MRC / HDR UK - Director - UK Trusted and Connected & Data Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK) - Secondment

Job summary

Director - UK Trusted and Connected & Data Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK)

Salary: £165,000 - £175,000 per annum before pro-rating

Location: Flexible. Primary base could be anywhere in the UK but must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role.

Reporting To: DARE UK Programme Board.

Hours: Full Time

Contract: Concluding 31 March 2027

Secondment: The successful applicant will join HDR UK as their employer, while spending the majority of their time (0.9 FTE) seconded to UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC). This unique arrangement offers the best of both worlds: you’ll enjoy HDR UK’s supportive employment terms and conditions, while being embedded within the MRC to collaborate closely with leading stakeholders with the weight and backing of UKRI behind you.

Closing Date: 18 January 2026

To view the full job description, please click ‘Apply’ to visit our careers site, where you can download the applicant pack and learn more about the role.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS

Health Data Research UK (HDR UK):

HDR UK is the national Institute for data science in health. HDR unlocks UK-wide health data assets to drive breakthroughs in prevention, detection, and treatment.

Administrative Data Research (ADR UK):

ADR UK is a partnership of government and academic groups, led by a team within UKRI’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). ADR links and secures administrative datasets for research via Trusted Research Environments.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. UKRI supports world-class research, skills, and innovation across disciplines.

UK Trusted and Connected Data and Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK):

A UKRI programme building a federated national digital infrastructure. DARE UK Develops secure, interoperable Trusted Research Environments for sensitive data.

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the second phase of the DARE-UK programme. This role will deliver, as part of the Phase 2 Programme three key work programmes:

Transformational Programmes: Building new capabilities to support sensitive data research across the UK, supporting the testing and adoption of these capabilities, and demonstrating real-world scientific impact using these capabilities.

Next-Generation Proof of Concepts: Developing prototypes of next-generation capabilities needed to enable future innovative sensitive data research.

Community Building, Engagement and Standards: Supporting a vibrant community of stakeholders Through collaboration, the programme will promote information sharing and consensus building around common standards and good practice.

Person specification

ABOUT YOU

• Lead, persuade, and inspire teams and diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for TREs across the UK.

• Engage widely to identify opportunities for expanding DARE UK across the UKRI remit.

• Proven ability to design and deliver large-scale programmes at pace (community, software, infrastructure, R&D).

• Track record in delivering complex, user-focused software and infrastructure with attention to ethics and public trust.

• Strong knowledge of secure data infrastructures for research (security, privacy, cybersecurity, storage, analytics, standards).

• Experienced in working with Executives, Boards, and senior stakeholders across academia, industry, policy, and government.

• Effective leader of multidisciplinary teams, using a coaching, supportive, and visionary management style.

• Skilled in building credibility and strong relationships with cross-functional partners in industry, NHS, academia, charities, and government.

• Deep expertise in Trusted Research Environments (TREs).

Benefits

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

• 27 days annual leave plus 8 days for Bank Holidays

• Annual leave purchase scheme

• Medical Cash-Plan and Doctorline

• Wellbeing support, including access to the TogetherAll app

• Generous pension scheme, with 10% employer contributions

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To view the full job description, please click ‘Apply’ to visit our careers site, where you can download the applicant pack and learn more about the role.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org
• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : seniorrecruitment@ukri.org