At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Biometrics and Medical Writing teams to deliver impactful clinical trials.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a pioneering charity in drug development.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against cancer through innovative research.
- Qualifications: PhD or relevant experience in clinical trials and team management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Reports to: Director of the Centre for Drug Development
Department: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (other flexible-working requests will also be considered if it meets business needs)
Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 1-2 days per week)
Closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026 at 23.59
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. To help us with our mission we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing to join us and lead the Biometrics & Medical Writing functional group to effectively deliver CDD clinical trials to the appropriate regulatory and quality standards in the UK and EU.
About the team
The Cancer Research UK Centre for Drug Development (CDD) is the world's only charity-funded drug development organisation. Our pioneering research is driven purely by the goal to see scientific breakthroughs bring benefits to patients sooner. CDD is the sponsor of early phase and precision medicine clinical trials in oncology agents. Our broad portfolio rivals that of a medium-sized pharmaceutical company, spanning antibodies, cell therapies, vaccines, drug conjugates and small molecules, making this an interesting and dynamic area to work in.
What will I be doing?
- Lead and manage the Biometrics and Medical Writing teams, ensuring they are engaged, high-performing and aligned with CDD objectives.
- Work with functional leads to deliver CDD clinical trials on time and within budget, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and efficient processes.
- Ensure all Data Management, Medical Writing and Statistical Sciences activities comply with ICH GCP and all relevant UK/EU regulatory requirements.
- Provide oversight of statistical expertise to support robust trial design, high-quality datasets and successful onward development.
- Continuously review and improve operational processes to enhance delivery speed, quality and regulatory compliance.
- Act as Data Custodian for CDD, working with Data Privacy teams to ensure full compliance with UK and EU GDPR and data privacy legislation.
- Serve as a key liaison with the CRUK Technology team and oversee relevant technology systems including computer system validation (CSV).
- Take accountability for selecting and managing external service providers, ensuring adherence to CRUK, CDD and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to CDD strategy and leadership, including budget preparation and representing CDD internally and externally.
- Deputise for the Director of Drug Development as required.
What skills are we looking for?
Essential- Science graduate or PhD (or equivalent relevant experience)
- Extensive experience of clinical trials and drug development within the Pharma/Biotech/CRO industry.
- Extensive experience working with clinical trial data within Data Management, Medical Writing and/or Statistical Sciences, involving the design and delivery of complex processes to GCP standards.
- Proven team management experience (including working within matrix team systems).
- Working knowledge of current legal and regulatory requirements for early clinical trials in the UK and EU, as well as regulations and guidelines for computerised systems.
- Working knowledge of UK and EU GDPR and data privacy legislation.
- Oncology experience.
- Experience of early phase trials.
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.
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.
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 complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Cancer Research UK. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Dive deep into the latest trends in biometrics and medical writing. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate expert ready to lead.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our mission to beat cancer. We want to hear how you can contribute to our goals and make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: When filling out the work history section, focus on your extensive experience in clinical trials and drug development. We want to see specific examples that demonstrate your skills in managing teams and delivering projects on time.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your achievements are easy to understand. This will help us quickly grasp your qualifications.
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 this exciting opportunity at Cancer Research UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of clinical trials, drug development, and the specific regulations that apply in the UK and EU. Familiarise yourself with ICH GCP guidelines and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these standards.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head of Biometrics and Medical Writing, you'll need to demonstrate strong team management abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, focusing on engagement, performance, and alignment with objectives. Highlight any experience in matrix team systems.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex processes. Think about past challenges you've faced in clinical trials and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Align with the Organisation's Values
Cancer Research UK values boldness, credibility, humanity, and collaboration. Reflect on how your personal values align with these and prepare to share examples of how you've embodied these traits in your professional life. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation.