About this role
Closing date: 27 October 2026 – 5:00PM
Purpose of the Post
We are seeking an exceptional and internationally respected cardiometabolic clinician-scientist to provide senior scientific and clinical leadership for the BHF Data Science Centre. The successful candidate will bring a strong reputation, extensive networks across UK and international cardiometabolic research communities, and the strategic insight needed to shape the Centre’s direction and delivery of data products and services.
Working closely with the leadership team, the Chief Scientist will guide the development of data products, services and capabilities that enable high-quality, data-driven cardiometabolic research. They will ensure the Centre’s work reflects the needs of researchers, clinicians, industry, patients and the public, supporting research that improves clinical practice, patient outcomes and public health.
The role will engage clinical, research and data science communities to identify priorities, opportunities and challenges in cardiometabolic research. Working collaboratively with partners, the postholder will help translate these needs into practical solutions that strengthen national capability and support a thriving, internationally connected health data ecosystem.
The Chief Scientist will be an influential and collaborative leader with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders and unite diverse communities around a shared vision. They will promote collaboration across clinical research, data science, statistics, biomedical science, public health and clinical trials.
With a strong understanding of the UK and international cardiometabolic data science landscape, the postholder will strengthen partnerships across academia, healthcare, industry, charities and the wider research community. They will champion scientific excellence and innovation, ensuring the Centre remains at the forefront of cardiometabolic health data science and delivers research that improves outcomes for patients and the public.
Main Responsibilities
Provide visible scientific and clinical leadership as a member of the Centre’s leadership team, contributing to strategy, decision-making and accountability. Build trusted relationships across cardiometabolic clinical, research and data science communities, bringing together expertise from academia, healthcare, industry and the wider health sector. Lead engagement activities to identify priority research questions, unmet needs and opportunities for collaboration. Translate community and user needs into strategic priorities for data products, services, infrastructure and analytical capabilities, ensuring patient and public perspectives are considered. Provide senior scientific and clinical expertise throughout the design, development and delivery of the Centre’s products and services. Monitor developments in cardiometabolic science, clinical practice, health data research, AI, statistics and data-enabled clinical trials, adapting priorities where required. Ensure the Centre balances immediate research needs with long-term capability building and sustainable infrastructure. Promote the role of the BHF Data Science Centre to policymakers and the public. Influence stakeholders across clinical, academic, technology, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors to accelerate data-enabled research. Act as a senior ambassador for the Centre at national and international forums. Lead scientific input into major funding applications, investment opportunities and strategic proposals. Establish objectives, milestones and measures of impact, monitoring progress and responding to emerging risks and opportunities. Support the evaluation and communication of the Centre’s vision, impact and achievements to governance bodies, funders, partners and the wider community.
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