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- Tasks: Lead and shape the research strategy in cannabis-based medicine.
- Company: Fast-growing healthtech company focused on patient-centred care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25+ days holiday, pension scheme, and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care and influence future medical practices.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in clinical research or related fields.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with autonomy and collaboration with top professionals.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
We are a fast-growing healthtech specialising in cannabis-based medicines, combining digital healthcare, clinical expertise, and pharmacy operations to improve access to safe, evidence-led care. Our mission is to build a clinically credible, patient-centred service that not only delivers care today but actively contributes to the evidence base shaping the future of medical cannabis. Research is central to that mission.
As Head of Research, you will own and lead our research strategy end-to-end. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can operate at both strategic and delivery level — designing a research roadmap, building partnerships, and translating real-world clinical data into high-quality evidence that informs practice, policy, and product development.
You will work closely with clinical leadership, data, pharmacy, and operations teams to ensure research is embedded into routine care — not running in parallel to it. This role is ideal for someone excited by real-world evidence, pragmatic study design, and the challenge of generating meaningful data in a rapidly evolving regulatory and scientific landscape.
What You’ll Do
- Research strategy & leadership
- Define and own the company’s research vision and multi-year roadmap, aligned with clinical priorities and business strategy
- Identify high-impact research questions across key therapeutic areas (e.g. pain, mental health, women’s health, neurology)
- Prioritise studies that balance scientific rigour with operational feasibility in a real-world care setting
- Study design & delivery
- Design and oversee observational studies, registries, audits, service evaluations, and pragmatic clinical research
- Lead protocol development, statistical planning, and analysis strategies (working with internal or external analysts where required)
- Ensure studies are delivered on time, ethically, and to a publishable standard
- Governance, ethics & compliance
- Lead ethics submissions (IRAS / REC where applicable) and ensure compliance with GDPR, GCP principles, and local governance requirements
- Work closely with clinical governance teams to ensure research activity aligns with patient safety, consent, and data integrity
- Develop internal SOPs for research governance and data use
- Real-world evidence & data
- Partner with data and engineering teams to optimise real-world data capture from clinical systems
- Translate routine clinical data into robust research outputs
- Ensure research outputs meaningfully inform clinical guidelines, MDT decision-making, and service design
- External partnerships & profile
- Build and manage relationships with academic institutions, CROs, patient groups, and industry partners
- Lead abstracts, posters, and peer-reviewed publications
- Represent the company externally at conferences, roundtables, and research collaborations
- Culture & capability building
- Build research capability across the organisation by supporting clinicians and teams to engage in research activity
- Mentor clinicians interested in research and foster a culture of curiosity, reflection, and evidence-based practice
Essential
- PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field (clinical research, epidemiology, public health, health data science, pharmacology, or similar)
- Significant experience leading health or clinical research programmes
- Strong understanding of research governance, ethics, and data protection in the UK
- Proven ability to design and deliver real-world or observational research
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including publication experience
Desirable
- Experience in digital health, healthtech, or regulated startup environments
- Familiarity with cannabis-based medicines or novel therapeutics
- Experience working with routine clinical data or registries
- Track record of cross-functional collaboration with clinical and operational teams
What Makes This Role Different
- You won’t be inheriting a static academic programme — you’ll build something from the ground up
- You’ll shape how evidence is generated in a rapidly evolving area of medicine
- Your work will directly influence patient care, clinical decision-making, and policy conversations
- You’ll operate with real autonomy, visibility, and impact
Why join us
- Opportunity to define the research agenda in one of the most interesting areas of modern medicine
- Work alongside senior clinicians, pharmacists, and technologists who value evidence and quality
- A genuinely mission-driven organisation focused on improving patient outcomes
- Competitive salary, benefits, and flexibility
What we offer
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday (rising to 27 after one year and 30 after two years) + bank holidays
- 5% matched pension
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Opportunities for development and growth
- A dynamic and supportive work environment
Montu UK is a leading digital health company specialising in cannabis-based medicines (CBPM). We are committed to transforming lives by improving access to safe, effective treatments and offering an exceptional standard of care. Our dynamic and supportive work environment is the perfect place for you to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.
Compensation Range: £90K - £110K
Head of Research in Winnersh employer: Montu UK
Contact Detail:
Montu UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research in Winnersh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the healthtech space, especially those involved in cannabis-based medicines. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of real-world evidence and pragmatic study design. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to our mission of improving patient care with solid research strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think about examples from your past where you've successfully led research projects or built partnerships. We want to see how you can drive our research vision forward.
✨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 are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research in Winnersh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with our Head of Research role. Highlight your experience in clinical research and how it relates to our mission at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Research Experience: We want to see your hands-on experience in leading research programmes. Include details about your previous projects, especially those involving real-world evidence and observational studies, to demonstrate your capability.
Communicate Clearly: Your written communication skills are crucial for this role. Ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. We appreciate straightforward language that conveys your ideas effectively.
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 the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Montu UK
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends and findings in cannabis-based medicines and healthtech. Familiarise yourself with the company's research vision and how it aligns with current clinical priorities. This will not only show your passion but also your readiness to lead their research strategy.
✨Prepare Real-World Evidence Examples
Be ready to discuss specific examples of real-world evidence you've worked with. Think about how you designed studies or translated data into actionable insights. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to deliver high-quality evidence that informs practice and policy.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working cross-functionally with clinical and operational teams. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate how you've built partnerships and fostered a culture of curiosity and evidence-based practice. This is crucial for a role that requires embedding research into routine care.
✨Understand Governance and Compliance
Brush up on UK research governance, ethics, and data protection regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these areas in past roles, especially in relation to patient safety and data integrity. This knowledge will be key in demonstrating your capability to lead ethically compliant research.
