Salary: £19,600, part time (3.5 days per week).

We are looking for an experienced, confident and capable Research and Partnerships Officer to provide overall support to the TSA’s research function. This role will appeal to someone who has excellent inter-personal and organisation skills, is passionate about putting the patient perspective at the centre of the research process and wants to join a charity that is working hard to provide help for today and a cure for tomorrow.

Over the last 5 years there has been more demands put on the limited research funds available globally, with research into Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and other rare diseases often overlooked. You will play a key role in pursuing different types of research funding partnership models to increase funding available for TSC research.

Specifically, you will be responsible for actively seeking new opportunities for the TSA to expand its patient and public involvement and engagement activities and add value as a research partner (e.g., as a co-applicant or a co-funder). You will also be responsible for administering our ongoing research grant portfolio including launching funding schemes, processing application reviews and the routine management of existing grant awards.

You will also support colleagues in other teams including fundraising, communications, and support services. This will include updating colleagues on the impact of our funded research and outputs of our research programme, and co-ordinate involvement opportunities in these activities as appropriate.

People affected by TSC are at the centre of our research programme activities. They contribute as lay scientific panel members, help researchers and project teams create information packs and patient-friendly forms, play formal patient involvement roles on research projects. You will have the opportunity to build and manage this pool of valued, expert volunteers.

If you are excited by this potential and motivated by the difference the TSA can make – and want to be part of an ambitious, energetic, and collaborative charity – then we would be very interested in hearing from you.

Purpose of job

To be responsible for

• The day-to-day delivery of the TSA’s research funding schemes and partnership projects
• Managing the research and policy volunteer network and patient and public involvement and engagement activities
• Promoting access to research opportunities for the UK TSC community
• Disseminating and communicate research evidence both internally and externally to the TSA
• Other ad-hoc projects as required

Key accountabilities

Research Management

• Support the delivery of the current TSA Research Strategy, ensuring compliance with AMRC guidelines and relevant good practice in all our research funding processes

• Deliver the TSA’s grant application processes including pre- and post-award grant management and impact reporting

• Support the TSA Research Committee and other panels involved in the research programme, making sure that relevant papers are prepared and distributed, and support is provided to committee members prior to, during and after meetings as appropriate

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement

• Recruit people affected by TSC to the charity’s research and policy volunteer group and provide day to day support for volunteers including delivering appropriate training and support for the roles they will be asked to perform

• Support internal and external patient and public involvement and engagement activities

• Maintain good relationships with TSC researchers to raise awareness of opportunities for the UK TSC community to participate in clinical trials and other research

Research Partnerships

• Manage the delivery of research partnerships programme working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners as required with particular focus on relationship management

• Work effectively with colleagues in fundraising, communications, and support services to both maximise the returns that the TSA is able to generate from its research activities and to support the delivery of wider organisational objectives

Research Comms and Events

• Write copy for the website including summaries of research reports and briefings. Communicate research findings through reports, briefings, blogs, newsletter articles and presentations for a variety of audiences

• Provide support for additional TSA events such as the annual TSC Clinics Day and the Big Day

Other requirements of the post

The post holder must be prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation. This will entail occasional evening and weekend work. Some travel within the UK will be needed for team meetings, TSA events and training provision. This would normally require access to a car (mileage will be paid) or travel by public transport (travel cost will be covered).

A DBS disclosure will be required prior to taking up post.

Person specification

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter (no more than two pages) telling us how you meet the requirements for this role. If you’d like further information about the role, please contact us at research@tuberous-sclerosis.org.

Advert close date: Friday 10 March 2023

First interview date and location: rolling over Zoom/telephone

Second interview date and location: w/c 13 March over Zoom

The interview process will include a test of essential skills.

Due to the expected volume of applicants, we will not be able to acknowledge candidates who are not shortlisted