Smith+Nephew
Senior R&D Manager

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Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.
As a Senior R&D Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of advanced wound care. Based at our Hull site, this is a highly influential leadership position where your expertise will drive innovation, guide talented scientific teams and help bring complex medical devices from concept through to manufacture. If you are motivated by meaningful work, scientific excellence and real world patient impact, this is a role where your experience will truly matter.
What will you be doing?
You will be a recognised development leader, providing strategic direction across multiple wound dressing and drug device combination programmes. Working at the heart of New Product Development, you will lead and inspire a team of scientists, guiding them through the full development lifecycle from early design and materials selection, through prototyping, testing and design for manufacture.
Your days will balance hands on technical leadership with people development, cross functional collaboration and external engagement. You will ensure robust design control, risk management and regulatory compliance, contributing to Design History Files and supporting successful design transfer into manufacturing. Alongside this, you will work closely with system engineering, operations, regulatory and quality partners to unlock technical challenges and keep programmes moving forward.
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I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
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Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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What will you need to be successful?
Success in this role comes from combining deep technical expertise with strong leadership and strategic thinking. You will bring:
Extensive experience in medical device development, with a strong understanding of the full product development lifecycle, ideally within wound dressings and drug device combinations Proven capability to lead, coach and develop scientific teams, creating an environment where high performance and innovation can thrive Strong knowledge of risk management, design control, change control and quality systems within regulated environments such as ISO 13485, EU MDR and FDA regulations The confidence to provide strategic technical direction, engage with senior stakeholders and work effectively with external partners and suppliers
You. Unlimited.
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our Strongest investments are in our people and patients we serve.


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Inclusion and Belonging: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website (www.smith-nephew.com)
Your Future: Generous annual bonus and pension Schemes, Save As You Earn share options.
Work/Life Balance: Flexible Vacation and Time Off, Paid Holidays and Paid Volunteering Hours, so we can give back to our communities!
Your Wellbeing: Private Health and Dental plans, Healthcare Cash Plans, Income Protection, Life Assurance and much more.
Flexibility: Hybrid Working Model (For most professional roles).
Training: Hands On, Team Customised, Mentorship.
Extra Perks: Discounts on Gyms and fitness clubs, Salary Sacrifice Bicycle and Car Schemes and many other Employee discounts
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