)
• Very active social scene including sport teams, gardening and other activities 
• Generous pension provision, life assurance and income protection insurance
• Cycle to work scheme* (eligible for scheme if contract is permanent or longer than 12 months)

*Some benefits aren't available until you've passed your probation period and are dependent on the length of contract.

About the Company

For nearly 5 million people with diabetes in the UK, there’s no day off. At Diabetes UK, we fight day in, day out for better care, treatment and support. We won’t stop until diabetes can do no harm.

With more people than ever living with diabetes and millions more at risk of developing type 2, our work has never been more needed. We make sure they get the care and support needed to live well with diabetes and avoid devastating complications.

We fund critical research, which has led to life-changing discoveries – like the first insulin pen and programmes to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Now, we want to do this for everyone and find a cure.

We can’t do any of this without you. Our staff are passionate and determined about helping everyone affected by diabetes. For over 85 years, they’ve been behind vital policy changes, as well as new treatments and technologies to make living with diabetes easier every day.

But there’s more to do. And you can be part of it.

We’re a really diverse bunch and we recognise and respect your value as an individual. As well as helping people with diabetes, you’ll be part of one of the top 30 Best UK Charities to Work For, and one of the top 75 Best Large Companies in London.

We’re committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and we need our staff and volunteers to support this.

Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. Join us today, and together, we can make that a reality.

To find out more about what we do, check out our website.

Diabetes UK