Research funding organisations play a central role in shaping research agendas, supporting innovation, and influencing how research delivers impact. Many roles within this space draw directly on academic and research experience.

This panel brings together professionals working in major research funding organisations, including individuals who previously worked in academic research. Panelists will share how they moved into research funding roles, what their work involves day to day, and how they apply their research background in a funding context.

The session will showcase some of the career paths available within research funders, the skills and experience that are valued, and what to consider when preparing for a career in this space. There will be time for questions and discussion.

This event is aimed at PhD students and research staff who are interested in careers beyond academic research and want to understand opportunities within research funding organisations.

Panellists

Dr. Janina Pescinski, Training and Development Manager for The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network, The British Academy

Dr Nikolay Ogryzko, Research and Innovation Careers Policy, UKRI

Dr Sarah Ball, Head of Strategic Research Development, RDM, University of Oxford

Having completed my PhD at the University of Edinburgh, I pursued an academic career doing my postdoctoral research at the University of Queensland and then moving to the University of Texas as an Assistant Professor to start my own research group. After a period of reflection, I decided to make the transition from academic research to a career in research funding and strategy. Whilst initially this was a daunting move, it is one that I have always been glad that I made. I have had the opportunity to work in a range of roles first in BBSRC and later UKRI, where I gained experience of managing peer review processes for responsive mode funding opportunities, the development and implementation of strategic funding programmes, scientific strategy and policy development. I even had the opportunity to work on the service design for a large digital project. Nearly three years ago, I left UKRI and joined the University of Oxford as Head of Strategic Research Development in the Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM). In my current role, I lead RDM’s Research Strategy and Funding Team and together we support researchers in RDM to apply for internal and external funding opportunities. I also work closely with the Head of Department to deliver a range of strategic activities to achieve RDM’s research strategy.

This event is part of:

Careers Beyond Academia: Options and Pathways for Researchers
The careers conference for Oxford University research staff and DPhil students
Monday 23 March – Thursday 26 March 2026 online and in-person in Oxford. The careers fair will take place at the Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road, OX2 6PA. Register for the fair here