UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences

Job Description
UCL ACED Programme Grade: 8
(Funding availability up to spine point 43)
Manager
Full time: 1FTE/ 36.5 hours per week

Duration: 18 months in the first instance

Starting on 1st June 2026

Department: Division of Surgery Location: Bloomsbury / hybrid

and Interventional Science working

Reports to
Clinical Academic Professor Consultant: Professor Mark Emberton.

Context
The International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) is an international partnership established
in 2019 with members including Cancer Research UK, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, The University of
Manchester, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University College London, Knight Cancer
Institute at OHSU and The University of Cambridge.
ACED exists to unite world-leading researchers across disciplines, centres and countries to tackle the
biggest challenges in cancer early detection. Earlier detection of cancer offers the greatest potential for
improving patient outcomes. ACED is uniting world-leading Institutions in the UK and US to support
collaboration, innovation and training across the Alliance Centres and the wider early detection
community.
The postholder will be based in the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science they will also
work closely with stakeholders in other UCL Divisions and Institutes, such as the UCL Cancer Institute,
the UCL Division of Medicine, UCL Engineering, UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health, UCL EGA
Institute for Women’s Health, and others.

The UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary
environment where clinicians, engineers, allied health professionals and researchers are constantly
striving for innovative approaches to treatment. This includes developing highly effective methods
which go beyond the boundaries of conventional wisdom and treating each patient as an individual.

As a world leader in medical and biomedical research we are able to see at first-hand the directions in
which medicine and science are moving and where patient and industry needs are growing. This

[Link]
knowledge ensures that we are producing and teaching some of the most innovative courses for
clinicians and scientists across the world. Additionally, our cutting-edge research expertise ensures
that the latest techniques are taught using the most advanced equipment.

The Division reaches across three London campuses (Bloomsbury, Royal Free and Stanmore) bringing
together three major research departments: Surgical Biotechnology, Targeted Intervention, and
Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Science. These departments house world class research centres,
specialising in many different surgical and interventional specialities.

The Division offers innovative teaching in a wide range of clinical subjects at BSc, intercalated BSc, MSc
and PhD level for both clinicians and non-clinicians. These courses are led by international experts and
provide a truly research-based learning experience delivered by some of the greatest minds in science
and medicine today.
The Division holds a Silver award for the Athena Swan Charter which recognizes advancement of gender
equality and aims for representation, progression and success for all. Further information on the
Division can be found at [Link]

Main purpose of the job

▪ The ACED Programme Manager provides dedicated operational and strategic leadership and
management to support delivery of ACED research, training and capacity-building activities.
The role requires working in a collaborative environment with academic and professional
services teams to support Alliance projects, reporting, financial management,
communications and stakeholder engagement across multiple institutions.
▪ The role will have a particular focus on management of the ACED training programme
including leading the development and delivery of training initiatives and funding schemes
across multiple international centres.
Duties and responsibilities
▪ Management and support of ACED research, training and infrastructure activities at UCL,
working in partnership with Programme Managers at other ACED Centres and Cancer
Research UK to ensure timely delivery of milestones.
▪ To be the conduit for communication between UCL clinicians and researchers and the wider
ACED partners and CRUK, responding promptly and accurately to information requests from
colleagues within UCL and external stakeholders.
▪ Working with the UCL ACED Centre Director and Deputy Director, to manage and coordinate
ACED activity at UCL including communication to UCL researchers and liaison between UCL
academic and professional service teams and CRUK to support ACED initiatives.
▪ Overall responsibility for management of UCL ACED Centre finances, working with the UCL
Director to ensure expenditure in accordance with the terms of the award, liaising with
colleagues in other UCL Institutes and Divisions and Professional Services teams as
appropriate.
▪ To work with the ACED Director of Training to support delivery of the ACED training
programme including organisation and coordination of dedicated early detection training

