Project Coordinator

We are recruiting two experienced Project Coordinators to join the Tree of Life (ToL) Programme, supporting the delivery of world-leading biodiversity genomics research on a 2 year fixed term contract.

About The Role

You will work closely with internal and external researchers, ToL’s wide network of collaborators, and our Delivery and Operations team to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality genome sequences for species from the UK and Ireland.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Coordinating Tree of Life projects end-to-end, ensuring milestones are planned, tracked and delivered.
• Supporting programme and project managers in strategic planning and delivery.
• Acting as a central contact point, maintaining communication with stakeholders, managing project documentation, and supporting sample acquisition and reporting.
• Identifying and resolving risks, issues, and bottlenecks.
• Monitoring budgets and supporting forecasting.
• Scheduling and preparing for key meetings and reporting on progress.

Ultimately, you will help ensure projects meet quality standards, operate in a risk-managed environment, and are completed on time and within budget.

About You

You will be a proactive and motivated professional, with strong organisational skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines in a complex research environment.

Essential Technical Skills

• Science degree in a relevant subject [or equivalent]
• Understanding of the common and fundamental project management processes e.g., risk management; change control, schedules etc.
• Working in cross discipline teams in a matrix management environment
• Ability to work in a changing environment and demonstrate agile working approach
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and schedule effectively
• Demonstrate an ability to provide, receive and record both routine and highly complex communications, electronically, orally and in writing
• Ability to focus, concentrate and accurately complete tasks within given timeframes while dealing with unscheduled interruptions e.g. changing priorities
• Accurate and timely in delivery
• A high degree of computer literacy including advanced knowledge of the MS Office Suite – especially MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint and also the G-Suite of applications

Essential Competencies And Behaviours

• Demonstrates excellent networking and relationship building skills and the ability to effectively handle both internal and external partners
• Self-motivated, highly organised, able to apply own judgement when problem solving i.e. when to make a decision and when to escalate
• Can demonstrate initiative, creativity, flexibility and a personal ethos of continuous improvement
• Ability to summarise complex information and present to a wide variety of audiences in a concise and logical manner
• Demonstrates resilience during challenging periods
• Weighs and considers the overall priority of work, showing pragmatism and support towards the goals of the programme
• Can motivate and empower teams to deliver results
• Ability to mitigate conflict in diverse groups
• Results driven with a proven track record of delivering to timelines and milestones
• Manage expectations and deliver as promised

About Us

The Tree of Life Programme focuses on generating and analysing high-quality genome sequences across eukaryotic biodiversity. The programme encompasses major international collaborations including the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project, Darwin Tree of Life Project, Vertebrate Genomes Project, European Reference Genome Atlas, and the Earth BioGenome Project.

All of these projects depend on ToL’s wide network of collaborations and partnerships with global genome initiatives.

Our Programme Management and Operations (PM&O) team provides essential support in research administration, sample management, and project management, enabling Faculty science to scale and deliver globally impactful research in biodiversity genomics.

Application Process

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter explaining your motivation for applying and how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria.

• Salary per annum: £32,013 to £37,000 dependent upon skills and experience
• Project and Change Management job family: Grade 3 Role profile
• Recruitment Process: Shortlisting w/c 15th Sept, Interviews w/c 22nd Sept
• Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract
• Closing Date: 14th September 2025

Hybrid Working At Wellcome Sanger

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.