UK DRI Research Project Manager

Researchers at the UK DRI at King’s use innovative approaches to explore the biological mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Their goal is to defeat dementia by uncovering vital new knowledge that will lead to the design of smarter diagnostics and effective treatments. The team aim to understand the fundamental biological processes involved in dementia at a molecular level – and to use that knowledge to design new ways to diagnose and treat disease more precisely.

Join the forefront of dementia research at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at King’s College London, where our interdisciplinary research community is dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As part of the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, the UK DRI at King’s undertakes innovative cellular, molecular and translational research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and develop new therapeutic approaches.

About the role:

We are seeking an ambitious and organised Research Project Manager to join the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at King's College London, the UK's flagship Dementia Research institute.

Working closely with Dr Sarah Marzi, you will play a central role in supporting an internationally recognised research programme focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying dementia and resilience to neurodegeneration.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a world-leading research environment, collaborating with scientists, clinicians, funders, people affected by dementia, professional services teams and international partners. You will help translate ambitious scientific goals into successful project delivery, enabling cutting-edge research with the potential to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

A major focus of the role will be supporting EMERALD, a collaborative programme funded through the Dementia Frontiers Fund. The postholder will also support the wider Marzi research portfolio, including existing and future grants, partnerships, public engagement activities and strategic initiatives.

You will work closely with the UK DRI Institute Manager and Centre administration team, School professional services teams and King's central services, acting as a key link between researchers and operational teams to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, compliantly and on time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and manage all operational aspects of the projects, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, milestones, timelines and budgets.
• Ensure the projects comply with all relevant funder requirements, governance frameworks, ethical approvals, regulatory standards, institutional policies and research governance procedures.
• Develop, implement and maintain effective project management processes, systems and documentation to support successful project delivery.
• Monitor project progress, risks, deliverables and deadlines, proactively identifying issues and implementing solutions to ensure successful outcomes.
• Prepare and coordinate progress reports, funder submissions, project documentation, financial reports, performance updates and meeting papers.
• Support financial management activities, including budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, resource allocation and financial reporting.
• Organise and support meetings, steering groups, governance committees, PPI groups and activities, workshops and project events, including preparing papers, agendas, minutes and action logs.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration between investigators, researchers, funders, industry partners, patient representatives, public contributors and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate project communications, dissemination activities, websites, online content, publicity and stakeholder engagement activities where required.
• Support Patient and Public Involvement activities including participant recruitment, data collection activities, research operations, and meeting coordination ensuring activities are conducted in accordance with approved protocols and procedures.
• Monitor data quality, data management processes and compliance requirements, ensuring that sensitive information is managed appropriately and securely.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and HR processes relating to project staff where required.
• Coordinate research-related travel, meetings, workshops, conferences and engagement activities.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with the UK DRI administrative and operational team along with the School of Neuroscience professional services teams, research management, finance, procurement, contracts, HR and governance teams.
• Provide administrative, operational and project-management support to Dr Sarah Marzi and her research teams to ensure the smooth and efficient running of research projects.
• Support the establishment, coordination and ongoing management of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities and groups, ensuring the meaningful involvement of people affected by dementia in research.

About you:

You are a highly organised and proactive project professional who enjoys bringing people together, solving problems and turning ambitious plans into reality. You have experience coordinating complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and changing deadlines and you will be equally comfortable working with researchers, professional services colleagues, funders, patient representatives and external partners, building effective relationships and ensuring projects move forward. You will be confident managing budgets, monitoring risks, coordinating governance processes and producing high-quality reports and documentation. Most importantly, you will be someone who takes initiative, spots issues before they become problems, and enjoys finding practical solutions.

You may already work in a research, higher education, healthcare, charity or innovation environment, or you may bring transferable project management experience from another sector.

This role would particularly suit someone who is motivated by supporting world-class research and wants to be part of a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Qualifications and Knowledge 

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, or substantial equivalent experience.
• Experience in project management, research administration or programme management.
• Knowledge of research governance, regulatory, ethical and compliance requirements.

Experience 

• Proven experience coordinating high value complex research projects, programmes, grants, or research activities.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines, deliverables and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Experience preparing reports, project documentation, meeting papers and presentations.
• Experience of budget monitoring, expenditure management and financial reporting.

Skills 

• Excellent organisational, planning and project-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex information effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently using initiative and sound judgment.
• Competence in data management, quality assurance and handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including Microsoft 365 and other digital systems used to support project delivery.
• Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with academic, clinical, professional services and external stakeholders.

Key details

• Location UK DRI at King's
• £45,031 - £52,514 per annum