At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering on a groundbreaking platform for secure health data research.
- Company: Join the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford.
- Benefits: Enjoy high trust, autonomy, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with hybrid or remote working options.
- Why this job: Use your skills to save lives and advance medical data research.
- Qualifications: Strong technical leadership, communication skills, and a passion for solving hard problems.
This is a rare opportunity to lead engineering on one of the world’s most ambitious open platforms for secure health data research. You’ll work on problems with genuine national and global importance, where software engineering can directly improve healthcare and medical research. We care deeply about openness, transparency and public trust.
You’ll collaborate closely with unusually thoughtful colleagues across engineering, clinical medicine, research, operations and information governance. In the role, you’ll work closely with our CTO and Head of Product to run the engineering team. You’ll enjoy high trust, substantial autonomy and real influence over both technical direction and engineering culture.
This is a role for somebody who enjoys making difficult things work in the real world, balancing technical ambition with pragmatism, persuasion and sound judgement. Success in this role depends on more than technical leadership; credibility, communication, and institutional empathy are also essential. It’s best suited to somebody excited by hard problems, meaningful impact, and working with exceptional people.
Who are we? We are the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, at the University of Oxford, led by Professor Ben Goldacre. We built OpenSAFELY, a revolutionary open source platform for secure clinical research. Conceived at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, it has been used extensively to produce ground-breaking research using an unprecedented corpus of patient data which is not available anywhere else.
Our mission: Driving better use of data to improve the lives of citizens.
Our values:
- True multidisciplinary working, combining best practice from software development, academia, clinical work and information governance.
- Openness on code and methods, as a means to drive efficiency and quality.
- Transparency on use of data, to earn trust and prove delivery.
- Championing privacy through deeds rather than words.
- Open sharing of insights about ways of working, not just our outputs.
- We aim to be fearless without being reckless when addressing systemic problems.
Why should you join us? We’re a truly interdisciplinary team of researchers, software developers, clinical informaticians and more, with a strong track record of delivering useful tools in a globally leading research setting. You’ll have the chance to use your software skills to save lives and further the state of medical data research. Our software delivery teams are collaborative, supportive, thoughtful and kind. We support hybrid or fully remote working, with in person team events throughout the year. We are actively seeking to increase our team’s diversity, and so we welcome applications from those in under-represented groups.
How to apply: In your application, please tell us how you meet the vacancy criteria.
Head of Engineering in Oxford employer: Bennett Institute, University of Oxford
The Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford offers a unique opportunity to lead engineering on a groundbreaking platform that directly impacts healthcare and medical research. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and diversity, you will work alongside exceptional colleagues in a supportive environment that values your input and fosters professional growth. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid or fully remote working while contributing to meaningful projects that improve lives and advance the field of data science.
Contact Details:
Bennett Institute, University of Oxford Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Bennett Institute. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the mission! When you get the chance to speak with anyone from the team, make sure to express why you're excited about improving healthcare through data. It’s all about that genuine enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’d tackle real-world problems in engineering and be ready to share examples of your past experiences. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about tackling hard problems in healthcare and making a real impact. Share specific examples of your past experiences that align with our mission.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can balance technical ambition with pragmatism, so don’t forget to showcase your ability to make tough decisions in real-world scenarios.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity in communication, so keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where appropriate and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. Remember, we want to understand your journey and how you can contribute to our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our team and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bennett Institute, University of Oxford
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp the mission of the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science. Familiarise yourself with OpenSAFELY and how it impacts healthcare. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to balance technical ambition with pragmatism and how you foster a collaborative environment.
✨Communicate Clearly
Given the emphasis on communication and institutional empathy, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical colleagues can understand. This will showcase your ability to bridge gaps between engineering and other disciplines.
✨Prepare for Hard Questions
Expect to face tough questions about real-world problem-solving and decision-making. Think of scenarios where you've had to make difficult choices and how you navigated those situations. This will demonstrate your sound judgement and ability to handle pressure, which are crucial for this role.
