Senior Research Data Governance & Access Officer

Expert Cancer Intelligence. Credible data governance. One incredible cause. 

• Senior Research Data Governance & Access Officer
• £37,000- £41,500 + benefits
• Reports to: Senior Cancer Intelligence Manager

Grade: P2

• Directorate: Policy, Information and Communications

Contract: Permanent

• Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
• Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. 

Closing date: 29 October 2025, 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: One competency-based interview with an exercise included.

Interview date: From the week commencing 27 October 2025. We will be shortlisting on a rolling basis, so please do not delay in applying.

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 fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

Cancer Research UK’s Data & Informatics team sits within the Cancer Intelligence department, as part of the Policy, Information & Communication directorate (PIC). The Cancer Intelligence department transforms high-quality data and research into powerful intelligence that informs decision-making and drives the charity’s mission forward. Within this framework, the Data & Informatics team plays a crucial role by supporting both internal and external Research Analysts funded by Cancer Research UK. They provide expert guidance and training in data governance, alongside robust contracting support. The team also maintains strong relationships with data custodians, upholds the charity’s data accreditations, and manages the secure research infrastructure and trusted research programme.

As a Senior Data Governance & Access Officer, you will play an impactful role in our mission by enabling the acquisition, secure management, and analysis of complex research datasets to support the directorate in its evidence-based policymaking and influencing. You will manage and maintain Cancer Intelligence’s data security policies, systems, and accreditations (such as Data Security and Protection Toolkit [DSPT]). This includes overseeing data usage, acquisition processes, and applications, ensuring compliance with data protection and quality standards, and providing technical support across research projects. You’ll build and maintain relationships with external data suppliers while delivering training and guidance to Analysts and Researchers across PIC. You’ll also play a key role in safeguarding sensitive health data, improving data access and quality, and driving continuous improvements in data governance to support the charity’s life-saving research.

If you’re a Data Governance expert who has applied for, reviewed, or managed research data access applications within an academic, health, or scientific research environment, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Managing Cancer Research UK’s Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) accreditation and all associated policies, processes, risk assessment, and staff training required for its maintenance.
• Being accountable for the day-to-day management of health research data, contributing to the maintenance of information governance standards and accreditations.
• Developing and implementing processes captured within documentation across the Cancer Intelligence Team.
• This includes delivering training and assessing staff to ensure a high level and consistent knowledge of processes for handling sensitive and confidential external health data.
• Writing, updating, and collating all relevant documentation required for the successful submission of officially recognised data security accreditations.
• Identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies, including the maintenance of a data asset risk register.
• Providing technical support for applications to acquire external health data for the Cancer Intelligence team, ensuring these meet the requirements of our data suppliers
• This includes regular updates of official statistics and bespoke extracts of patient and other data that may require Research Ethics approval or equivalent.
• Leading on logistical aspects of acquiring data, including tracking requests, and anticipating and resolving potential delays.
• Providing technical advice and support for Cancer Intelligence Analysts on processes for handling and managing data.
• Identifying potential and actual system bottlenecks, assisting the Data Liaison Manager to bring about improvements in access to patient data.
• Delivering and evaluating data quality across a range of data sources.
• Driving continuous improvements, leading or assisting with the implementation of new data policies and procedures, and undertaking horizon scanning of existing, new, and emerging sources of data relevant to Cancer Intelligence.
• Providing regular management information about data acquisition processes for the Data Liaison Manager and Head of Cancer Intelligence.
• Ensuring that research data is transferred, stored, and accessed as prescribed in Cancer Intelligence Information Security Management System policies.
• This includes delivering training and assessing staff to ensure a high level and consistent knowledge of processes for handling sensitive and confidential external health data.
• This includes regular updates of official statistics and bespoke extracts of patient and other data that may require Research Ethics approval or equivalent.

What are you looking for?

• Experienced Data Access & Governance professional with experience in either:
• Sourcing and applying for external datasets within academic, health, or scientific research settings.
• Reviewing and approving Data Access Requests within academic, health, or scientific research settings.
• Please note: Candidates with data compliance or privacy experience solely within technology environments will not be considered, as this role requires data skills specific to the research and health sectors.
• Successful track record of managing and maintaining officially recognised data security and protection accreditations (such as the NHS’s Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) accreditation).
• Expert knowledge of data protection and information governance principles with experience training others in the adherence to data security and protection protocols and identifying and mitigating risks.
• Strong understanding of research projects and data usage across the research lifecycle, from data acquisition to assessing data quality, analysis, and dissemination.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills with experience building credible and collaborative relationships with data suppliers, as well as Analysts, Researchers, Academics, and/ or health professionals.
• A proactive and solutions-driven approach to problem-solving and driving continuous improvements.
• Demonstrable knowledge of metadata standards and systems with some understanding of computer software statistical packages (such as Stata, R, SPSS, and/ or Python).
• Ideally, available to start on one month’s notice or less (however, we’re open to applicants with longer notice periods who meet all the above requirements).
• Sourcing and applying for external datasets within academic, health, or scientific research settings.
• Reviewing and approving Data Access Requests within academic, health, or scientific research settings.
• Please note: Candidates with data compliance or privacy experience solely within technology environments will not be considered, as this role requires data skills specific to the research and health sectors.
• 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.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

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.

Additional Information

Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check. (To be included if applicable) 

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.