Head of Inclusive Research

The Wellcome Trust is seeking a Head of Inclusive Research to lead its strategic direction in inclusive research. The role, offering a salary of £94,700, aims to embed equity in funding and research initiatives, particularly addressing global health challenges. The successful candidate will manage a team, collaborate with senior leaders, and advocate for inclusive practices in various research contexts, particularly in the Global South. Applicants should have extensive experience in inclusive research methodologies, team leadership, and delivering impactful research. The application deadline is 25th August, with interviews scheduled for the week commencing 22nd September.

Salary: £94,700

Closing date: 25th August

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: W/C 22nd September

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

Wellcome’s vision is a healthier future for everyone and we work towards it by supporting science to solve urgent health challenges. To achieve the most impact from our mission, we focus on how we can best benefit the people and communities who are most affected by the health challenges we take on.

The Equity Department ensures that we engage thoughtfully with the right people at the right time, enabling and investing in the most impactful research, and influencing changes in policy and practice, so that:

• the people whose health has most to gain from new advances can access them with trust, and be confident that they meet their needs.

• partners and communities are engaged in an equitable way, so their voices and experiences help to shape the work we support.

• research can draw on the broadest range of talent and expertise to unlock more impactful discoveries and solutions.

• our own organisation is an inclusive place to work.

We are now recruiting for a Head of Inclusive Research to shape the strategic direction of Inclusive Research across Wellcome. The Head of Inclusive Research will manage a team of specialists to ensure equity is embedded in funding and research across Wellcome.

The Head of Inclusive Research will work strategically with senior leaders to understand the needs and opportunities for inclusive research across Wellcome, managing resource to meet demand and support Wellcome to deliver against the Equity Framework.

The Head of Inclusive Research will be responsible for ensuring coordination across the organisation in relation to partnering on Inclusive Research initiatives that deliver against Wellcome’s Equity Framework. The Head will advocate for, design and support Inclusive Research across Wellcome, its major UK investments and its international investments (including in LMICs).

To apply for this role please submit an up to date CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role. The minimum requirements of the role are:

• A credible expert, with a deep and sophisticated understanding of inclusive research and a demonstrated ability to practically deliver excellent research via community participation, inclusive research methodologies and engaged research from in the Global South

• Proven track record of successfully leading and developing a matrix team, managing resourcing, and fostering thematic expertise, ideally in an academic, funding or charity setting, to deliver against organisational goals within budget and to deadlines

• Significant experience working in research / science in the Global South – ideally as a researcher / funder based in the Global South or a funder delivering a programme of scientific research conducted in the Global South – with a strong understanding of research in these contexts as it relates to Wellcome’s Solutions portfolio

• Demonstrated history of delivering excellent and inclusive research with significant impact, with the ability to practically embed inclusive practice as it relates to Wellcome’s Discovery portfolio

• Proven history of and strong ability to design, manage and deliver research, grants and funding to meet strategic aims and impact, leveraging deep contextual understanding and functional expertise

You can view the full job description on our website

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website

Our Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.

At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at

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