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 21 Sept 2026

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.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.