Open Research Specialist

Salary: £ 44,320 - £55,400

Closing date:  Monday, 31 August 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: W/c 21st 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 committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.

The Open Research team advances the use of open research and knowledge to serve Wellcome’s mission of using science to solve urgent health challenges facing everyone.  The team work to ensure that research funded or commissioned by Wellcome is as open, accessible and reusable as possible, partnering with colleagues across Wellcome to embed open research principles into funding programmes and research initiatives helping to maximise its reach and impact. They work on funding policies such as open access and research output management. The team help shape and maintain the infrastructure that enables open research and global knowledge systems to operate effectively, managing a portfolio of investments and collaborations internal and external to Wellcome.

We are looking for an Open Research Specialist to join the team. 

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

In this role, you will lead and support initiatives that strengthen Open Research and Knowledge Systems, helping to make research knowledge more accessible and impactful. Your work will contribute to Wellcome’s mission by enabling wider access to evidence, data and research outputs that can improve health outcomes.

What will I be doing? 

As an Open Research Specialist, you will: 

• Lead and deliver projects that strengthen Open Research and Knowledge Systems, helping to advance Wellcome’s strategic priorities across health and research.

• Build insight into the evolving Open Research landscape, using evidence and expertise from research, industry, funding organisations and other sectors to inform strategy and decision-making.

• Collaborate with colleagues across Wellcome to embed Open Research principles into funding programmes, sharing expertise and developing effective, joined-up approaches.

• Provide specialist advice on Open Research practices, policies and digital technologies, helping teams maximise the accessibility, discoverability and reuse of research outputs.

• Manage and develop Open Research and Knowledge Systems funding and investment activities, including landscape reviews, funding calls, requests for proposals and partnerships that support innovation and impact.

• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative culture by building strong relationships, supporting colleagues and helping deliver the wider objectives of the Data Science for Health team

Is this job for me?

If you are motivated by making research more open, accessible and impactful, and have experience working across diverse stakeholder groups to deliver projects and influence change, we’d love to hear from you. You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy combining strategic thinking with practical delivery, can manage competing priorities, and are excited by the opportunity to shape how research knowledge and data are shared for the benefit of health worldwide.

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria: 

• Experience of leading and delivering complex projects, managing competing priorities and achieving high-quality outcomes to agreed deadlines, ideally within one or more of Wellcome's strategic priority areas (Climate and Health, Infectious Disease, Mental Health, Discovery Research, or Data Science for Health).

• Knowledge of Open Research practices and/or Knowledge Systems Infrastructure, including key opportunities and challenges relating to research, data sharing and equity in UK and international contexts.

• Experience of developing strategic insights by drawing on evidence, data and expertise from a range of disciplines, sectors and stakeholder groups.

• Experience of designing and managing funding, commissioning or investment activities, such as funding calls, requests for proposals (RfPs), contracts, grants or delivering digital technology projects.

• Strong communication, relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Applications Questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description? (Up to 500 words)

• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

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 [email protected]. 

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