Wellcome Trust
Senior Manager, Tools, Technology & AI
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Salary: £63,440 - £79,300
Closing date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (12 month)
Interview dates: 1st stage (5, 6 and 9 November) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face
About Wellcome
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.
About the Role
The Discovery team at Wellcome focuses on investing in people and ideas that generate new knowledge and deeper understanding of life, health and wellbeing, with the potential to transform how health challenges are identified, prevented and addressed in the future. Through initiatives such as the Discovery Research programme, Wellcome Leap and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the team supports a broad and ambitious portfolio of research, combining flexible funding, innovative programmes and world-leading research to drive meaningful, long-term impact.
A major focus of the Discovery department is to advance our ambition through investments in data, digital tools, technologies and AI as a core capability that transforms how discovery is conceived, conducted, and scaled.
We are looking for a Senior Manager, Tools, Technology & AI to join our team on a 12-month Fixed term contract.
Where in Wellcome will I be working?
This role will lead Wellcome’s work on tools, technologies, methodologies and AI within discovery research, managing strategic investments, identifying new opportunities and building partnerships across the research and innovation landscape. Working closely with colleagues across Wellcome and external stakeholders, you will help shape a coordinated approach that strengthens scientific capability, informs funding priorities and ensures Wellcome can have the greatest possible impact in areas of emerging opportunity.
What will I be doing?
As a Senior Manager, Tools, Technology & AI, you will:
- Lead Wellcome’s approach to tools, technologies, methodologies and AI across Discovery Research, shaping funding priorities, partnerships and activities that advance scientific discovery and support Wellcome’s mission.
- Identify and assess emerging opportunities through horizon scanning, landscape analysis and engagement with researchers, technologists and funders, helping Wellcome invest where it can have the greatest impact.
- Work closely with colleagues across Wellcome, including the Data for Science & Health team, to develop a coordinated approach to AI and emerging technologies and maximise our collective influence.
- Build and share insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the research community, using evidence to inform strategy, strengthen networks and support decision-making.
- Monitor and evaluate portfolio activity, using learning and data to improve Wellcome’s funding, influencing and engagement approaches and ensure our investments deliver meaningful impact.
- Foster inclusive, collaborative ways of working by bringing together people with diverse expertise, championing responsible innovation and ensuring emerging technologies can benefit researchers and communities globally.
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Is this job for me?
This role could be a great fit if you have significant experience in a research, funding, technology or innovation environment and are excited by the potential of emerging tools, technologies and AI to advance discovery research. You will bring strategic thinking, effective relationship-building skills and the ability to translate insight into meaningful action, working with a wide range of stakeholders to identify opportunities, shape priorities and contribute to impact in a fast-moving and evolving landscape.
You will be comfortable guiding complex programmes, working through ambiguity and drawing on evidence to inform judgement, with the credibility to engage researchers, funders, industry and technology partners. A PhD or equivalent research experience, alongside a good understanding of the research and innovation ecosystem, will help you thrive in this role.
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:
- A PhD or equivalent research experience, with substantial experience working in a research, funding, innovation, technology or related environment.
- Demonstrable expertise in tools, technologies, methodologies and/or AI relevant to health-related research, evidenced through the development, application, adoption, funding or strategic stewardship of these areas.
- Experience managing or coordinating complex strategic programmes, portfolios or initiatives, including identifying opportunities, shaping priorities and achieving outcomes across multiple workstreams.
- Experience working in a senior research, funding, technology or innovation role within a large organisation, such as a university, research institute, funder, government body, think tank or private sector organisation.
- Experience building and sustaining partnerships across organisations, sectors or countries, with evidence of collaborating with stakeholders from academia, industry, technology organisations, government or the research funding community.
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Application 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.
Additional Information
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
Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. 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 jobs@wellcome.org.
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