Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ethical practices in a groundbreaking health research programme and guide complex decision-making.
- Company: Join Our Future Health, the UK's largest health research initiative.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, 30 days holiday, and impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Expertise in research ethics and experience managing teams in health research.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 72000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and thoughtful Head of Ethics to play a key role in shaping and delivering ethical practice at one of the UK's most ambitious health research programmes. At Our Future Health, ethics is central to everything we do. As we work towards building a programme of up to 5 million volunteers, this role will help ensure that we operate with integrity, transparency, and care for participants at every step.
The Head of Ethics will support and report to the Director of Ethics, overseeing the day-to-day delivery and governance of ethics activities across Our Future Health. You will help ensure alignment with research ethics regulation, support an ethics-by-design approach across programme activities, and contribute to identifying and addressing ethical considerations as they arise. You will support and guide a team of Ethics Managers, helping to ensure consistent and high-quality ethical input across the programme.
This role will also contribute to strengthening the ethical foundations of our clinical research recruitment service and supporting the development of our approach to returning health feedback to participants.
What you'll be doing
- Supporting the delivery of ethics and governance activities across the organisation
- Managing and supporting a team of Ethics Managers
- Contributing to the development and implementation of ethics policies, procedures and frameworks
- Acting as a point of escalation for ethics queries, working with the team to support resolution
- Providing input to decision-making forums and supporting organisational risk management
- Working collaboratively with teams across the organisation to explore ethical considerations in areas such as partnerships, product, communications and research
- Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to understand ethical considerations within a large-scale research programme
- Supporting the Ethics Advisory Board and its membership
- Contributing to ethics training and awareness across the organisation
- Supporting reporting to boards and funding bodies
- Deputising for the Director of Ethics where appropriate
Requirements
- Experience working in ethics within large-scale or multidisciplinary health research (e.g. NHS, academia, industry or funding bodies)
- Experience contributing to the development and implementation of ethical frameworks or policies
- Experience supporting or managing teams
- The ability to work through complex ethical questions in collaboration with a range of teams (e.g. data, technology, science, communications)
- An understanding of ethical and regulatory considerations relating to genomics, health data, and human tissue
- Awareness of relevant regulatory bodies and research ethics requirements
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Good organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload
- A pragmatic, thoughtful and considered approach, with the ability to use judgement when handling sensitive topics
You will also be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a programme that aims to improve the future of healthcare and make a meaningful difference to people's lives.
Benefits
- From £72,000 per annum basic salary
- Generous pension scheme – employer contributions of up to 12%
- 30 days holiday plus
Head of Ethics in London employer: Our Future Health UK
Contact Detail:
Our Future Health UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Ethics in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the health research field, especially those connected to ethics. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into ethical issues in health research. Brush up on current debates and think about how you would approach them. This will show your passion and expertise, making you stand out as a candidate who truly gets the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—focus on organisations that align with your values. At StudySmarter, we believe in integrity and transparency, so look for roles that resonate with your ethical stance. Tailor your approach to show how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the conversation that excited you. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Ethics in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in research ethics. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Our Future Health, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant skills!
Showcase Your Thoughtfulness: As the Head of Ethics, you'll need to demonstrate a thoughtful approach to complex ethical issues. Use your application to share examples of how you've navigated tricky situations in the past—this will really help us see your problem-solving skills in action.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your points are easy to understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s absolutely necessary, and keep your sentences punchy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Our Future Health UK
✨Know Your Ethics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest research ethics regulations and frameworks. Familiarise yourself with the ethical challenges faced in health research, especially those related to genomics and health data. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to tackle complex ethical questions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Ethics, you'll be managing a team of Ethics Managers. Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams and how you've supported them in navigating ethical dilemmas. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a culture of ethical awareness and integrity in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your ability to apply ethical principles in real-world situations. Think about potential ethical dilemmas that could arise in a large-scale health research programme and how you would approach them. This will showcase your pragmatic and thoughtful approach to ethics.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in engaging with various stakeholders, both internal and external. Discuss how you've navigated ethical considerations in partnerships or collaborations. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills and your ability to build relationships while addressing sensitive topics.