National Scientific Director
At HDR UK, we employ talented individuals who bring unique skills and experience to support our vision and benefit the whole team.
The National Scientific Director role is a senior scientific leadership role that is new and highly visible. We are seeking an individual with a compelling vision and strategic acumen to help guide an internationally renowned research institute that harnesses the distributed UK strengths of health and biomedical data science and informatics research.
The National Scientific Director will lead the Institute’s research programmes in a way that builds capability across the UK and creates a flourishing and dynamic health data research ecosystem.
The role has oversight of our UK Region and Driver Programme investments and will provide strategic leadership and direction for at least 300 researchers across the UK working on these programmes. The aim is to create an outward-looking and open institution that pursues a wide range of UK and international partnerships to deliver HDR UK’s mission.
The National Scientific Director will be an outstanding collaborator with the ability to inspire and influence across the research community, forging interdisciplinary expertise across the computer science, statistics, biomedical, clinical, public health and social sciences spectrum.
The role holder will have an exceptional understanding of diverse fields ranging from bioinformatics to clinical health informatics and be able to build effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders including data controllers; local, regional and national health and social care partners; academia; charities and industry.
Role profile
Scientific Leadership
- Develop and deliver the Institute’s vision with the Director, providing scientific and strategic leadership to shape and implement a world-leading organisation.
- Provide leadership, motivation and direction for our research programmes to maximise high-quality scientific delivery outcome and outputs, and ensure tight integration with the Institute’s Infrastructure and Services portfolio.
- Provide national leadership to shape and influence the research community, lead UK health and biomedical science research and align policies.
- Drive collaborative activities and develop partnerships to deliver the Institute’s mission and facilitate the rapid application of the Institute’s data science methodological research and expertise across diverse areas of biomedical, clinical and social and population research.
- Promote the Institute’s key role in UK and international informatics research to the general public, including as a media spokesperson, to inspire effective engagement and support for the use of health data and research.
- Lead an ongoing programme to develop and enhance the Institute’s strategic and scientific role in the UK and internationally, creating new opportunities to advance the discipline of health data science.
- Participate fully in strategic and five-yearly scientific reviews of the Institute and the implementation of outcomes, ensure the effective resourcing of the research programmes within delegated authority.
Organisational Leadership
- Accountable to the Director for the delivery of work areas, including budget and team management.
- Act as a thought leader, championing HDR UK’s mission, research and projects in appropriate technology and health data science related fora and conferences.
- Support and deputise for the Director as required.
Who we’re looking for
An exceptional leader with outstanding communication and collaboration skills evidenced by:
Experience
- Proven track record of international stature, vision and inspiring leadership, and delivery of international quality research in health data science.
- The ability to develop and advance an emerging research discipline.
- The ability to lead collaborative distributed enterprises and build effective stakeholder relations.
- Experience in partnership building, including health, social care, policy, government, industry and third sector organisations at scale.
- Track record of successful management and delivery of complex multi-budget environments.
- The ability to deliver a strategic plan and build on existing data infrastructure and technology assets.
- Proven track record of professional leadership and motivation, pursuing staff development and building and shaping interdisciplinary capacity at all levels.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the complexity of health and research data environments and understanding of data security and governance.
- Experience in knowledge transfer and research translation.
- Experience of public communication of science and media relations, especially the critical role of public involvement and engagement in complex issues such as the use and sharing of health and social data for research.
- Experience in implementing and operating institutional governance and administrative issues.
