Head of Prevention & Early Detection Research

Head of Prevention & Early Detection Research

Salary: M3 - £75,000 - £90,000 pa depending on experience

Reports to: Director of Research & Partnerships

Department: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible-working requests for compressed hours will be considered if it meets business needs)

Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 2 days per week). There will be quarterly international travel with this role.

Closing date: Thursday 25th September at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Head of Prevention & Early Detection Research to join our Research and Partnerships team.

We’re looking for an inspiring leader, with experience managing a significant research budget, to shape and evolve Cancer Research UK’s strategic positioning in cancer prevention and early detection. In this pivotal role, you’ll drive an ambitious research and influencing portfolio, oversee funding and budget management, and build impactful partnerships that accelerate progress. As part of the Research and Partnerships leadership team, you’ll play a key role in delivering CRUK’s wider research strategy and making a lasting difference in the fight against cancer.

About the team

In Research & Partnerships, we drive maximum patient benefit by delivering world-class discovery, clinical, prevention and early detection research in partnership with the best researchers and organisations worldwide. Our teams lead on the scientific portfolio across research careers, our Research Institutes, Centres, Unit and response mode funding.

What will I be doing?

• Lead the development and delivery of CRUK’s Prevention and Early Detection (PrEDx) research programmes, including strategic funding initiatives and roadmap execution.
• Shape CRUK’s evolving strategic positioning and identify priority scientific challenges.
• Oversee the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) and future Centres of Excellence, ensuring high-quality research and strong academic engagement.
• Align PrEDx research with CRUK’s broader discovery, clinical, careers, and infrastructure portfolios to create cross-cutting opportunities.
• Collaborate with Policy, Information, and Communications teams to maximise research impact and reinforce CRUK’s thought leadership.
• Build a collaborative research community across disciplines to establish world-class capabilities in PrEDx.
• Engage with the research community to shape and prioritise high-quality funding applications aligned with PrEDx strategy.

What skills are we looking for?

• Research related experience in one or more aspects of biomedical or bioengineering research. Knowledge of cancer research, early detection and prevention of disease and/or clinical trials an advantage but not essential
• Extensive experience in research strategy, administration and management. Experience of setting up effective funding streams an advantage.
• PhD with post-doctoral research experience or equivalent experience
• Proven leadership skills and experience of leading a team, including cross or inter-organisational teams through direct or matrix management
• Proven experience of managing finances and resources to a significant budget
• Ability to lead and shape complex programmes of work through partnerships
• Strategic & innovative thinker with a proven ability to translate this into operational plans with measurable impact
• Excellent presentation skills, ideally with experience of presenting at national and international forums
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with experience of interfacing with senior members of the research community
• Strong influencing and networking skills

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.