Policy Lead England in London

About the role

The Policy Lead plays a key role in leading the execution of the Institute’s external genomic policy positions and internal policy development to ensure that Sanger’s science informs national and global decision-making. Working within the Strategy team, the role translates analysis into targeted policy engagement activity, while strengthening research culture, good research practice, and institutional positioning across government, funders, and international forums.

You will be responsible for:

• Executing the Institute’s external policy positions, drawing on analysis and recommendations to develop targeted policy activity across an array of genomic policy topics.
• Coordinating and leading the Institute’s approach to external policy engagement, establishing how, where, and with whom Sanger engages across the policy ecosystem.
• Shaping and implementing the portfolio of policy work, ensuring alignment with scientific priorities and institutional strategy.
• Leading targeted policy activity, using institutional policy positions to influence outcomes and raise awareness of the implications of Sanger science.
• Conducting policy horizon scanning, ensuring emerging genomic policy issues are translated into clear positions and actions.
• Representing the Institute in relevant external discussions, committees, and forums, ensuring Sanger’s perspectives are well-understood and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Supporting the shaping of Sanger’s long-term policy strategy and driving its implementation.
• Supporting leadership in developing and maintaining strategic relationships with policymakers.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key individuals at Wellcome to ensure alignment with Wellcome policy priorities and advising the Institute Director on relevant developments.
• Reviewing and aligning Institute policies to ensure they reflect and support a positive research culture, including areas such as data sharing and software.
• Ensuring the Institute has appropriate, up-to-date strategic policy and position documentation in place.
• Maintaining internal policies on good research practice, academic misconduct, and any relevant institutional positions such as equitable collaboration.
• Providing expert policy advice to the Director and senior leadership on developments across funders, government, and key external stakeholders.

About you

You are an experienced policy professional with a strong background in academic research and have deep expertise in the complex genomic policy landscape. You thrive in collaborative, complex and intellectually stimulating environments where you can translate evolving scientific developments into coherent and impactful policy positions under time-sensitive conditions. You are comfortable navigating diverse policy ecosystems from internal faculty to government bodies and international forums. You have strong relationship-building and communication skills, allowing you to influence senior leadership and coordinate activity across the Institute to ensure science informs national and global decision-making. You are highly organised, adaptable and capable of shaping and managing a portfolio of policy activity which is aligned with scientific and institute priorities. You enjoy working with senior leaders, researchers and external partners, and are motivated by the opportunity to shape the policy strategy of a world-leading genomics institute.

Knowledge:

• Significant academic research experience (e.g. PhD) that provides an understanding of research culture and scientific practice.
• Expert knowledge of at least one of the following: diversity in experimental design; reproducibility; data sharing and standards; open access science.
• Deep knowledge of genomic policy issues in science.
• Knowledge of UK and international science funding and policy environments (including Wellcome).
• Strong understanding of research integrity, open science, and good research practice frameworks.

Experience:

• Leading and developing strategic plans.
• Developing and implementing policy positions within a research-intensive or complex organisation.
• Engaging with policymakers, government bodies, funders, or international policy forums.
• Working with internal stakeholders to gather information.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including production of briefings, consultation responses, and policy documents.
• Ability to identify and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse and explain complex information and identify its key points.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess risks, opportunities, and implications of policy developments.
• Experience of working with and influencing senior leadership.

About us

The Strategy team helps shape and align the Institute’s direction across science, operations, people, funding and impact. Working closely with Science Programmes, Institute leadership, Wellcome and external stakeholders, the team provides insight, coordination and strategic support to help the Institute achieve its long-term ambitions. The function brings together expertise in strategy, impact, policy and partnerships to maximise the reach, influence and impact of Sanger science.

As part of the creation of Innovation & Impact, we are building a new team that operates at the intersection of science, strategy and external engagement.

Our work spans three core areas:

• Strategy & Impact: Setting and aligning institutional direction across science, operations, people, funding and impact. Ensuring coherence across Institute, programme and operational strategies. Tracking progress and evaluating strategic impact.
• Policy: Translating research into policy-relevant insight and influence. Positioning the Institute as a thought leader in areas where it has distinctive expertise. Advising on the implications of external developments for Institute priorities.
• Institute Partnerships: Developing and supporting strategic institutional partnerships. Increasing visibility of key external relationships across the Institute. Creating opportunities for collaboration that enrich science and maximise impact.

Additional information

This is a hybrid role with at least 2-3 days per week onsite.

Applications

Salary: £55,000 – £66,000 per annum

Closing Date: 11:59pm Friday, 31st July 2026

Contract duration: One year fixed-term

Role profile: Apply via the company portal

Internal Applications: Secondment opportunities will be considered for this fixed-term position, and prior approval from existing managers should be sought in advance of your application.

Our Benefits

Sanger Institute delivers a campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme, recognising the importance of good health and a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress. The Institute is a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative, aiming to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians across all disciplines. We believe people do their best work when they can be their authentic selves. We are 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.

Equal Opportunities

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 staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity 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.