2
 courses and teaching sessions, working with Programme Managers at other ACED Centres to
support ACED training goals.
▪ To lead on the operational delivery of ACED training funding schemes, working with ACED
partners to develop and coordinate timelines, documentation and selection processes for
training grants to support PhD students and early career researchers across the ACED
centres.
▪ To communicate ACED training and funding opportunities, events and scientific and clinical
outputs in partnership with UCL and external communications teams.
▪ To liaise with UCL Faculty of Medical Science communications to ensure the UCL ACED
webpages are maintained with relevant and up to date information.
▪ To plan and support governance meetings, in liaison with the UCL Centre Director, including
drafting and circulation of agendas and minutes in a timely fashion.
▪ To coordinate and draft documents, including the ACED annual report to the ACED Executive
Board and CRUK to ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions and delivered on
time.
▪ To attend and support preparation for ACED meetings, events and conferences, which may
require international travel.
▪ To ensure that ACED funded research achievements are adequately represented and
publicised internally and externally.
▪ Maintain strong networking and engagement with clinicians and researchers across UCL and
the wider ACED partners to maximise engagement and participation in early detection
initiatives.

General
▪ Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working.
▪ Takes responsibility to carry out duties in a way that embodies UCL's environmental and
social sustainability values, actively supporting UCL's Sustainability Strategy, policies and
objectives within the remit of their role.
▪ Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the
line manager.
▪ This job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the
post holder.
▪ UCL offers hybrid working where appropriate and the successful applicant may normally
work remotely for up to 60% of the week if they wish.

3
Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your
application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be
scored on how you meet each criteria.
Assessment method
(Application form/
Essential Criteria
Interview / Practical
Test)
Qualifications, experience and knowledge
Educated to postgraduate degree level, or have substantial relevant research
experience, in a scientific discipline relevant to early detection research, for example
Application
but not limited to: life and biomedical sciences, computer science, engineering,
epidemiology, public health sciences, mathematics.
A clear understanding of the organisational culture of a large research-intensive
Application/Interview
university (or similar research organisation).
Knowledge of project management methodologies and demonstrated experience of
Application/Interview
successfully managing multiple or complex scientific projects.
Evidence of organising and co-ordinating a programme of meetings, seminars and/or
Application/Interview
events for a broad range audience across multiple institutions.
Experience of effective budget management and financial reporting. Application/Interview
Clear understanding of the process and requirements for submitting research
Application/Interview
funding applications or managing a research funding scheme.
A commitment to accuracy and attention to detail, with demonstrable problem-
Application/Interview
solving skills.
Skills and abilities
Excellent oral and written communication skills and proven ability to draft and
Application/Interview
proofread reports on complex issues to a broad range of audiences.
Proven ability to develop effective working relationships, outside of formal line
management structures, with scientific researchers and professional services Application/Interview
colleagues at all levels of seniority as well as external stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and capable of understanding and analysing scientific
Application/Interview
research proposals across the broad remit of early detection of cancer research.
Excellent IT skills and proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications. Application/Interview
Ability to work independently, managing and prioritising own workload, ensuring that
Application/Interview
you remain a full and effective team member.
Ability to be discrete and maintain confidentiality in accordance with current Data
Application/Interview
Protection legislation.
UCL Ways of Working
Responding proactively and appropriately to the needs of colleagues, staff, students
Application/Interview
and partners.
Keeping colleagues, students, partners and wider communities informed. Application/Interview
Managing multiple projects, leading regular reviews and making changes where
Application/Interview
necessary.
Desirable Criteria Assessment method

4
 (Application form/
Interview / Practical
Test)
PhD and subsequent post-doctoral research experience in a scientific discipline
Application
related to cancer early detection research
Experience in developing and delivering scientific training programs in a higher
Application/Interview
education setting.
Commitment to and knowledge of advancing equality, diversity and inclusion Application

Apply
To apply for this position visit:

[Link]/jobs

For an informal conversation about the role,

please contact
Prof. Mark Emberton at
[Link]@[Link]
Aleks Gentry at
[Link]-maharaj@[Link]

For queries about the recruitment and

application process, please contact the Staffing
Manager on [Link]@[Link]