Portfolio Manager

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), UKRI
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Band: UKRI Band D
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months parental leave)
Hours:  Full Time and Part Time will be considered (minimum 0.8 FTE, flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available
Closing Date: 1 Sept 2026
Interviews: w/c 28 Sept 2026

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the role

BBSRC are seeking to recruit Portfolio Managers to join our Bioscience Advancing Knowledge Directorate. The team leads BBSRC’s applicant-led investments, championing curiosity-driven, researcher-led discovery and empowering the research community to pursue bold, high-risk ideas across the breadth of bioscience.

The role will focus on delivering peer review and awarding applications from the academic community that advance knowledge and address major bioscience challenges. You will also give to the development of portfolio insight, enabling BBSRC to take a more strategic, evidence-led approach to supporting its portfolio of investigator-led investments. In addition, you will help build and embed knowledge of best practice in peer review, strengthening UKRI’s ability to deliver funding through efficient, proportionate, and fit-for-purpose peer review.

We are seeking individuals with an understanding of the life sciences and a strong interest in working with universities, research organisations, and businesses in both UK and international contexts.

Your responsibilities:

• By developing and utilising knowledge on the work of BBSRC, and the research and innovation it supports, your main job roles will include:
• Leading the grant application, assessment, and award processes for BBSRC investment activities; providing oversight on the peer review of applications and managing expert assessment panels.
• Organising and leading the delivery of peer review meetings, ensuring that all applications are assessed fairly and robustly.
• Building and using your knowledge of UKRI’s funding programmes and policies to provide advice and guidance to the research and innovation community and internal colleagues on how to apply for grants, funding policies and peer review processes.
• Building and utilising your knowledge of best practice in funding processes to give to the ongoing continuous improvement of funding application, assessment, and award processes; and supporting the office and research community throughout the implementation of changes.
• Developing and applying insight into BBSRC’s applicant-led portfolio to support portfolio management approaches where appropriate, effective monitoring of grant investments, and communication of the outcomes and impact of applicant-led investment strategy.
• Collaborating with BBSRC colleagues on the development and creation of new funding calls.
• Providing advice and outreach to the research and innovation community, and other partners, on BBSRC’s funding programmes, processes, and policies; and helping to develop a clear narrative on applicant-led investments to demonstrate how they advance knowledge, improve lives, and drive economic growth.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential:

• Holds a degree in a biological or related subject, and/or have previous relevant professional experience (S).
• A demonstrable interest in, and understanding of the aims and objectives of BBSRC (S&I).
• An ability to plan and prioritise your work, manage a range of activities and meet deadlines (S&I).
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in teams with colleagues and external partners (S&I).
• Effective communication skills including the ability to produce clear and well-structured documents and presentations for internal and external audiences (S&I).
• Effective analytical skills with the ability to analyse data and derive significant information accurately and responsibly (S).
• Willingness to travel in the UK and internationally and work for a minimum of 40 - 60% of your time in Polaris House, Swindon (S).

About hybrid working

We support a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at other UK locations.

BBSRC staff will be assigned to Tier 2 meaning a standard expectation of 40–60% onsite attendance (pro-rated against working time) including those hosted by BBSRC. This will come into effect on 1st October 2026.

At times, this may involve overnight stays and/or occasional work outside of standard office hours.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. Committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected]

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [email protected]. 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.