Research Programme Manager

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.

Research Programme Manager (Research Data Strategy)

Salary : GBP46,000 - GBP54,000 depending on experience

Reports to : Head of Research Data Strategy

Department : Research & Innovation

Contract : Permanent

Hours : Full time 35 hours per week (other flexible-working requests will also be considered)

Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 1-2 days per week)

Closing date : Thursday 9th May at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.

Interviews to be held on Friday 24th May.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That's why we're looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Research Programme Manager to lead on developing and managing the Research Data Strategy portfolio: a suite of activities that support the cancer research community taking a data-driven approach to their research, to drive forward the field of cancer data science and use of large-scale data. The role includes scientific strategy development, research community-building, research management, evaluation, and communications (major projects can be tailored to suit the post-holder's skills and interests).

About the Research Data Strategy

We believe that the use of large-scale data using data science, including AI, will accelerate CRUK's ambition to beat cancer sooner. CRUK's Research Data Strategy was launched in summer 2022 and sets out our ambition in cancer research driven by big data and data science, that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with this approach to cancer research. Since then we have launched:

• GBP5m programme in data-driven research for children and young people's cancers.
• GBP2.5m cancer data science network with several newly-appointed leads for communities of special interest in health systems data, spatial biology data, careers and training, diversity and involvement, infrastructure, data and samples re-use etc.
• trusted research programme comprising a secure data platform and advisory service to help researchers gain access to health system data.
• 'data champions' scheme to support our standing funding committees consider cutting edge data science proposals.
• our data-driven cancer research conference attended by over 300 colleagues from across the research community.

In the coming months and years we are planning: a spatial biology data hackathon; to develop a training initiative to attract, retain and upskill cancer data scientists in academia; phase 2 of the data-driven research programme for cancer in children and young people's cancer, to name a subset of our plans.

The Research Data Strategy aims to catalyse CRUK's progress in all aspects of its Research Strategy - prevention, detection, treatment, as well as discovery science.

What will I be doing?

• Working alongside the Head of Research Data Strategy in developing new activities to deliver the ambitions of the Research Data Strategy.
• Delivering the existing core portfolio of data initiatives (e.g. by providing leadership for the newly appointed leads of our various communities of special interest as part of the cancer data network), and support delivery of the wider data portfolio being led by colleagues in teams and directorates across the charity, e.g. research operations; policy and influencing; cancer intelligence (particularly the trusted research environment programme team); commercial, corporate and other strategic partnerships, including international; training and careers; communications; philanthropy etc.
• Ensuring patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and equality and diversity is embedded in all aspects of the Research Data Strategy portfolio and considered as part of the decisions taken, alongside our Public Involvement Lead.
• Delivering an effective governance structure for the Research Data Strategy both internally (e.g. by providing secretariat and strategic direction for the Data Steering Committee) and externally (e.g. by providing secretariat and strategic direction for the Data Advisory Board), including appropriate reporting metrics and review processes.
• Developing an understanding of CRUK's data science portfolio and act as a point of knowledge and expertise in the data portfolio, as well as an advocate for data science being a key type of research that CRUK supports across our funding streams. The post holder may have the opportunity to train for a Data Science Apprenticeship to top up skills in this area.
• Building and maintaining effective engagement with organisations involved in cancer data science, and managing key relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

What skills are we looking for?

Essential:

• Educated to at least degree level in a science or health-related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in a relevant academic, industrial and/or research funding/management setting.
• Sound understanding of the data-driven biomedical research and funding landscape in the UK.
• Proven track record of leading on, managing, and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects successfully.
• Relevant experience of working with, coordinating, and influencing senior researchers and other senior stakeholders.
• Ability to lead a complex programme of work whilst maintaining links with relevant internal and external teams.
• Ability to work with many stakeholders, with at times conflicting needs and manage challenging scenarios.
• Proven ability to form strong, positive collaborative relationships at all levels of seniority and motivate action in individuals who do not report to you.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification (preferably in a biomedical or relevant scientific subject).
• Knowledge of cancer research generally, or data science specifically.
• Confident in developing clarity when confronted with complex and shifting circumstances.
• Sound understanding of project and reputational risk, and confidence to escalate issues as appropriate.
• Sound understanding of the data science research and funding landscape.
• Experience of matrix management/coordination of teams of staff who are not your direct reports.
• Budget management experience.

What will I gain?

Every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that's impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies, and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don't forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work - from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy - will change the world. It's exciting to be part of our team.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.