The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Health and Medical Sciences Programme at Turing delivers research into the theory and methods of AI, statistics, and data analytics underpinning medical and health applications that will enable scientists to do better science, without compromising respect for privacy and patient trust.

The Health and Medical Sciences Programme is now establishing a new major long-term research theme in cell and molecular medicine. The UK is recognised as world-leading in cell and molecular biomedical research. However, the data that modern experimental methods produce is complex and requires advanced mathematical, computational and statistical methods to make the most of it. It is well established that the development of such methods is key to the future of personalised medicine. As such there is a strong need to develop advanced computational methods alongside experimental advances. Collectively, the combination of cutting-edge experiment and advanced analytics has the potential to transform our understanding of the basic biology of disease, with transformative implications across healthcare – from dissecting the causal mechanisms of disease outcomes to more precise risk prediction

We are recruiting a Theme Lead to lead development and implementation of a nationally significant research strategy in this important area. The purpose of the Theme Lead is to develop and deliver a world-leading research initiative in the area of data science for cell and molecular medicine.

This is a stand-out opportunity for an established, ambitious, academic or industrial scientist looking to take a leading national role in this important area, including establishing and strengthening national and international collaborations between the data and experimental biomedical sciences.

The successful candidate will be expected to liaise closely with the leadership of the Turing and senior external stakeholders and will be a central part of the Turing’s Health and Medical Sciences programme team, led by Director Professor Chris Holmes and Deputy Director Professor Ben MacArthur, supported by the Business Team for the programme. They will work closely with a wide range of colleagues from across the Turing and externally and will be expected to move easily between computational and experimental research communities.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Theme Lead will work closely with the leadership of the Turing and external partners to:

• Develop and oversee the delivery of an ambitious, creative and collaborative research programme in data science for cell and molecular medicine generating first class research outputs, aligned with the aims and objectives of the Institute.
• Identify, initiate and nurture partnerships with biomedical research institutes and researchers across the UK and internationally to help deliver compelling research outputs and impacts.
• Develop, deliver and coordinate the strategy for the theme with the wider Turing health programme and institutional strategies ensuring strategic links between other research and partners.
• Build capabilities in the relevant research areas and contribute to the development of the Turing health and medical sciences programme, including identifying and establishing connections from the cell and molecular biology research portfolio to other areas of research focus, such as public health and clinical data science.
• Disseminate findings at industry, academic and practitioner conferences and meetings.
• Work with Medical Sciences programme team, university members, partners and staff to maximise opportunities for translation and exploitation of methods and ideas developed through Institute’s programmes.

Please see JD for a full breakdown of duties and Person Specification.

• A PhD or equivalent research experience in mathematics, statistics, computer science or in related technical or scientific discipline.
• Excellent publication record in relevant areas in leading international conferences or journals.
• Record of excellence and significant research experience in one or more of the following areas: Applications of data science to challenging problems in biomedical research; Advanced statistical modelling for complex high-dimensional data; Modern machine learning methods with applications in cell and molecular biology.
• Leadership and strategic vision skills, especially as required in a complex, research-intensive collaboration with academic and/or industry partners.
• Ability to create and promote a collegiate and collaborative approach to research partnership activities.
• Ability to build and develop effective working relationships with external partner organisations (academia, commercial, public and third sectors), and working with a diverse set of stakeholders.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV, covering letter and contact details for your referees. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact them on 020 3970 2148 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Tuesday 19 October 2021 at 23.59

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This part time (up to 0.5 FTE, subject to negotiation) post is offered on a fixed term basis for one year. The annual salary is £67,000 to £70,000 (this will be pro-rated for part-time hours), plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits.

This opportunity is open for both direct employment and secondment from home institutions can be considered.

If you are seconded from your employer, a secondment agreement will cover salary and on-costs at the advertised rate only, plus VAT if applicable. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis to your employing University.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].