The University of Manchester is currently recruiting for two major research-focused professional positions in the United Kingdom for 2026: a Research Impact Officer within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and a Research Development Manager within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

These permanent opportunities are suitable for experienced professionals interested in research impact, Higher Education, academic research support, research funding, innovation strategy, grant development, stakeholder engagement, and institutional research management.

Both roles are based at the University of Manchester’s Oxford Road campus in Manchester, United Kingdom, and offer competitive salaries together with a range of employment benefits.

The two available positions are:

1. Research Impact Officer – Salary of £37,694 to £46,049 pro rata depending on relevant experience
2. Research Development Manager – Salary of £47,389 to £58,225 pro rata depending on relevant experience

The application deadlines are different for each role. The Research Development Manager deadline is 1 September 2026, while the Research Impact Officer deadline is 7 September 2026. Applications close at midnight on the respective closing dates.

This article explains both University of Manchester job opportunities in detail, including responsibilities, eligibility requirements, qualifications, salaries, benefits, application deadlines, and what applicants should consider before applying.

University of Manchester Jobs 2026: Overview of the Two Opportunities

The University of Manchester is offering two permanent research-related career opportunities for professionals who want to contribute to research, innovation, impact, and funding strategy.

Research Impact Officer

• Job Title: Research Impact Officer
• Job Reference: SAE-032001
• Faculty: Science and Engineering
• School/Directorate: Faculty Office – Science and Engineering
• Division/Team: FSE Research & Business Services
• Location: Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full-time
• Hours: 1 FTE
• Salary Grade: UoM Grade 6
• Salary: £37,694–£46,049 pro rata depending on relevant experience
• Application Deadline: 7 September 2026
• Closing Time: Midnight on the closing date

Research Development Manager

• Job Title: Research Development Manager
• Job Reference: BMH-032068
• Faculty: Biology, Medicine and Health
• School/Directorate: Faculty Office – Biology, Medicine and Health
• Division/Team: FBMH Research and Business Engagement Support Services
• Location: Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full-time
• Salary Grade: UoM Grade 7
• Salary: £47,389–£58,225 pro rata depending on relevant experience
• Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
• Expected Interview Date: Interviews will likely take place on 17 September 2026
• Closing Time: Midnight on the closing date

About the University of Manchester Research Opportunities

These two positions support different but closely connected aspects of research and innovation.

The Research Impact Officer role focuses strongly on helping researchers understand, develop, demonstrate, record, and communicate the wider impact of their research.

The Research Development Manager role focuses more heavily on strategic research development, relationships with funders, complex grant proposals, funding intelligence, research strategy, and increasing research income.

Both positions involve working with academic staff, professional services colleagues, and senior University stakeholders.

They are therefore particularly relevant to applicants with experience in Higher Education, research administration, research strategy, funding development, grant support, impact assessment, research communications, or related professional areas.

1. University of Manchester Research Impact Officer Job 2026

The University of Manchester is seeking a Research Impact Officer to support the development, implementation, and promotion of activities and strategies designed to accelerate research impact.

The position sits within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the FSE Research & Business Services team.

The successful candidate will help ensure that research impact and engagement are effectively incorporated into the University’s research and innovation activities.

What Does a Research Impact Officer Do?

Academic research can create benefits far beyond universities and academic publications.

Research may influence:

• Society
• Public policy
• Economic development
• Industry
• Human behaviour
• Environmental outcomes
• Public services
• Communities
• Innovation
• Organisational practices

The Research Impact Officer will help researchers identify, develop, document, and communicate these wider benefits.

This requires a combination of strategic understanding, communication ability, stakeholder engagement, organisation, and knowledge of the Higher Education research environment.

Key Responsibilities of the Research Impact Officer

Contributing to Research and Innovation Strategy

The successful applicant will contribute to the development, promotion, and implementation of both University and Faculty research and innovation strategies.

A key objective will be ensuring that impact and engagement activities are fully embedded within research and innovation work streams.

