Research Officer - Funding

Job Introduction

It is an exciting time to be joining Diabetes UK as we’re at the start of our new five-year strategy. Our ambitions to realise our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm are to want people to live well and longer with diabetes and to cure or prevent diabetes. As a Research Officer in the Research Directorate, you will join a busy team with a strong reputation for rigorous grant funding processes, ensuring that gold standard governance processes for funding are implemented. This role is critical to warrant that the research which Diabetes UK funds is relevant to people affected with diabetes and has the potential to make a difference to their lives.  

Interview Date: 13 & 15 Sept 21

Please note that we have changed the location of this role to London only as it's no longer flexible.

Role Responsibility

Working closely with the Research Manager, you will be responsible for the day to day administration of a wide range of research grants and funding schemes as well as dealing with enquiries from potential applicants. The Research Officer will manage the awarded grants and provide any support to our grant holders. Your role will also entail the planning and delivery of our PhD and Fellowship networking events. You will also support the Research Manager to deliver and improve the involvement of people with diabetes in the grant funding processes. As part of this role, you will build relationships with the research community, relevant research funders, and other organisations.

The Ideal Candidate

As a Research Officer, you will have a BSc in life-sciences or a related area and will be looking to establish a career in research funding. You will have some experience of working in a research funding environment, or within a busy administration role.  You will have excellent organisational and communication skills and collaborate well with others in the team. You will be confident working in a high-pressure environment, managing multiple work streams within agreed timeframes, as well as being able to show autonomy in your work.

Package Description

What we can offer you: 

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays 
• A Cash Healthcare Plan (giving you up to £1,500 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
• 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 the 4.8 million people in the UK with diabetes, there’s no day off. So, at Diabetes UK, we’re leading the fight every day, campaigning for better care, treatment and support. We won’t stop until diabetes can do no harm.  

We are working to make sure that those affected by diabetes get the best care and support they need to live well with their condition and avoid life-changing complications.  We're leading the way by funding critical research, improving healthcare and treatment so we can reach our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

Diabetes UK staff are motivated and experienced and extremely passionate about helping people affected by diabetes.  We have been fighting for people with diabetes for more than 80 years and changed millions of lives thanks to the new treatments, technology and policy changes we've been behind.

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

We're a diverse bunch and as a charity we recognise and respect the value of everyone.

We’re very excited to have been placed in the top 30 best UK charities to work for, and in the top 75 best large companies in London.

We're committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all staff and volunteers to actively support this commitment.

We have a vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.  If you’d like to be part of that, why not join us? 

To learn more about the work we do please visit our website

Diabetes UK