What does a fractional research officer cost?

Day rates typically range from 900-1400 GBP depending on specialization and scope.

How do I evaluate research officer candidates?

Assess research leadership, grant success, commercialization track record, and industry knowledge.

What qualifications matter most?

PhD plus industry experience, grant funding success, and technology transfer examples.

How long are typical engagements?

Research engagements typically run 6-18 months for program establishment.

What does a fractional research officer cost?

Day rates typically range from 900-1400 GBP depending on specialization and scope.

How do I evaluate research officer candidates?

Assess research leadership, grant success, commercialization track record, and industry knowledge.

What qualifications matter most?

PhD plus industry experience, grant funding success, and technology transfer examples.

How long are typical engagements?

Research engagements typically run 6-18 months for program establishment.

Hire a Fractional Chief Research Officer

Complete guide to hiring fractional research leadership

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

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Key Takeaways

1Fractional CROs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, depending on experience and sector
3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods

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When to Hire a Fractional CRO (Research)

Quick Definition

Consider a fractional Chief Research Officer when launching R&D initiatives, seeking research grants, or commercializing innovations. Ideal for companies needing senior research expertise without full-time executive cost.

What to Look For

Evaluate candidates on research program management, grant acquisition success, commercialization experience, and academic-industry bridge building. Look for published work and successful technology transfers.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	What to Assess	Red Flags
Research Leadership	Team management and program delivery	Only individual contributor role
Grant Success	Funding acquisition track record	No grant experience
Commercialization	Technology transfer and licensing	Pure academic focus
Industry Knowledge	Market applications of research	Disconnected from business needs

Interview Questions

Ask about their research portfolio management approach, grant success rate, technology commercialization examples, and how they balance pure and applied research.

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Cost Comparison

Fractional vs Full-Time Executive

Full-Time Executive£286k/year

Salary + Benefits + Overhead

Fractional Executive£106k/year

1-2 days/week average

Your Potential Savings

£180k+

63%

saved

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Time Allocation

How fractional executives spend their time

Strategy30%

Operations25%

Leadership20%

Governance15%

Technology10%

Hire a Fractional CRO (Chief Research Officer)

A fractional Chief Research Officer provides senior R&D leadership for research-intensive companies in biotech, pharma, deep-tech, and academic spin-outs without the cost of a full-time research executive.

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Why Hire a Fractional CRO?

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Research strategy: Experienced R&D leaders who prioritise and focus programmes

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Funding success: Grant writing and investor presentation expertise

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Regulatory navigation: MHRA, EMA, and FDA submission experience

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IP commercialisation: Patent strategy and licensing expertise

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What a Fractional CRO Delivers

Deliverable	Timeline
Research portfolio review & prioritisation	Weeks 1-4
R&D strategy & milestone planning	Weeks 4-8
Funding applications & investor materials	Weeks 8-12
Scientific advisory & governance	Ongoing

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Typical Engagement Models

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Strategic: 1-2 days/week for R&D governance and direction

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Programme: 2-3 days/week for specific research programmes

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Advisory: Half day/week for scientific advisory and guidance

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CRO Salary Guide

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Fractional CTO Jobs UK

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CSO Salary Guide

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UK Fractional Jobs

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Fractional Recruitment Agency

UK Fractional Executive Day Rates

Compare day rates across C-suite roles

CFO£800 - £1500/day

£1100

CTO£900 - £1600/day

£1200

CMO£750 - £1400/day

£1000

COO£800 - £1400/day

£1050

CDO£900 - £1450/day

£1150

CISO£900 - £1550/day

£1200

Rate Range

Average

Source: UK Market Data 2025

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Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time

Choose the right engagement model

Aspect	Fractional	Interim	Full-Time
Time Commitment	1-3 days/week	4-5 days/week	5 days/week
Duration	Ongoing/flexible	3-12 months	Permanent
Annual Cost	£50-150k	£150-300k	£200-400k+
Best For	SMEs, startups, scale-ups	Crisis, transitions	Large enterprises
Flexibility	★★★ High	★★☆ Medium	★☆☆ Low

Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.

Calculate Your Day Rate

Fractional CMO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

Your Day Rate

£900

£600Avg: £900£1500

Days Per Client/Week

2.5 days

1 day5 days

Number of Clients

2 clients

Weekly

£4,500

Monthly

£19,485

Annual

£216,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CMO UK average day rate: £900.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

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