Data Policy Manager

• Job Category Research Programme and Funding Management
• Apply Before 09/05/2025, 10:59 PM
• Job Identification 1177
• Posting Date 08/11/2025, 09:12 AM
• Job Shift Day
• Hours Full Time/ Part Time

Job Description

Smart Data Research UK Strategic Hub:Senior Data Policy Manager (Legal and Responsible Research)

Job title: Senior Data Policy Manager (Legal and Responsible Research)

Responsible to: Head of Infrastructure and Capability (SDR UK Strategic Hub)

Responsible for:n/a

Location: Hybrid, with base office in Swindon.

Contract type:Fixed Term until March 2029.

Hours:Full time or part time (min. 0.8FTE).

Smart data is made whenever we engage with the digital world. When we buy something, ‘like’ something, or get directions. If used for scientific research smart data can change our world. It can help us to understand important social challenges – from disease prevention to climate change.

Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is the UK’s national programme for smart data research. We’re investing £59.3m in an ambitious programme to provide researchers with safe and trustworthy access to smart data. We’ll safeguard public trust in how data are used, build capability for cutting-edge data-driven research, and support research that addresses important social and economic challenges.

At the heart of our programme are our data services – teams of experts from research institutes across the country. They will build partnerships with data owners and provide secure access to data for researchers. Coordination and leadership are provided by a Strategic Hub team, based at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

About the role

The Senior Data Policy Manager (Legal and Responsible Research) will lead on developing and managing resources for legal and responsible practice across SDR UK.They also play a key role in promoting responsible research practices within the ESRC.

The post holder will enable SDR UK to identify, discuss and resolve emerging questions regarding public trust, transparency and legal compliance, to ensure sound expert advice informs the development of SDR UK.

The post holder will keep up to date on the latest legal and responsible practice questions raised by the smart data research community (companies, academics, innovators and government) and work with relevant stakeholders across ESRC, UKRI and beyond to help address some of the biggest barriers to conducting smart data research. The role will not provide formal legal advice but will work with lawyers to commission legal advice if necessary.

In addition to establishing and managing a new ethics and legal steering group, the post holder will have the opportunity to lead the development of new practical guidance and position statements that effectively aid smart data research for public good.

This position plays a critical role in guiding compliance within SDR UK and contributing to informed decision-making and effective legal practice.

About you

We know that many people hesitate to submit a job application if they feel they don\’t meet all the criteria. If you are passionate about our mission and you possess most of the skills or experience, we encourage you to proceed with your application. We\’d love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

• Lead on developing, managing and critically assessing specific resources related to legal and responsible research. This includes leading the steering group that supports legal and responsible practice for SDR UK and its core services, addressing some of the biggest legal and ethics issues facing the smart data research community.
• Lead on providing clarity on emerging legal and responsible research issues through the development of practical guidance, tools, position statements, and other resources.
• Build and foster strong relationships working across ESRC, UKRI and beyond, including with academics, lawyers, government, civil society and other stakeholders to support and develop SDR UK’s legal and responsible research programme of work.
• Demonstrate and communicate the impact of legal and responsible research practices via writing blogs and other public facing content.
• Track new legal or trust issues in smart-data research. Turn those issues into clear, practical guidance, tools, and position statements.
• Where necessary, procuring and managing timely legal advice.

This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties within the Strategic Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

Shortlisting criteria

• A degree/equivalent qualification or demonstrable equivalent level of knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to Smart Data Research UK. (S)
• Understanding of the existing and emerging legal and ethical issues related to the UK’s data and/or tech landscape, or the demonstrable ability to develop knowledge quickly in a specialist area. (S&I)
• Significant experience of building effective working relationships with both internal and external collaborators (such as senior academics, policy makers, lawyers, practitioners, or business partners) at varying seniority levels to build a common consensus and agree a position on a specific topic or issue.(S&I)
• Strong ability to think strategically to overcome challenges. (S&I)
• Excellent written communication skills (both written and oral) with the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documentation on complex issues. (S&I)
• An enthusiasm for smart data research and an understanding of the role it plays within the UK research/innovation system. (S&I)
• An understanding of what constitutes good data science, including an understanding of how data can be used safely for the public good. (S&I)
• Experience of working alongsidedata scientists / scientists / researchers to address complex legal and ethical issues relating to data. This may include developing practical guidance, tools, templates and resources. (S&I)
• Experience of procuring and managing independent legal advice. (S&I)

Additional information

This post is based at our Swindon office, but we operate a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and external locations. This post also requires travel to attend external visits and meetings.

About Us

UKRI – UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.
For more information about ESRC, click here

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