Head of Programme- Somatic Genomics

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

We are seeking an internationally recognised scientific leader to direct the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Somatic Genomics Programme, one of our flagship research domains. This role offers the opportunity to define and deliver a bold, long-term scientific vision for understanding how somatic mutations arise, accumulate and shape human health across the lifespan.

Sanger’s science is organised into a small number of major Programmes, each led by a Head of Programme with significant autonomy. Heads of Programme shape scientific direction, enable delivery through leadership and collaboration, and work within a distinctive non-tenure faculty model that allows scientific leadership to evolve over time. This is a leadership role focused on vision, people and impact, supported by world-class technical, operational and informatics teams.

This appointment provides a rare opportunity to establish a transformative research agenda spanning the origins of cancer and non-neoplastic disease, ageing and mutational processes, leveraging Sanger’s unparalleled scale, technologies and collaborative environment.

The Somatic Genomics Programme aims to understand the causes and consequences of somatic mutations and epimutations, and their roles in health and disease. The Programme seeks to decipher fundamental processes of mutation, selection and clonal dynamics, and how these might be harnessed for prevention and therapeutic benefit. Building on Sanger’s world-leading contributions, the Programme will define a 10–15 year research trajectory across cancer and beyond oncology, with scope for significant technology development and broader impact across medicine and biology.

As Head of Programme, you will:

• Set the scientific vision and strategy for the Programme and lead its delivery
• Recruit, support and develop core and associate faculty, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing environment
• Lead your own research group
• Guide and coordinate Programme research to ensure scientific excellence and sustainability
• Work in close partnership with technical, operational and informatics teams
• Contribute to the Institute’s Senior Leadership Team and strategic direction
• Build external collaborations and, where appropriate, pursue funding and partnerships

We welcome applicants from academia, industry, clinical and non-traditional career paths.

We are seeking an established scientific leader with the experience and credibility to lead a major research Programme at scale, while fostering a supportive, inclusive and collaborative research environment.

• Scientific Leadership & Expertise
  • A strong record of research and scientific publication and impact in a relevant field, including the presentation and derivation of insight from genomic data.
  • Recognised expertise and contribution within relevant scientific communities, appropriate to career stage
  • Significant scientific contributions demonstrated through high-quality research, innovation, or translational impact across academic, clinical, or industry settings.
  • Experience leading and developing scientific teams or research groups, with the ability to empower, mentor and support people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to set a pioneering and forward-looking scientific vision for the Programme, and articulate a long-term strategic plan to deliver on that vision.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, respectful and values-led leadership, fostering an environment where people feel supported to do their best work.
  • Evidence of successful teamwork and partnership-building across scientific, clinical, technical or industry communities.
  • Ability to work openly and constructively as part of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to institutional strategy, planning and decision-making.
  • Excellent communication skills tailored to diverse audiences, with the ability to engage transparently and collaboratively across all levels of the organisation.
• Operational Delivery & Adaptability
  • Experience contributing to or leading complex, interdisciplinary programmes.
  • Ability to work adaptively and proactively with operational, technical and informatics colleagues to ensure effective programme delivery.
  • Understanding of responsible research practice, data governance and the stewardship of shared scientific resources.
• Culture, Inclusion & Institute Values
  • Commitment to creating a culture grounded in openness, teamwork, adaptability and pioneering science, in line with the Institute’s values.
  • Ability to champion inclusive research culture through your leadership style, decision-making, and day-to-day interactions.
  • Willingness to actively contribute to organisational culture, including Sanger citizenship activities, Culture & Inclusion initiatives and Research Environment priorities.
• Funding, Engagement & External Representation
  • Experience developing or contributing to external funding, partnerships or major collaborative initiatives, appropriate to career stage.
  • Ability to represent the Programme and Institute externally, strengthening strategic relationships with academic, clinical, industry and funding partners.

We welcome applicants with diverse leadership experiences, including from academia, industry, clinical roles and non-traditional career paths.

A CV outlining your professional experience, research achievements, leadership roles, collaborations, and contributions to your field.

A statement (up to 3 pages), plus a 250-word summary, describing the scientific direction and ambitions you would set for the programme, including its potential scientific and societal impact; how you would enable delivery and outcomes through leadership, collaboration and governance; and, briefly, how you would establish effective and inclusive ways of working.

Your application will be assessed against our Faculty Model, with consideration of your scientific achievements and impact, programme and leadership experience, and your ability to operate effectively at a senior level. This includes evidence, demonstrated through your experience and examples, aligned to our core behavioural competencies of Collaboration, Communication, Innovation, Integrity, Leadership and Results, and our values of Adaptability, Openness, Pioneering and Teamwork.

We believe recruitment should be supportive and transparent. You will meet with teams across science, strategy, and operations to explore Sanger’s full potential. Our process includes:

• Scientific Talks (past and future research)
• Panel Interview based on leadership, collaboration, and core behavioural competencies and values. The interview panel will comprise of internal leaders and representation from our collaborators.
• Stakeholder 1:1s with Group Leaders and Programme Leads

We understand balancing career opportunities with personal commitments can be challenging, and our process is designed to be flexible and supportive. Interviews are due to take place May/June 2026.

We welcome applications from candidates based anywhere in the world. This role is based in the UK, with visa and relocation support available where required. We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake groundbreaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.