At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI initiatives, turning ideas into scalable tech solutions that save lives.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a bold and innovative organisation dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible remote work, and extensive career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on wellbeing and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while working with cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Strong technical leadership, experience in AI, and a passion for innovation required.
The predicted salary is between 73500 - 73500 € per year.
Award-winning and bold innovation. Modern Tech-Stack. Impacting the future.
Technical Lead - Artificial Intelligence
Salary: £70,000 - £77,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Engineering
Grade: P3 (MP)
Directorate: Chief Operating Office
Contract: 2 year fixed-term contract
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London, high flexibility. This role is designed to be highly flexible, with the opportunity to work largely remotely, alongside occasional time in our offices for collaboration when it adds the most value.
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Closing date: 31 May 2026, 23:55. Note we are shortlisting on an ongoing basis - please do not delay applying for the role.
How do I apply? We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the application questions and work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact us as soon as possible.
Recruitment process: 3 stage interview process consisting of a screening call, role-based competency interview and technical task.
About the role: As a Technical Lead, you'll play a critical role in turning ambitious AI opportunities into high-quality, scalable technology solutions. You'll work across the full lifecycle - from early-stage ideas and proof of concepts through to production-ready systems that are embedded into the organisation. You'll be accountable for technical quality and delivery, working in a highly matrixed environment alongside internal product teams and trusted external partners.
What will I be doing?
- Act as Technical Lead for key AI initiatives at different stages - from emerging ideas and proofs of concept through to solutions ready to scale and operationalise.
- Assess technical complexity, feasibility, and effort, helping teams make informed delivery decisions.
- Identify where foundational changes to platforms or infrastructure are needed to unlock AI capabilities.
- Work with Product Managers and colleagues to assess when and how to partner with external suppliers.
- Collaborate closely with Product and Project Managers, Architects, UX and Service Designers, and Business Analysts to understand user needs and iteratively design effective solutions.
- Provide technical assurance and constructive challenge for external technology partners.
- Validate high-level designs and support smooth transitions from design into delivery.
- Produce low-level designs, technical work plans, and documentation in line with delivery standards.
- Proactively surface technical risks, issues, and dependencies to initiative leads.
- Contribute significantly to testing strategies and plans to ensure solutions are robust, secure, and reliable.
What are we looking for? We're looking for someone who brings both strong technical leadership and a genuine interest in how AI can create real-world value. You'll have:
- Experience delivering Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, from procurement through to live operation.
- Recent, hands-on experience writing clean, maintainable, and well-tested code using proven design patterns.
- The curiosity and adaptability to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools.
- Deep technical expertise and the confidence to tackle complex problems independently.
- A strong interest in AI and innovation, with the ability to role-model how modern engineering practices can evolve to deliver greater impact.
- Experience working across a range of domains, with the ability to context-switch as priorities change.
- Proven experience running critical services in production and designing scalable, secure, and highly available systems.
- Experience acting as a technical lead: defining solutions from scratch, shaping technical direction, and reviewing the work of other engineers.
- Knowledge of modern software delivery approaches (e.g. Scrum, Kanban), with some understanding of spec-driven development.
- Excellent communication skills, enabling you to explain complex ideas clearly and influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Comfort working in complex environments with multiple priorities, and the resilience to adapt to continual change.
- Highly desirable to have experience implementing bespoke data, machine learning or AI solutions from pilot through to operationalisation.
- Ideally hold a professional certification (e.g. cloud architect) in at least one major cloud data platform (e.g. GCP, Azure, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks) and will, ideally, be an active participant in that cloud's community.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do:
- Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination.
- Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism.
- Human: Act to have a positive impact on people.
- Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively.
We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer. You'll help make breakthroughs possible - not just in laboratories, but in parliaments, communities and homes across the UK. Together, we're building a future where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
Ready to use your voice to help save lives? We'd love to hear from you.
What will I gain? We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
Internal applicants' eligibility criteria: Internal candidates should ideally have completed their 6-month 'getting started' period before applying for other roles. You should also advise your current line manager at the point you make an internal application, or at the latest, at the point of being invited for an interview. All internal candidates applying for a secondment must have completed their getting started period, discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager, and been in their substantive (home) role for at least 6 months (this is only applicable if you have previously been on secondment). If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us.
AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and flexibility. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer while enjoying the autonomy of remote work. With a generous benefits package and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our team to thrive both professionally and personally in the heart of Stratford, London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Cancer Research UK. A friendly chat can give you insights and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview stages by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding AI trends. We want to see how you can apply your knowledge to real-world problems, so think of examples that showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to explain complex ideas clearly, so try explaining your past projects to friends or family. This will help you articulate your thoughts during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure to complete all the application questions thoroughly to stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Technical Lead - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really understand what we're looking for. Make sure you have the necessary skills and experience that match the role of AI Technical Lead. This will help you tailor your application and show us you're the right fit!
Be Authentic in Your Responses:When filling out the application questions, be yourself! We want to get to know the real you, so share your experiences and insights honestly. This is your chance to shine and show us how your unique background can contribute to our mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any relevant experience you have with AI, technical leadership, or software delivery. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and how they align with the responsibilities of the role. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in the past!
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 ensure everything is processed smoothly. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applications fairly and efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your AI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and technologies in AI. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with machine learning, generative AI, and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to guide teams and make complex decisions. Prepare examples of how you've led projects, tackled challenges, and influenced outcomes. Highlight your experience in shaping technical direction and collaborating with diverse teams.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face some tough technical questions during the interview. Brush up on coding standards, design patterns, and modern software delivery approaches like Scrum or Kanban. Practising coding problems or system design scenarios can help you feel more confident.
✨Align with Their Values
Cancer Research UK values boldness, credibility, humanity, and collaboration. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be ready to share examples of how you've embodied these traits in your work. This will show that you're not just a fit technically, but culturally as well.
