Policy Lead, Data and Technology Policy for Science

Salary:87500

Closingdate:27 April 2026

Contracttype:Permanent

Interviewdates:1ststage(w/c4 May 2026) online/remote

Wellcomeisaglobalcharitablefoundation.Weimprovehealthforeveryonebyfundingscienceleadingpolicyandadvocacycampaignsandbuildingpartnerships.

Weplantospend16bnoverthenexttenyearsfundingnewdiscoveriesinlifehealthandwellbeingandtakingonthreeglobalhealthchallenges:mentalhealthinfectiousdiseaseandclimateand health.

WearelookingforaPolicy Lead Data and Technology Policy for SciencetojoinourScience Policy LabsTeam.

WhereinWellcomewillIbeworking

Youll beaLeadspecialist in thegrowing Science Policy Labs teamatWellcome working to improve the ways that governments and institutions enable and support science for greatest public benefit. Thechallengeswe work on includeimprovingthe conditions for discovery and designing a thriving future UK R&D system; shaping the global governance of science for effective collaboration andequitableimpact; and ensuring policy keeps pace with discovery to drive rapid and responsible progress.Youllalsocollaborateacross the organisation withexpertssupporting and fundingopen science and data science for health.

WhatwillIbedoing

You willleverageyourpublicpolicyexpertisein data and technology for science todesign and deliver Science Policy Labs initiatives thatadvanceWellcomesmission. Your role will enhanceWellcomesinfluence on research and health/biodata governancein the UK and globally-developing andpromotinginnovativesolutionsthat support scientific progress collectivebenefitandequitablehealth outcomes.

Asa Policy Lead Data and Technology Policy for Scienceyou will:

• Develop a vision for globalresearchdata governance compatible withWellcomesmission addressing the challenges of open datafor sciencein a rapidly changing technological and geopoliticallandscapeand developing actionable strategiesto achieve it.

• Lead policy analysis and influence projects-includingto supportWellcomeand partnersto realisethe potential of the new UK Health Data Research Servicea once in a generation initiative to create a single secure gateway to health and care data for research.

• Build consensus on legislation regulation and standards for scientific and health data and technology policy to influence UK and global debates includingin relation togenomics and AI.

• Design and leadpolicyresearch projectsdevising effective research strategies building effective partnershipsandgenerating novel evidence and analysis.

• Provide expertinsight andstrategic advice on UK and global data policy and geopolitical developmentsimpactingresearch dataand open science.

• Contribute to the Science Policy Labs agendaand help build a thriving team positioningWellcomeat the forefront of science policythinkingandcreating rigorousinfluentialandtimelypolicyinterventionsand creative solutions.

• Manage formal and informal collaborative teams as and ensure compliance value for money quality timeliness and real-world impact of data and technology policy workstream outputs.

Isthisjobforme

Yourdeepexpertisein data and technology policyfor sciencespans health data research ecosystems and open science.You are motivated by tackling complex systemic challengesand building productive collaborations. Youare as comfortable shaping long-term strategyand spotting and clarifying opportunities for influence and impactas you are delivering tangible policy outcomes.Your superb communication skills allow you totranslateacross technical and policy domainsandturncomplex issues into clear compellingpolicy positions.

You are motivated to be the lead expert within a team and to draw on yourownrichrelevantprofessional networksinthis role.Above all youllbe motivated by the opportunity for impact in this role andyoulldraw on yourpreviousexperience to set priority goals andthe strategies toachieve them being comfortable with experimentation andexhibitinga bias for action.

ToforthisrolepleasesubmitanupdatedCVandanswer2applicationquestionstodemonstratethatyoumeettheminimumrequirementsfortherole.

MinimumCriteria:

• Expertisein data and technology policy for science such as data sharing interoperability licensing IP standards or public interest business models particularly where relevant to scientific research.

• Strong understanding and preferably direct experienceof open science challenges includingequitableaccess andbenefit sharingfinancialsustainabilityof data infrastructure sovereigntytrustand security.

• Strong working knowledge ofhealthresearch data ecosystems including trusted research environments federated data systems and large-scale datasets (e.g. clinical cohort genomic or epidemiological data).

• Experience influencingpublicpolicy at national or international level including working withsenior stakeholders ingovernments regulators or multilateral organisationsto achieve change.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage both specialist and non-specialist audiencesthrough writing and speakingand create clarity in complexity.

• Established networkswithin data and technology policy for science including in relation to health data and open science.

Youcanviewthefulljob description here -Policy Lead Data and Technology policy for Science.

Youcanreadmoreabouttheexcellentbenefitsweofferouremployeesonourwebsite.

OurHybridWayofWorking

Weunderstandthatourcolleagueshavecommitmentsandpersonalinterestsoutsideofworkandwestrivetobuildaflexibleworkingenvironmentinwhichpeoplecanperformattheirbest.Wearecurrentlyworking3daysperweek(TuesdayWednesdayandThursday)fromourEustonRoadoffices(aspartofourhybridWaysofWorking)withtheremaining2daysworkingeitherremotelyorintheoffice.

DiversityandInclusionisattheheartofeverythingwedo

DiversityandInclusionisapriorityatWellcome.Wearecommittedtocultivatingafairandinclusiveenvironmentwhereeveryonecanbethemselvesandthrive.Wearehappytodiscussflexibleworkingoptionsforallroles.Weworktoensurethatourrecruitmentprocessesareasinclusiveaspossibletoeveryone.Thisincludesmakingadjustmentsforpeoplewhohaveadisabilityorlong-termcondition.

Pleasevisitourwebsiteformoreinformationonadjustmentsandaccessibilityorcontactusat

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