This means helping research teams think about the potential benefits and applications of their work throughout the research process.

Helping Researchers Identify Research Impact

The Research Impact Officer will support researchers in identifying the possible wider benefits of their work.

Examples provided by the University include:

• Societal impact
• Economic impact
• Behavioural impact
• Environmental impact
• Policy impact

The successful candidate will therefore help researchers understand how their work could contribute to changes outside academia.

Developing Training, Workshops and Events

The Research Impact Officer will develop and deliver:

• Training materials
• Workshops
• Events
• Research impact guidance

These activities will help researchers strengthen their understanding of research impact and improve their ability to demonstrate the significance of their work.

Strong communication and presentation skills are therefore important.

Coordinating Research Impact Evidence and Evaluation

The role also involves coordinating Faculty or University mechanisms used to:

• Record impact activities
• Review evidence
• Evaluate research impact
• Develop impact narratives
• Support internal assessment
• Support external research assessment
• Contribute to reporting
• Prepare information for award nomination exercises

This responsibility is important because research impact frequently needs to be supported by clear and credible evidence.

Supporting Research Proposals

The Research Impact Officer will work closely with academic staff, researchers, and relevant professional services teams to strengthen research proposals.

This includes drafting:

• Non-technical content
• Institutional information
• Supporting proposal material

Applicants should therefore have the ability to understand complex research-related information and communicate it clearly to both specialist and general audiences.

Essential Criteria for the Research Impact Officer

Applicants are expected to demonstrate several important requirements.

Understanding of Higher Education

Candidates should understand the context in which the University operates and demonstrate awareness of current issues affecting Higher Education.

This may include familiarity with research policy, institutional priorities, academic research environments, research assessment, research funding, or related matters.

Significant Higher Education or Equivalent Experience

Applicants should have significant experience working within a Higher Education Institution or a similar organisational environment.

This makes the opportunity particularly suitable for individuals already working in universities, research institutions, or comparable organisations.

Experience Meeting Targets and Deadlines

Candidates should have demonstrable experience of:

• Meeting operational targets
• Meeting strategic targets
• Working to deadlines
• Responding flexibly to shifting priorities

This is especially relevant in research support environments where several projects, deadlines, reporting requirements, and stakeholder needs may need to be managed simultaneously.

Excellent Communication Skills

Applicants should have excellent:

• Written communication skills
• Oral communication skills
• Ability to explain complex information
• Ability to communicate with specialist audiences
• Ability to communicate with general audiences

This is a central requirement because the role involves training, research proposals, research impact narratives, stakeholder communication, and strategic support.

Desirable Criteria for the Research Impact Officer

The University also identifies several desirable attributes.

Applicants would benefit from:

• Excellent planning skills
• Strong organisational ability
• Experience managing multiple work strands at the same time
• A degree and/or substantial equivalent relevant experience

The University states that it values transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Research Impact Officer Salary

The Research Impact Officer role is offered at University of Manchester Grade 6.

The advertised salary is:

£37,694 to £46,049 pro rata depending on relevant experience.

The salary offered to a successful applicant may depend on relevant experience and applicable University employment arrangements.

2. University of Manchester Research Development Manager Job 2026

The second available position is for a Research Development Manager within the University’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

This is a more senior Grade 7 position with a strong emphasis on research strategy, funder engagement, grant development, and increasing research funding.

The successful applicant will work closely with senior academic leadership and help shape research and innovation activities across the Faculty.

What Does the Research Development Manager Do?

The Research Development Manager will contribute to the University’s strategic research priorities and support the Faculty in securing research funding and developing research initiatives.

The role combines:

• Research strategy
• Grant development
• Funder engagement
• Funding intelligence
• Academic collaboration
• Project planning
• Business case development
• Research and innovation support

It is therefore particularly suitable for applicants with strong experience in research development, grant funding, or strategic research management.

