Senior Scientist - Clinical Research

Our Future Health is the UK’s largest ever health research programme, bringing people together to transform the future of healthcare. Today, millions of people across the UK live with conditions such as cancer, dementia, diabetes, and heart disease. By bringing together 5 million volunteers from across the UK, Our Future Health is creating one of the most detailed pictures of human health ever assembled.

We are looking for a scientifically rigorous and detail-oriented Senior Scientist to help shape the future of clinical research recruitment using rich phenotype, genotype and health record data at unprecedented scale. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys translating complex scientific questions into practical, evidence-based feasibility assessments and who thrives working at the intersection of epidemiology, clinical research, health data science and operational delivery.

As Senior Scientist – Clinical Research, you will play a central role in supporting the scientific review and feasibility assessment of external research studies seeking to recruit participants through the Our Future Health Clinical Research Recruitment Service. Working closely with the Lead Scientist – Clinical Research, you will:

• Review study applications, interpret eligibility criteria and assess whether proposed studies can be supported using the Our Future Health resource.
• Collaborate with epidemiologists, statisticians, genetic analysts and operational teams to evaluate phenotype and genotype-driven recruitment approaches and provide scientifically robust feasibility recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of frameworks for assessing cohort depletion and participant recontact sustainability; helping ensure that recruitment activity is scientifically defensible, transparent and responsible over the long term.

This role would suit someone who enjoys analytical problem‑solving, careful interpretation of research protocols and producing clear, well‑reasoned scientific outputs in a fast‑moving environment.

What you will be doing:

• Reviewing clinical research applications and identifying key scientific and operational feasibility questions.
• Interpreting phenotype definitions, eligibility criteria and researcher data requirements across diverse disease areas.
• Assessing the suitability and availability of phenotype, genotype and linked health data to support recruitment strategies.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary feasibility input from analytical, scientific and operational teams.
• Producing concise, high‑quality scientific summaries, feasibility reports, caveats and recommendations.
• Responding to researcher queries relating to eligibility definitions, coding systems, participant selection and study feasibility.
• Supporting the development of cohort depletion methodologies and participant recontact principles.
• Contributing to frameworks for sustainable and transparent clinical research recruitment.
• Participating in researcher and stakeholder discussions to explain feasibility findings and study limitations.
• Supporting process improvement, documentation standards and scalable scientific review practices.
• Contributing to exploratory phenotype mapping work using clinical coding systems such as SNOMED CT and ICD‑10.

You will bring strong scientific judgement, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex research requirements with clarity and precision. You will also have:

• PhD (or equivalent research experience) in epidemiology, clinical research, biomedical sciences, public health, genomics, health data science, statistics or a related discipline.
• Experience working with clinical, epidemiological or population health research data.
• Strong understanding of study design, participant eligibility, feasibility assessment and recruitment processes.
• Experience working with phenotype definitions, linked health records, participant‑reported data or large‑scale research datasets.
• Ability to critically evaluate study applications and translate complex requirements into structured feasibility outputs.
• Excellent written communication skills, including preparation of scientific summaries, caveats and recommendations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurate outputs to short timelines.
• Confidence working collaboratively across multidisciplinary scientific and operational teams.
• Understanding of research governance, ethics, data protection and participant confidentiality in health research.

You might have:

• Experience in clinical study feasibility, participant recruitment or recontact studies.
• Familiarity with genetic or genomic data in research settings.
• Experience using SNOMED CT, ICD‑10 or related clinical coding systems.
• Experience working with NHS datasets, electronic health records or large‑scale population research resources.

Closing date for applications: 9am, 12th June.

Salary: from £60,000.

Benefits:

• Generous Pension Scheme – We invest in your future with employer contributions of up to 12%.
• 30 Days Holiday pro rata + Bank Holidays – Enjoy a generous holiday allowance with the flexibility to take bank holidays when it suits you.
• Enhanced Parental Leave – Supporting you during life’s biggest moments.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25-39% on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice.
• Home & Tech Savings – Get up to 8% off on IKEA and Currys products, spreading the cost over 12 months through salary sacrifice.
• £1,000 Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone amazing? Get rewarded for bringing them on board!
• Wellbeing Support – Access to Mental Health First Aiders, plus 24/7 online GP services and an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• A Great Place to Work – We have a lovely Central London office in Holborn, and offer flexible and remote working arrangements.

At Our Future Health, we recognise the importance of having a diverse workforce and ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their background, have equitable access to our application process. We proactively encourage applicants who identify as having a disability, neurodiversity, or long‑term health conditions to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments as part of their application process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, please email us at talent@ourfuturehealth.org.uk.