Senior Research Advisor – Clinical Fellowships

British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the major funder of cardiovascular research in the UK and one of the leading funders globally.

As our Senior Research Advisor for Clinical Fellowships, you’ll be responsible for the scientific management of BHF’s diverse portfolio of personal funding awards, which range from PhD studentships through to Senior Fellowships for established researchers.

You’ll deliver rigorous assessments of applications through our Fellowships Committee, one of five research funding committees that collectively direct BHF’s investment in new research - which has amounted to almost £500 million over the past 5 years.

You’ll also engage with and support the clinical research community, identify ways to attract and retain clinical talent to our schemes and promote our offer within the clinical scientific community liaising with external institution and academies.

Working primarily to facilitate the work of BHF’s Fellowships Committee, together with the Senior Research advisor for Basic Science Fellowships, you’ll take a flexible approach to cover the work of the BHF’s other research funding committees as required. You’ll also support the Chief Scientific and Medical Officer and Associate Medical Directors in implementing the BHF’s research strategy, particularly in any aspects related to personal funding schemes and support for early- and mid-career researchers, including through liaison with external bodies such as other funders and learned academies, and you will help deliver the research elements of the BHF’s EDI strategy ‘Igniting Change’.

This is a blended role, where your work will be dual located between your home and, at least one day each week, at our London office.

With a PhD in a biomedical science discipline, you’ll have knowledge of the cardiovascular research landscape and associated opportunities and challenges. Previous experience in supporting clinical academic careers may be helpful but is not an essential requirement.

You’ll have knowledge and understanding of the BHF, our mission and the importance of research to our mission and will have substantial research experience gained in academia and/or industry. You’ll also have experience in organising scientific peer review, including through funder or journal roles.

You’ll serve as an ambassador for BHF promoting its research achievements. You’ll be able to organise and prioritise a flexible workload whilst also managing multiple deadlines.

With excellent attention to detail and accuracy, while maintaining sight of the “bigger picture” and thinking strategically, you’ll be a proactive member of the team possessing outstanding communication skills, able to deliver confident and articulate presentations to scientific and non-scientific audiences. In addition, you'll have excellent literacy, numeracy and database skills.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

Interview process

Interviews will be held via MS Teams on 15th May 2024, which will be a competency based Q&A session and presentation. A short, more informal meeting, with some key stakeholders this role will work with will follow on from the interview.

How to apply

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button above to apply for the role.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, the BHF will use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.