Dementia is the greatest health challenge of our century. To date, there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it.
The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.
We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King’s College London.
We are seeking a world-renowned, visionary Director of Data Science and Informatics to develop and deliver a progressive data science and informatics strategy for our institute. We are advertising this opportunity across our six host universities, with the appropriate university base for the successful applicant to be determined during the selection process.
There are two parallel aspects to this position. You will set out and implement an institute-wide strategy for biomedical data science and informatics at the UK DRI as well as develop and run your own world-class data science-based research programme related to neurodegeneration and dementia.
You will provide visionary leadership, sitting on the UK DRI Scientific Strategy and Operational Board and working closely with our Group Leaders to develop a strategy that is aligned with the Institute’s scientific mission and positions the UK DRI as an international centre of excellence for data science and informatics in neurodegenerative disease research. As a UK DRI Group Leader, you will also develop and direct your own in silico research programme in applying novel, cross-cutting approaches (including data science, informatics and/or computational modelling) to neurodegenerative disease research.
In addition to catalysing collaborations within the UK DRI, you will develop and shape strategic partnerships with academia, government, charities and industry, particularly those with established strengths in data science and informatics, to build the UK DRI’s national and international profile in this area.
Already working at the level of academic distinction that the UK DRI would expect of a substantive Professor, you will have a proven track record as an internationally recognised researcher in biomedical data science/informatics research with commensurate publications.
The ability to inspire and influence the wider scientific community, sharing your interdisciplinary expertise across computer science, statistics, biomedical, clinical and public health spectrum is essential to this role. You will have a deep understanding of the diverse fields from bioinformatics to clinical informatics and be able to build effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders including owners/controllers of data, academia, government, charities and industry.
For further details of the UK DRI’s data science ambition and the landscape within which we work please refer to the Data Science and Informatics at the UK DRI summary. For further details relating to the role please refer to the job description and person specification.
More information here: https://ukdri.ac.uk/vacancy-director-of-data-science-and-informatics
To apply please send the following supporting documents to Laura Allum, UK DRI Head of HR at l.allum@ukdri.ucl.ac.uk by 30 June 2021:
For an informal conversation regarding the role please contact Dr Adrian Ivinson, UK DRI Director (Operations), a.ivinson@ukdri.ucl.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please direct these to Laura Allum, UK DRI Head of HR, l.allum@ukdri.ucl.ac.uk.
