Trustee
Medical Research Foundation
Central London
Voluntary basis, with reasonable expenses reimbursed
The Medical Research Foundation holds a unique place in the UK’s research ecosystem. As the charitable foundation of the Medical Research Council, we are a broad-based research funding, fundraising charity with the rare freedom to support work on any health condition, anywhere in the world. Thanks to the generosity of the public and strength of our strategic partnerships, we lay the foundations for ground-breaking new discoveries and life-changing advances by investing in the most promising ideas and the research leaders who will shape tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
Our history is long, and our ambition is even longer. We believe passionately in the power of medical research, and the people behind it, to make a lasting difference to health.We want everyone to benefit from scientific breakthroughs, not just today but for generations to come.
This is an exciting time for the Foundation as we enter the third year of our five-year Organisational strategy, Giving hope though life-changing medical research and we are on target to spend around £25 million in new research in areas of health that are overlooked and underfunded. We are focusing on: i) children and young people’s health; ii) neglected mental health conditions; iii) the impact of climate change on health; and iv) emerging health threats and research opportunities. Our researchers are making a real difference to the lives of those living with health conditions that would otherwise be ignored.
THE ROLE
This is a fantastic opportunity to use your fundraising expertise to champion life-changing research and give hope to people with debilitating, overlooked health conditions. We are looking for an established fundraiser with extensive experience in major gifts and of engaging and stewarding High Net Worth donors to help strengthen the Board and support the Chief Executive and Fundraising Director around high-level advocacy. You don’t need to have specific experience of working with research funders, but you will bring significant experience of engaging with industry and philanthropic institutions and will be a strong communicator able to engage with a wide range of audiences at the highest levels.
You will join a charity supported by an engaged and collaborative Board of Trustees, and an outstanding executive team, and a highly professional and committed wider team.We work alongside: independent Expert Review Panels; our parent organisation, the UK Medical Research Council; and an emerging community of lived experience experts and a network of researchers around the world whose work we are proud to fund.
INFORMATION
Download the candidate brief to find out about the role.
DOWNLOADHow to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides).
- A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that sets out why you think this role is right for you and how you meet the brief.
We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.
Recruitment timeline
Closing date: Friday 4th September 2026
Preliminary interviews online: w/c 14th and w/c 21st September 2026
Final Panel interviews in person: Tuesday 6th October 2026