We anticipate a further NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) competition in 2027. In preparation for this, we are inviting expressions of interest for the role of Deputy Directors to support Prof Philip Newsome, who will lead the bid.

We anticipate appointing up to three Deputy Directors who will help with bid development and delivery of a future BRC. This BRC bid will run alongside the BRC hosted by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

About NIHR BRCs

NIHR BRCs are substantial, competitive, infrastructure awards to leading NHS Trust and University Partnerships in England to accelerate the translation of innovative scientific discoveries into patient benefit through experimental medicine research and early phase clinical trials. BRC awards are typically awarded based on research themes which typically span a range of disorders and therapeutic areas and used to fund interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, researchers, allied health professionals and professional services staff to leverage external funding and collaborations to facilitate the delivery of the BRC scientific strategy.

We are currently expecting the process for next round of funding for BRCs to be announced towards the end of 2026. 

A. Bid Development

  • With Director support, lead theme architecture development and coordinate text from theme leads;
  • Manage scientific quality assurance and internal review, ensuring consistency and readiness for ESAB scrutiny;
  • Ensure incorporation of PPIE and EDI dimensions across all theme documents;
  • Ensure scientific content aligns with environmental sustainability and net-zero principles;
  • Oversee workforce EDI representation within the bid;
  • Develop cross-thematic synergies and identify shared platforms and collaborative opportunities;
  • Liaise with the Academic Capacity Development Lead to integrate training and academic pipeline proposals;
  • Contribute to financial and resource planning for the BRC.

B. Running of the BRC

  • Oversee delivery and evaluation of thematic SMART objectives and research quality;
  • Lead preparation of annual thematic reports and monitor performance against metrics;
  • Conduct academic capacity mapping and oversee succession planning;
  • Manage cross-theme integration and promote inter-disciplinary collaborations;
  • Lead pump-priming and early-career development schemes, ensuring alignment with NIHR and CTM priorities;
  • Deputise for the Director at the BRC Scientific Forum when required;
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement framework, embedding learning from performance reviews.

A. Bid Development

  • Lead external partnership development and ensure alignment with NHS, academic, industry and charity partners;
  • Coordinate stakeholder engagement and consultation tracking, evidencing involvement of patients, public, and NHS partners;
  • Embed PPIE and EDI principles in theme and all cross-cutting narratives (working with the PPIE/EDI Leads);
  • Coordinate development of the impact and long-term population outcomes narrative;
  • Monitor workforce diversity and inclusivity;
  • Ensure environmental sustainability and equity principles are visible in all partnership and system plans;
  • Develop cross-BRC coordination and national infrastructure alignment;
  • Work with comms and policy teams to develop a communications and dissemination plan (internal and external).

B. Running of the BRC

  • Lead evaluation of overall BRC SMART objectives; 
  • Compile evidence of NHS/population impact;
  • Coordinate health economics and implementation science inputs to evaluate cost-effectiveness and NHS productivity gains;
  • Oversee preparation of general BRC annual reports and coordinate ESAB documentation;
  • Chair the PPIE and EDI oversight groups, ensuring alignment across all themes;
  • Strengthen and expand partnerships, including cross-London collaborations;
  • Lead cross-BRC coordination and national infrastructure alignment (eg Translational Research Collaboratives);
  • Support the economic growth and business engagement agenda with the Business Engagement Lead;
  • Drive the communications and visibility strategy to showcase impact and influence policy;
  • Maintain oversight of mind–body integration and the SLaM BRC liaison function;
  • Track and report environmental sustainability performance.

A. Bid Development

  • Lead data governance and digital infrastructure readiness, ensuring interoperability and compliance with NHS/NIHR standards (assurance);
  • Design and document trial set-up efficiency processes, embedding the 150-day target;
  • Monitor financial planning for the BRC, ensuring leverage and sustainability;
  • Lead infrastructure alignment (eg NIHR CRF, digital) and integration into theme planning;
  • Review and prioritise platform infrastructure requirements for the BRC bid;
  • Work with the Business Engagement Lead to embed innovation and commercialisation pathways;
  • Identify risk areas and compliance dependencies during bid preparation.

B. Running of the BRC

  • Oversee financial monitoring and performance of infrastructure and enabling platforms;
  • Coordinate trial delivery efficiency programmes, aligning with RDN and national metrics, including aspects such as sponsorship, contracting, initiation;
  • Review platform performance across the BRC and identify optimisation opportunities;
  • Lead innovation pipeline management, monitoring translational outputs, IP generation and commercial readiness;
  • Maintain risk management and compliance oversight, including the BRC risk register and audit readiness;
  • Support integration of innovation and commercialisation with King’s Innovation and SC1 London;
  • Lead liaison on novel trial designs and adaptive study methodologies;
  • Maintain a continuous improvement and learning framework to support operational excellence;
  • Contribute to horizon scanning and future-proofing, aligning with emerging NIHR priorities;
  • Oversee crisis and issue management frameworks for governance and delivery.

Application process

Applications are invited from senior staff employed by King’s Health Partners organisations, typically at the level of Reader or Professor (substantive, honorary or adjunct), working in translational medicine across health disciplines. 

The candidate would need to be/have:

  • Substantively employed by one of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, or King’s College London;
  • A sustained record of excellence in research activities as indicated through original research articles with evidence of the impact of their research for patient benefit;
  • An ability to think strategically and champion innovative approaches to building partnerships, driving impact, and accelerating research translation into clinical practice;
  • Experience of, and commitment to, diversity and inclusion and to patient and public involvement and engagement in translational medicine;
  • Evidence of being a team player and an ability to work with a range of stakeholders across KHP.

These are fixed-term roles starting in late 2025 and running for the first two years of a successful BRC (around end March 2030). The posts may be extended by mutual agreement for the remainder of the BRC award. For the period of the successful BRC award the posts will be allocated two academic Programmed Activity sessions (or equivalent) 

The three Deputy Director roles will each focus on distinct domains, ensuring full coverage of scientific, partnership and infrastructure functions during both bid development and delivery (see above).

We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and diversity and inclusion in accordance with KHP strategic principles.  We strongly encourage applications from individuals from groups underrepresented in senior research posts.

Please send a cv and a two-page cover letter, explaining your interest in one or more of the Deputy roles and how you meet the person specification.   

Deadline for expressions is 5pm Monday 17 November with potential interviews on Friday 28 November.

Applications to translationmedicine@kcl.ac.uk. 

For an informal chat about the role, please arrange an appointment to speak with Prof Philip Newsome via translationalmedicine@kcl.ac.uk. 

Deadline:
17 November 2025, 5:00pm