Research Officer - Evidence & Impact - FTC

Salary Circa £32,000 per annum

Contract type Fixed Term

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

Published

a day ago

Closing

in 12 days

This is a Fixed Term, 12 Months, Full Time vacancy that will close in 12 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy

The Research & Partnerships Directorate is a fast paced, collaborative team committed to achieving Alzheimer’s Research UK’s vision. The Directorate has responsibility for delivering on the charity’s principal remit: funding world-class research to ultimately defeat dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK funds dementia research through a large portfolio of investigator-led grant awards, research fellowships and strategic initiatives within the UK and increasingly internationally.

Working closely with the Evidence Manager, you’ll help shape how Alzheimer’s Research UK understands, evidences, and tells the story of the impact of the research we fund. You’ll lead on collating, cleaning and analysing impact data from a range of sources, turning it into compelling insights that support external reporting, fundraising and internal decision-making. You’ll work across the organisation (including Communications and Philanthropy) and with external partners to strengthen our approach to impact assessment, helping to position ARUK as a leader in the field. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys connecting evidence to real-world change.

This is a 12-month FTC or on return of substantive postholder

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research impact assessment, analysis & dissemination

• Lead the day-to-day collation and analysis of research impact across ARUK’s funded portfolio.
  • Collate, clean and maintain impact data (e.g. researcher reports, publications and online sources such as Dimensions) to enable consistent, high-quality reporting.
  • Analyse and synthesise findings into clear, decision-ready insights, supported by visualisations and (where appropriate) dashboards.
  • Turn impact evidence into engaging content (e.g. case studies, summaries and graphics briefs) and partner with the Communications Team to make it ready for internal and external use.
• Own the day-to-day development of the Impact Hub—our internal repository of research impact—spotting standout examples of progress (e.g. career development, collaborations, guideline influence) enabled by sustained ARUK funding and shaping them into strong case studies.
• Partner with fundraising teams to understand their evidence needs and identify new opportunities to bring research impact to life for supporters.
• Help improve and embed reporting processes that strengthen how we evaluate and communicate the impact of ARUK-funded research.

Data analysis, Evidence & Evaluation

• Provide responsive data collection, analysis and reporting support across the Research & Partnerships Directorate and wider organisation, working closely with the Evidence Manager.
  • Examples include: portfolio trends, geographic spread, career outcomes and collaboration mapping.
• Support the Evidence Manager to deliver ARUK’s Strategic Performance Measurement Framework—tracking and reporting KPIs for senior leadership and trustees.
• Continuously improve systems and workflows, streamlining data handling and building reusable templates and dashboards (e.g. automation in Excel/Power Query, Power BI data models, standard operating procedures).

External ambassador for research impact

• Build expertise in research impact assessment by engaging with organisations such as the AMRC and attending relevant workshops and meetings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, in particular ARUK-funded researchers and other funding bodies, spotting opportunities to advance ARUK’s research aims.
• Represent ARUK at national and international events and conferences, helping to position the charity as an authority on research impact.

Team working and other responsibilities

• Play an active role in Team and Directorate meetings, bringing ideas, insight and constructive challenge.
• Keep colleagues and stakeholders updated on progress, insights and next steps as appropriate.
• Support internal reporting on risks, budgets and activity across the Research & Partnerships directorate.
• Provide ad hoc, additional support or resourcing for other activities across the Research & Partnerships Directorate
• Undertake any other relevant duties and projects delegated by the Evidence Manager in line with the responsibilities of the post

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Scientific background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (or equivalent work experience)
• Understanding of impact assessment within the context of a research funding environment
• Experience and/or knowledge of biomedical or life sciences research
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to scrutinise and interpret data
• Experience planning and operating effective and systematic data collecting and management systems
• Proficiency with Excel for data analysis and an ability to work with large datasets is essential; experience with design and data visualisation software such as Microsoft PowerBI, or programming experience, are desirable.
• Excellent team working and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise competing demands
• A proactive attitude and someone who can work independently
• Collaborative and communicative

The closing date for applications is the 10th May 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 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.

The Benefits

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The Values

• 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.

The Charity

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.

The Benefits

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.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development

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