We anticipate a further NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) competition in 2027. In preparation, we are inviting expressions of interest for a PPIE lead who will develop and implement a cohesive PPIE strategy across the bid, working closely with Prof Philip Newsome, who will lead the bid. We expect to appoint a single PPIE lead to oversee this work during bid preparation and, subject to success, to support the delivery of the PPIE strategy in the future BRC. This BRC bid will run alongside the BRC hosted by the 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. 

The USP for this BRC bid will be Personalised Health and Care with and for communities. The BRC will be challenge-based with an overt focus on the key healthcare problems facing us locally and nationally. Themes will be framed against longer-term targets whilst also containing conventional BRC stage targets and outputs.

Role Scope 

The PPIE lead will:

1. Governance and influence
Sit as a core member of the BRC bid steering group and, subject to success, the BRC executive, ensuring PPIE perspectives are represented in all key governance and decision-making forums (including theme boards and selection panels).

2. Overall PPIE strategy for the bid
Lead the development and delivery of the PPIE strategy for the anticipated BRC bid, working with the Director, Deputy Directors and Theme Leads to embed PPIE throughout the bid, and ensuring alignment with other KHP infrastructures, partner institutions and NIHR research inclusion strategies. 

3. Alignment with KHP-wide principles
Work with the KHP infrastructure forum PPIE working group, to support the creation and implementation of KHP PPIE strategic principles, inline with NIHR requirements for host based PPIE strategies in infrastructure calls. 

4. Resourcing and support for PPIE
Lead planning for appropriate resourcing of PPIE within the bid, including budgeting for public contributor payment, expenses and support, in line with NIHR guidance on payment and recognition.

5. Evidence of involvement in bid development
Work with the Deputy Directors to ensure robust tracking and evidence of involvement of patients, the public and local communities in the development of the BRC bid.

6. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Develop and oversee a framework for monitoring, evaluating and reporting PPIE activity and impact across the bid and, if successful, the BRC, including agreed KPIs and qualitative feedback from public contributors.

7. Inclusive research culture / ongoing BRC programme
Promote a culture of inclusive research by embedding meaningful PPIE at all stages of BRC bid development and, subject to success, the subsequent BRC programme of work, to ensure access to research is inclusive for participants.  

8. Race equality and EDI
Act as the senior sponsor for the NIHR Race Equality Framework assessment and working with EDI Lead, oversee development and initiation of the resulting action plan

9. Public engagement events and initiatives
Identify, promote and where appropriate lead the organisation of public engagement events and initiatives. 

10. Training and capability-building
Identify and support training needs and opportunities for both researchers and public contributors to enable strong and consistent PPIE. 

Application process

Applications are invited from senior staff employed by a King’s Health Partners organisation 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’s 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 2 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 post will be allocated a nominated 0.2 FTE 

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 submit your completed application comprised: 

  • A cv, which is a maximum of three pages long including one page for publications.  
  • A cover letter stating your interest in the role, your vision to embed PPIE throughout the BRC bid and the value you would bring to the role. 

Please email your application to translationalmedicine@kcl.ac.uk. The deadline for expressions is 5pm Tuesday 6 January 2026 with potential interviews on Monday 26 January 2026 

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

Deadline:
6 January 2026, 5:00pm