Job detail for Research Engagement Officer

We’re the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research, provide information and support to patients and their loved ones, and raise awareness of blood cancer.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and relationship-focused Researcher Engagement Officer to join our Research team and strengthen relationships with the researchers and Fellows we fund.

You’ll develop and deliver a programme of researcher engagement and stewardship, creating opportunities for collaboration, learning and long-term partnership. From webinars and conferences to researcher visits and events, you’ll help ensure our research community feels supported and connected throughout their journey with Blood Cancer UK.

You’ll build strong relationships with grant holders, Fellows and key research stakeholders, plan and deliver engagement activities, develop insight into the blood cancer research community and represent Blood Cancer UK at conferences and research events. You’ll also support research impact activity, contribute to funding rounds and partnerships, and work collaboratively across Research, Engagement and Fundraising.

We’re looking for someone with experience in the charity or research sector, an understanding of how research funding translates into impact, and excellent relationship-building and communication skills. You’ll be organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple projects, analysing research information and using technology, data and insight to deliver results.

The role involves 1–2 days of travel per week, including meetings with researchers, conferences, team workshops and away days, as well as two all-staff away days each year. There will also be occasional evening and weekend work.

We’re committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and welcome applications from people from groups, including minority communities and people with disabilities, to better reflect the communities we serve and broaden our perspectives.

Key

• Develop and deliver a researcher engagement and stewardship program: Create and embed a structured engagement approach for funded researchers to strengthen relationships, enhance collaboration and increase the long-term impact of Blood Cancer UK’s research investments. Examples of this include our early career researcher webinar series and annual grant holder conferences
• Plan and coordinate engagement with grant holders and Fellows: Plan and manage visits, events and touchpoints with grant holders and Fellows to ensure their needs are met, insights are gathered and their connection with Blood Cancer UK is sustained during and after funding
• Build and maintain insight on the blood cancer research community: Develop knowledge of key researchers, institutions and networks to expand the charity’s reach, inform funding opportunities and identify potential new partnerships
• Strengthen Blood Cancer UK’s visibility within the research community: Represent the organisation at meetings, conferences and research events to promote our funding opportunities, build relationships and increase awareness of our mission.
• Maintain and share accurate research information and insights: Manage and share resources to ensure internal teams have access to relevant data, impact evidence and researcher insights that support communication, engagement and income generation. Support organisation-wide staff learning about our projects and the blood cancer space through delivery of training and other resources
• 6.    Support the measurement and communication of research impact: Work with colleagues in the Research Impact and Engagement and Research Funding teams to ensure accurate collection, analysis and dissemination of research outcomes, enabling effective monitoring and storytelling.
• Support the Research team’s engagement with researchers within pre-award activities: Contribute to the scoping and development of new funding rounds and partnerships with other charities, such as workshop delivery. Identification of clinical and research experts for re-award activities, such as call development and application review
• Contribute to organisation-wide collaboration and resource development: Work proactively with Engagement and Fundraising teams to align research engagement activities with organisational priorities and strengthen income generation opportunities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge

• Understanding of the link between funding research and subsequent impact

Skills

• Ability to read/analyse data and interpret research reports for a range of audiences
• Well-developed interpersonal skills for liaising with internal and external communities, including senior academics, and committed to delivering an excellent, consistent and professional service
• A positive attitude to technology, insight and data, including an enthusiasm to use new technologies and ways of working to deliver against objectives

Experience

• Experience of working in either the charity or research sector
• Efficient, flexible, well organised self-starter with ability to manage multiple projects