At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering on a groundbreaking platform for secure health data research.
- Company: Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford.
- Benefits: Hybrid or remote work, supportive team culture, and impactful projects.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to openness, transparency, and improving lives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while collaborating with exceptional colleagues.
- Qualifications: Strong technical leadership, communication skills, and a passion for solving hard problems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to lead engineering on one of the world’s most ambitious open platforms for secure health data research. You’ll work on problems with genuine national and global importance, where software engineering can directly improve healthcare and medical research. We care deeply about openness, transparency and public trust.
You’ll collaborate closely with unusually thoughtful colleagues across engineering, clinical medicine, research, operations and information governance. In the role, you’ll work closely with our CTO and Head of Product to run the engineering team. You’ll enjoy high trust, substantial autonomy and real influence over both technical direction and engineering culture.
This is a role for somebody who enjoys making difficult things work in the real world, balancing technical ambition with pragmatism, persuasion and sound judgement. Success in this role depends on more than technical leadership; credibility, communication, and institutional empathy are also essential. It’s best suited to somebody excited by hard problems, meaningful impact, and working with exceptional people.
Who are we? We are the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, at the University of Oxford, led by Professor Ben Goldacre. We built OpenSAFELY, a revolutionary open source platform for secure clinical research. Conceived at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, it has been used extensively to produce ground-breaking research using an unprecedented corpus of patient data which is not available anywhere else.
Our mission: Driving better use of data to improve the lives of citizens.
Our values:
- True multidisciplinary working, combining best practice from software development, academia, clinical work and information governance.
- Openness on code and methods, as a means to drive efficiency and quality.
- Transparency on use of data, to earn trust and prove delivery.
- Championing privacy through deeds rather than words.
- Open sharing of insights about ways of working, not just our outputs.
We aim to be fearless without being reckless when addressing systemic problems.
Why should you join us? We’re a truly interdisciplinary team of researchers, software developers, clinical informaticians and more, with a strong track record of delivering useful tools in a globally leading research setting. You’ll have the chance to use your software skills to save lives and further the state of medical data research. Our software delivery teams are collaborative, supportive, thoughtful and kind. We support hybrid or fully remote working, with in person team events throughout the year. We are actively seeking to increase our team’s diversity, and so we welcome applications from those in under-represented groups.
How to apply: In your application, please tell us how you meet the vacancy criteria.
Head of Engineering in Oxford employer: Workcircle
The Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford offers an exceptional opportunity for the Head of Engineering to lead innovative projects that have a profound impact on healthcare and medical research. With a commitment to openness, transparency, and collaboration, you will work alongside a diverse team of experts in a supportive environment that values your contributions and fosters professional growth. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid or fully remote working while being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to improving lives through data.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. This can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company’s mission and values. We want to see how your skills align with our goals, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to improving healthcare through tech.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled tough challenges in the past. We love hearing about your thought process and how you balance ambition with pragmatism.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role and keeping you top of mind as we make our decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about tackling hard problems in healthcare and making a real impact. Share specific examples of your past experiences that align with our mission.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can balance technical ambition with pragmatism, so be sure to showcase that!
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! When you’re writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the role. Remember, we want to understand your journey and what makes you a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure 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 role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp the mission of the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science. Familiarise yourself with OpenSAFELY and how it impacts healthcare. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a meaningful impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a candidate for Head of Engineering, it's crucial to convey your leadership philosophy. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, balanced technical ambition with pragmatism, and fostered a positive engineering culture. Be ready to discuss how you would collaborate with the CTO and Head of Product to drive the team forward.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Given the emphasis on communication and institutional empathy, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points. This will not only showcase your technical credibility but also your ability to connect with colleagues across various disciplines.
✨Prepare for Hard Questions
Expect to face challenging questions that assess your problem-solving skills and judgement. Think about difficult situations you've encountered in your career and how you navigated them. Being prepared to discuss these scenarios will demonstrate your readiness to tackle the complex issues the role entails.
