Theme leads for NIHR Biomedical Research Centre bid

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 Theme leads to lead on the development of the themes and support Prof Philip Newsome, who will lead the bid. We anticipate appointing up to two co-leads per theme who will lead the preparation of their theme for the bid and further delivery of the theme in 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 funding is organised around research themes which usually span a range of disorders and therapeutic areas, and is used to fund multidisciplinary 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 is Personalised Health and Care with and for communities. The BRC will be challenge-based with clear focus on key healthcare problems facing us locally and nationally. Themes will be framed against longer-term targets whilst also meeting conventional BRC stage targets and outputs. A clear demonstration of how each theme contributes to economic growth is expected.

Role scope

1. Co-produced strategic approach and focus on challenge and growth
Work with relevant PPIE groups, community partners and stakeholders to agree the strategic approach to the BRC theme, ensuring it is grounded in clearly defined healthcare challenges for our populations and has explicit routes to NHS benefit and economic growth.

2. Theme vision, experimental medicine strategy and programme design
Design a clear, challenge-based vision and experimental medicine strategy for the theme and translate this into a coherent programme of mechanistic studies, early phase trials and enabling platforms that are feasible, synergistic and aligned with NIHR expectations. Work with EDI, PPIE and Academic Capacity Development (ACD) leads, and other cross cutting leads (eg. digital and innovation leads), to embed inclusive recruitment, community co-production, data/digital platforms and capacity building across the programme.

3. Partnerships and external positioning
Identify and cultivate key internal and external partnerships (across NHS trusts, faculties, other BRCs, industry, charities and community organisations) that strengthen the theme’s offer, avoid duplication and enhance translation, and represent the theme in relevant internal and external fora.

4. Resourcing, staffing and risk management
Contribute to planning for appropriate resourcing of the theme within the bid (including staff, core platforms, pump priming and PPIE/EDI resource) and, if successful, oversee prioritisation, risk management and contingency planning so that the programme remains deliverable and resilient over the BRC funding period.

5. Delivery, monitoring and SMART impact (post award)
Subject to success, provide ongoing oversight of the theme’s portfolio, agreeing and monitoring SMART deliverables with KPIs (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound) for scientific outputs, recruitment and equity, translation and economic impact. Report regularly on progress, risks and impact and adjust plans in response to performance and learning.

6. People, culture and succession
Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture within the theme, supporting development of early and mid-career investigators and ensuring succession planning for theme leadership. Work with EDI, ACD and Training leads to identify and address barriers to participation and progression within the theme workforce.

7. Continuous improvement and learning
Use evaluation findings, SMART data and feedback from patients, public, staff, partners and NIHR/KHP reviews to refine the theme’s strategy and portfolio over time, sharing learning across themes and contributing to continual BRC wide improvement.

We welcome EOIs for theme leads for the following potential themes: 

1. Safer starts: maternal, perinatal and early infant health;
2. Cardiovascular and metabolic mechanisms for prevention and treatment of end-organ damage; 
3. Mechanisms of decline and resilience in serious multimorbidity, from first instability to the last year of life;
4. Immune tolerance, early control of inflammatory disease and recurrent flares;
5. Acute illness mechanisms to predict risk, prevent deterioration and improve recovery;
6. Skin and oral disease: barrier immunity, early cancer and systemic health impact;
7. Cancer evolution, early detection and precision treatment to close survival gaps;
8. Liver, alcohol, circadian and immune-metabolic mechanisms to prevent decompensation and infection;
9. Regenerative mechanisms to restore lost tissue function and independence;
10. Mechanistic optimisation of transplantation and complex surgery using AI-guided robotics and machine perfusion.

Please email translationalmedicine@kcl.ac.uk for more information about the theme/themes you are interested in applying for.  

Application process

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

Applicants should 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.

If the BRC and theme bid is successful, theme lead roles will run for five years from April 2028, subject to a successful mid-term review. A nominated FTE allocation will be provided for the duration of the award, as informed by the competition rules.

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.  
• Complete and return the word document application form.  

Please email your application to translationalmedicine@kcl.ac.uk. The deadline for expressions is 5pm Monday 12 January 2026 with potential interviews on Friday 6 February 2026 and w/c 9 February 2026. 

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