Key Responsibilities of the Research Development Manager

Leading Research and Innovation Strategy

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development and implementation of research and innovation strategies led by the Vice Dean for Research and Innovation.

The Research Development Manager will work closely with:

• The Vice Dean for Research and Innovation
• The Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the School of Health Sciences
• Senior academic colleagues
• Faculty teams
• Central University structures

This requires an ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders and contribute to high-level strategic initiatives.

Developing Relationships with Research Funders

One of the most important responsibilities will be developing strategic relationships with funders.

The successful candidate will gather intelligence about funding bodies and understand their priorities.

This information will then be used to help researchers identify the grant competitions that may offer the strongest prospects for success.

The role therefore involves both external relationship-building and internal strategic advice.

Communicating Funding Opportunities

The Research Development Manager will identify, interpret, and communicate information and opportunities from:

• Funding bodies
• Central University sources
• Faculty sources

The successful candidate will then advise staff on funding applications with the objective of maximising research grant income.

Supporting Large and Complex Grant Proposals

Experience with major grant applications is central to this role.

Applicants should have played a substantive role in the preparation and/or evaluation of large, complex grant proposals.

The position is therefore likely to involve detailed engagement with:

• Funding requirements
• Proposal development
• Research strategy
• Application quality
• Funder priorities
• Institutional support
• Grant competitiveness

Driving Strategic Research Initiatives

The successful candidate will also help drive initiatives arising from the Faculty’s research and innovation strategies.

These initiatives must connect effectively with:

• Other Faculties
• Central University structures
• Senior academic colleagues
• Professional services teams

This requires strong organisational, collaborative, and strategic planning skills.

Developing Project Plans and Business Cases

The Research Development Manager will also develop:

• Project plans
• Business cases
• Strategic proposals

These will be prepared in collaboration with relevant colleagues.

Applicants should therefore be comfortable turning broad strategic priorities into structured, implementable activities.

Essential Criteria for the Research Development Manager

Postgraduate or PhD-Level Education

Applicants should be:

Educated to postgraduate/PhD degree level or equivalent in a relevant scientific subject.

This is listed as an essential criterion.

Experience with Large and Complex Grant Proposals

Candidates must have experience playing a substantive role in preparing and/or evaluating large, complex grant proposals.

This is a major distinction between the Research Development Manager and the Research Impact Officer positions.

Experience Increasing Research Funding

Applicants should also demonstrate experience of delivering an increase in research funding.

Candidates should therefore consider providing strong evidence of previous funding achievements or contributions to successful research development activity.

Desirable Criteria for the Research Development Manager

The University states that candidates would benefit from:

• Good knowledge of research-related software
• Experience using online research tools
• Experience using bibliometric tools
• Knowledge of research and bibliometric outputs

The University also emphasises the importance of transferable skills and real-world experience.

Which University of Manchester Role Is More Suitable for You?

Although both opportunities are related to research and Higher Education, the positions have different areas of emphasis.

Research Impact Officer May Suit You If You Have Experience In:

• Research impact
• Research engagement
• Higher Education administration
• Research culture
• Impact evidence
• Research assessment
• Academic communications
• Research proposal support
• Training researchers
• Research impact workshops
• Institutional research support

Research Development Manager May Suit You If You Have Experience In:

• Research funding
• Complex grant proposals
• Research development
• Funder relationships
• Funding intelligence
• Research strategy
• Grant evaluation
• Scientific research
• Increasing research income
• Project planning
• Business cases
• Working with senior academic leadership

Applicants should read the requirements carefully and apply for the position that most closely matches their qualifications and experience.

University of Manchester Employee Benefits

Both job advertisements highlight a range of employee benefits.

These include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 29 days annual leave
• Bank holidays
• Christmas closure
• Ride to Work scheme
• EV car scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working information and arrangements

Applicants should consult the University’s official benefits information for the full terms and conditions attached to these benefits.

