Research programme manager

Kidney Research UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity is seeking a Research Programme Manager to drive the Kidneys and Cancer initiative. You will build and manage relationships with researchers and clinicians, coordinate project activities, and support workshops aimed at enhancing kidney disease research. This role requires excellent organizational skills and a proactive approach. The position operates in a hybrid working environment, based in Peterborough, with competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Generous annual leave

Pension contributions

Sick pay

Employee assistance programme

Private medical insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing research programmes.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex information.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Kidneys and Cancer initiative.
• Build relationships with researchers and clinicians.
• Support workshops and identify opportunities for research.

Skills

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Proactivity

Collaboration

Job description

Research programme manager

Salary £33,000 - £37,000 Depending On Experience

Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who excels at building strong relationships and enjoys helping shape areas of research. We are expanding our work at the intersection of kidney disease and cancer and need a skilled programme manager to help drive this forward.

We are looking for a confident, organised professional to coordinate our new Kidneys and Cancer initiative. You will build strong relationships with researchers and clinicians, manage timelines and activities, support workshops and meetings, and help identify opportunities that accelerate progress. You will communicate complex information clearly, enjoy working collaboratively, and bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach. You may also support additional programmes as they develop.

We operate a hybrid, flexible working style and the role is contracted to our Peterborough office. You will also be required to regularly attend external meetings and events.

If you are interested in the position, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: Wednesday 4 February 2026.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 16 February 2026.

No agencies please.

Department: Research

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £33,000 - £37,000 depending on experience

Benefits

• FLEXIBLE WORKING Flexible working hours with start and finish times around core hours of 9.30 – 4.30.
• ANNUAL LEAVE All full time employees start with paid bank holidays plus another 25 days holiday, increasing with every year of service to a maximum of 30. This is calculated on a pro rata basis for part time employees. Employees have the option to “sell” up to one-week annual leave, in a pre-set window prior to the start of the holiday year.
• PENSION The charity makes a generous contribution of 6% to a group pension plan. Employees will need to contribute a minimum of 2%, to meet the current pension regulations. All employees are enrolled in the pension scheme as soon as they join the charity, regardless of their salary levels, whether they are on a permanent or fixed-term contract.
• PARENTAL LEAVE We comply fully with all legislation relative to maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• SICK PAY Charity sickness benefit is available once an employee has worked with us for three months and equates to 2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks half pay in any rolling 52 week period. After one year’s service, this rises to 4 weeks full pay and 4 weeks half pay, and after two years to 8 weeks full pay and 8 weeks half pay.
• DEATH IN SERVICE Covers all employees after three months’ service, whether on permanent or fixed-term contract, and pays four times salary in the event of death while employed. The cover is provided up to your 65th birthday or the state pensionable age, whichever is greater.
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME A confidential email or phone line available to all employees who need support, advice or counselling with respect to work and non-work related issues.
• BIKE LOAN SCHEME We offer an interest free loan for employees who wish to purchase a bicycle, whether for travel to and from work or to enter an event for the charity.
• CYCLE2WORK SCHEME Through a salary sacrifice scheme, we offer a tax efficient way of purchasing a bicycle, for travel to and from work, where the cost is paid over 12 months.
• EYECARE We offer to cover the cost for eye tests and help towards glasses where these are required for computer work (in line with legislation).
• LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT We offer a variety of webinars and training courses so that employees can develop and reach their full potential. There are regular sessions for knowledge sharing across the charity and opportunities to get involved in events, research visits and volunteering activities.
• PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE All staff can choose to opt in to the private medical insurance, arranged and paid for by the charity, which includes dental and optical cover. Staff can include their partner and / or children at their own expense.
• DISCOUNT PORTAL All employees can take advantage of free access to discounted Cards and Vouchers for top retailers.
• INTEREST FREE LOAN We offer an interest free loan scheme for all staff. Employees can borrow up to £1,000, which will be deducted over a 12-month period from your net salary (similar to a season ticket loan), but without the need to specify what the loan is for.

Location

Our main office is set in the city centre, a short walk from the bus and train station, with direct services from Cambridge, Norwich, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. London King’s Cross is just 45 minutes away. The building is adjacent to the A15, just a few minutes from the A1 and direct connections to the national road network. Cyclists also benefit from Peterborough’s Green Wheel, a network of routes in and around the city, providing safe links to all areas.

Closing date for applications: 4th February 2026.