At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead genomic policy initiatives and engage with key stakeholders to influence decision-making.
- Company: Join a leading genomics institute dedicated to improving human health.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape impactful policies in a dynamic environment and contribute to life-changing science.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy development and strong understanding of genomic issues required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 66000 £ per year.
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.
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.
We welcome applications from individuals with a broad range of skills and experience and encourage applications from curiosity-driven people with backgrounds that don’t exactly fit our requirements, but who can provide proof of exceptional work. We place a high value on work-life balance and are dedicated to supporting our team members with family-friendly policies and benefits, including flexible working arrangements.
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.
To excel in this role, you will need the following skills and experience:
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.
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.
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.
Next Steps
If you’re excited by the opportunity to join a newly formed function and help shape how the Institute builds relationships, influences its environment and delivers global impact through science we’d love to hear from you. Please include a cover letter along with your CV. In your cover letter, include detail on how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role described. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 10th August 2026. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be asked to deliver a short presentation during the panel interview.
Additional information
Please note: This is a hybrid role with at least 2-3 days per week onsite.
Salary: £55,000 – £66,000 per annum
Closing Date: 11:59pm Friday, 31st July 2026
Contract duration: One year fixed-term
Policy Lead | 12 months fixed-term employer: Sanger
Open Targets is an exceptional employer located in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises the sharing of life-changing scientific data. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that fosters professional growth through multidisciplinary teamwork with leading pharmaceutical partners and access to cutting-edge research projects. With a commitment to improving human health, Open Targets provides unique opportunities for meaningful contributions to groundbreaking science while ensuring a strong focus on data quality and governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy Lead | 12 months fixed-term
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Policy Lead | 12 months fixed-term
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanger
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Sanger.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Sanger that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