Diversity, Inclusion and Different Perspectives

The University of Manchester states that it welcomes candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

The University describes itself as a place of:

• Education
• Learning
• Community
• Enquiry
• Challenge
• Debate

It also emphasises that, within the law, members of the University community can question received wisdom, express new ideas, and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions.

Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy

How to Apply for the University of Manchester Jobs 2026

Applicants should submit their applications through the official University of Manchester jobs portal.

Because these are two separate vacancies, applicants should use the appropriate job reference.

Research Impact Officer

Search using:

Job Reference: SAE-032001

Research Development Manager

Search using:

Job Reference: BMH-032068

Applicants should carefully review the full vacancy details and supporting person specification before submitting an application.

A strong application should clearly demonstrate how the candidate’s experience matches the essential criteria.

Candidates should avoid simply listing employment history and instead provide evidence of relevant achievements, responsibilities, skills, and outcomes.

Important Application Deadlines

Applicants should pay close attention to the separate closing dates.

Research Development Manager Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Research Development Manager position is 1 September 2026.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

The University states that interviews will likely take place on 17 September 2026.

Research Impact Officer Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Research Impact Officer position is 7 September 2026.

Applications also close at midnight on the closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the final day to reduce the risk of technical or last-minute submission problems.

Salary Comparison

The two positions are offered at different University salary grades.

Research Impact Officer

• Grade: UoM Grade 6
• Salary: £37,694–£46,049 pro rata depending on relevant experience

Research Development Manager

• Grade: UoM Grade 7
• Salary: £47,389–£58,225 pro rata depending on relevant experience

The Research Development Manager is therefore the higher-paid of the two positions and also carries more explicit requirements relating to postgraduate scientific education, complex grant proposals, strategic research development, and research funding.

Enquiries About the Research Impact Officer Role

For enquiries concerning the Research Impact Officer position, shortlisting, or interviews:

Chris Roberts
Email: Christopher.roberts-2@manchester.ac.uk

Enquiries About the Research Development Manager Role

For enquiries concerning the Research Development Manager position, shortlisting, or interviews:

Nicholas Hylton
Email: nicholas.hylton@manchester.ac.uk

Jessica Bowler
Email: Jessica.Bowler@manchester.ac.uk

General recruitment and administrative enquiries can be directed to the University of Manchester Recruitment Services team.

Applicants experiencing technical issues with the recruitment portal should use the official jobseeker support service provided in the vacancy announcements.

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Why These University of Manchester Jobs Are Worth Considering

These opportunities provide experienced professionals with a chance to contribute to research and innovation at a major UK university.

The Research Impact Officer role offers a career path focused on helping academic research achieve, demonstrate, and communicate meaningful benefits beyond academia.

The Research Development Manager role provides a more senior strategic opportunity focused on attracting research funding, building relationships with funders, developing major grant proposals, and supporting institutional research priorities.

Both positions are permanent and provide opportunities to work closely with academic and professional services communities.

Professionals seeking careers in research management, research development, Higher Education, grant funding, research impact, or innovation strategy may therefore find these opportunities particularly relevant.

Conclusion

The University of Manchester Jobs 2026 offer two strong permanent career opportunities for professionals seeking to work in research, Higher Education, innovation, impact, and funding.

The Research Impact Officer position within the Faculty of Science and Engineering offers a Grade 6 salary of £37,694 to £46,049 pro rata depending on relevant experience and focuses on research impact, research culture, engagement, evidence, training, and research proposal support.

The Research Development Manager role within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health offers a Grade 7 salary of £47,389 to £58,225 pro rata depending on relevant experience and focuses on research strategy, funding relationships, complex grant development, funding intelligence, project planning, and increasing research income.

Applicants interested in the Research Development Manager position must apply before midnight on 1 September 2026, while applications for the Research Impact Officer role must be submitted before midnight on 7 September 2026.

Candidates should carefully compare their academic qualifications, professional background, research experience, grant expertise, and career interests with the requirements of each role before applying through the official University of Manchester recruitment portal.

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