Associate Director, Health Data Research UKTuring PhD Programme in Health Data Science

Job Description

Location: FlexibleContract: Fixed-term (three-years), part-time (0.2 FTE). Secondments are welcome.Reporting to: HDR UK Training Programme DirectorAbout HDR UKHealth Data Research UK (HDR UK) is the national Institute for data science in health. Our UK team of experts develop and apply cutting-edge data science approaches to clinical, biological, genomic and other multi-dimensional health data to address the most pressing health research challenges facing the public. Our mission is to make game-changing improvements in the health of patients and populations through data science research and innovation.For the first time we are bringing together our unique nationwide data assets and specialists across academia, research and healthcare to unlock knowledge and deliver new insights from molecule to man. By undertaking research at scale, across a population of up to 65 million people, we have an unrivalled opportunity to use data to the highest ethical standards to drive breakthroughs in medical research. This unleashes the potential to improve the way we are able to prevent, detect and diagnose diseases such as cancer, heart disease and asthma.At Health Data Research UK, we employ talented individuals who bring their own unique skills and experience to support the vision and benefit the whole team. Purpose of the postThe Health Data Research UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science ( is a national PhD programme involving seven partner UK universities. Its mission is to provide an innovative framework for doctoral training in health data science that seeks to develop the future leaders that will address HDRUKs national research priorities. The PhD programme will recruit 8-10 outstanding students per year for five years between 2020-25 from a quantitative background with interests across data science methodology and its applications. The PhD programme forms part of HDR UKs vision for Talent and Training is to bring together and train our community of 10,000 health data scientists to work with diverse health data safely and securely so they can transform lives.HDRUK are seeking to appoint a part-time Associate Director to provide leadership for the PhD programme under the mentorship of the Programme Director and in conjunction with academic representatives from our partner universities. We are particularly interested in an Associate Director who can provide expertise in either Artificial Intelligence (encompassing machine learning, computational statistics, etc) or the Biomedical and Clinical Sciences.In addition to their role as Associate Director to the PhD programme, we would expect the successful applicant to support the wider HDR UK training team with both subject matter expertise and contribution to the development of the strategy.The role is likely to be attractive to early-career academics with a strong interest in developing high-quality, novel and innovative postgraduate research training programme. Candidates should display innovative and disruptive thinking and seek to experiment with new training and recruitment ideas and initiatives that will enable the programme to be at the forefront of PhD training. The candidate is likely to be seeking to develop their career profile within the UK Health Data Research landscape with the support of their university. The candidate does not need to be based at the seven partner universities.We are particularly welcoming of applicants with diverse backgrounds (including geography).Main Responsibilities To lead the development of innovative PhD training initiatives within the HDRUK PhD Programme, To design and deliver a four-day training week annual on a subject relevant to their academic profile, To provide regular mentoring and support for HDRUK PhD students, To attend and, where required, chair the management and other operational meetings, To attend and, where required, chair the University Leads Meetings (or equivalent), To chair annual recruitment short-listing and interview panels, To annually review student progress during the PhD programme, To substitute for, or act on behalf of, the Programme Director as a representative of the HDRUK PhD Programme when required. To contribute to the wider HDR UK training strategyEligibilityCandidates must: hold a substantive academic position (e.g. lecturer or above) at a UK university, have a contract of employment at their university that extends up to 2025 or beyond, have the written support of their university before applying (an institutional supporting letter will be required for the application).Knowledge, Skills, and Experience: Candidates should: Have strong academic training and a research background in either (i) artificial intelligence or the (ii) biomedical/clinical sciences (or related allied subjects) linked to health data science, Possess a sustained record of peer-reviewed academic research output in a field of expertise relevant to HDRUK research priorities, Have prior experience of postgraduate teaching or research training consummate with their career stage, Possess excellent time management and organisational skills, Demonstrate an ability to manage and lead complex multi-stakeholder collaborations and understand the principles of team science, Demonstrate the ability to develop, plan and deliver training activities, Be able to critically evaluate and develop training programme improvement strategies based on feedback, Have an understanding of issues relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the application of these to student recruitment.The following is desired but not essential: Have supervised doctoral students in either their current or prior employment, Actively participated in developing and delivering public-patient engagement activities, Prior experience of multi-disciplinary research activity, Prior experience of working with non-academic organisations.Dimensions This is a part-time role. The duties and responsibilities are expected to require no more than 3-4 hours per week, on average, but requirements may fluctuate during the academic year. Travel may be required to HDR UK locations and partner organisations. Application ProcessPlease apply with: a up-to-date two-page CV including contact details for two referees and highlighting selected research publications only, a one-page covering letter explaining your suitability for the role with reference to the criteria and role specification given above, an institutional supporting letter (from an authorised Head of Department of equivalent) stating the support of your university for your application.All applications should be sent to hdruk@gravitatehr.co.ukThe closing date for this position is 7th June 2021Interviews are expected to take place during the 4th week of June via videoconference.Equal Opportunities Policy StatementHealth Data Research UK is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all