At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative data solutions for life sciences researchers.
- Company: Join BioFAIR, a pioneering initiative transforming UK life sciences data management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a chance to shape research infrastructure.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for part-time work; inclusive hiring practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life sciences by enhancing data accessibility for researchers.
- Qualifications: Experience in product ownership or user experience design, preferably in life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 71000 - 90000 £ per year.
BioFAIR is undertaking an ambitious programme to redefine the UK’s data and service landscape for the life sciences — and we’re looking for someone to help us ensure we put the answers to life science questions directly at researchers’ fingertips. Applications are invited for a Lead Product Owner to join the BioFAIR Hub, hosted at the Earlham Institute, Norwich, UK. BioFAIR is funded by a £34M UKRI investment over five years and will deliver a step change in ‘Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable’ (FAIR) research data management, providing end-to-end FAIR data and analysis capabilities alongside support and training for UK researchers.
To achieve this mission, BioFAIR seeks to redefine the UK’s existing data and service landscape for the life sciences. Guided by a “reuse, don’t rebuild” philosophy, BioFAIR will need to onboard a wide range of mature services while also providing a framework for developing new, state-of-the-art capabilities. Our services will also need to evolve over time to meet changing community and research-infrastructure needs. This senior role puts the needs of the UK life science research community at the heart of a national, federated research infrastructure.
Based at the BioFAIR hub and as the primary advocate for researchers across the BioFAIR Commons network, you will ensure the BioFAIR Technical Platform is intuitive, coherent, and aligned with real-world research data journeys — enabling researchers to move seamlessly from “assay to insight”. Working in close partnership with the Lead Architect and Senior Technical Project Manager, you will provide expert product leadership across the five spokes: the Data, Methods and People Commons, the Knowledge Hub, and the Portal.
The ideal candidate: The successful candidate will bring significant experience in product ownership or user-experience design within Agile/Lean frameworks, ideally in the life sciences, alongside a track record of delivering user-facing digital services. You will be an expert facilitator of collaborative journey - and story-mapping, with a rich understanding of how researchers work with complex data at scale. You will combine design-led, iterative problem-solving with the socio-technical awareness to see how team structures and service boundaries shape product success. You will communicate complex user needs with clarity to technical and non-technical audiences alike.
Additional information: Salary on appointment will be within the range of £71,000 – £90,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract up to 30 June 2029. Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours (or alternative working patterns) are also welcomed. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 15th July. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. The closing date for applications will be 5 July 2026.
Lead Product Owner - BioFAIR UK in Norwich employer: Earlham Institute
BioFAIR is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative projects in the life sciences sector from the innovative BioFAIR Hub at the Earlham Institute in Norwich. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a focus on meaningful contributions to research, we provide a supportive environment where your expertise can directly impact the UK’s research landscape. Our competitive salary range, flexible working options, and dedication to inclusivity make BioFAIR a rewarding place to advance your career while making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Owner - BioFAIR UK in Norwich
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Earlham Institute!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Earlham Institute would be by your initiative!
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Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Earlham Institute through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Owner - BioFAIR UK in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Lead Product Owner - BioFAIR UK, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Lead Product Owner - BioFAIR UK position at Earlham Institute. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Earlham Institute
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
