Network Research Manager

Job description

Fixed term for up to 5 years, tapering FTE: Year 1 x 1.0 FTE; Year 2 x 0.9 FTE; Years 3 & 4 x 0.8 FTE; Year 5 x 0.7 FTE

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Pain Research Reading (PRR) is seeking an ambitious and highly organised Network Research Manager to play a central role in driving forward an expanding programme of interdisciplinary pain research across the University of Reading and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. This is a unique opportunity to join a research network at the forefront of translational pain science, working across academic and clinical environments to accelerate high quality research, enhance impact, and support the development of the next generation of pain researchers.

You will be embedded within the Pain Management Working Group, a cross institutional team comprising academic researchers, clinical academics, PhD students and postdoctoral scientists. You will coordinate multiple concurrent research projects, streamline research processes, and contribute directly to new grant applications, research outputs, and impact case studies. The role is central to PRR's strategic aims: strengthening research capacity, enhancing visibility, and enabling efficient, high quality delivery of pain focused research.

You will take a leading role in supporting project set up and delivery across University and NHS settings, including preparing ethics applications, liaising with central services, and ensuring smooth progression from study design through to dissemination. You will contribute to data management and analysis where appropriate, support manuscript preparation, and help coordinate evidence capture for impact case studies. You will also play a key part in developing PRR's research culture by supporting early career researchers and facilitating collaborative opportunities.

Alongside research coordination, you will lead the organisation of PRR events, including the annual PRR conference, and contribute to the network's digital presence, outreach activities, and public and patient engagement initiatives.

You will have:
• A postgraduate qualification in Psychology, Biology, Medical or Health Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within a research environment, ideally including pain research or adjacent clinical/scientific fields.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with experience coordinating research projects or teams.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience contributing to research outputs such as publications or grant applications.
• Ability to work effectively across interdisciplinary teams, engaging confidently with academic, clinical and professional stakeholders.
• Understanding of health research processes and governance, with the ability to support studies from set up to dissemination.

It would also be advantageous to have:
• Experience working with NHS or clinical research environments, including familiarity with IRAS/HRA processes.
• Experience supporting grant development.
• Skills in qualitative research, neuroscientific or biological data handling, or experience with brain imaging or phlebotomy datasets.
• Experience supporting early career researchers or facilitating collaborative research activities.
• Experience in event organisation, public engagement, or digital communications (websites, social media).

This five year fixed term role (with tapered FTE) offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to a high impact, interdisciplinary research network with strong clinical partnerships. You will gain experience across research coordination, grant development and strategic network building, with opportunities to contribute to collaborative projects, and PRR's long term research strategy.

Contact Name: Dr Maria Maiaru
Contact Job Title: Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pain Research
Contact Email address: [email protected]
Alternative Contact Name: Prof Darius Widera
Alternative Contact Job Title: Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Alternative Contact Email address: [email protected]

This role will be subject to DBS Standard check. Please see these links for information Safeguarding and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Procedure

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates. In line with the University's commitment to staff development, this role may be considered as a secondment opportunity for existing employees; internal applicants should discuss this with their line manager before applying.

The University aims to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, is committed to gender and race equality, supports LGBT+ equality, and is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications for job share, part time and other flexible working arrangements, which will be considered in line with operational needs.