Data Linkage Partnership Lead

At UK Biobank, linking medical and health related datasets is central to unlocking the full potential of one of the world’s most valuable biomedical resources. By bringing together data from across the UK health ecosystem, we enable researchers to explore new insights into disease, prevention, and treatment at unprecedented scale.

We’re now looking for a

As a collaborative and forward-looking organisation, we value people who can build trusted relationships, navigate complex environments, and help shape partnerships that support world-leading research.


We’re now looking for a

Data Linkage Partnership Leadto join our newly established Data Linkage Team. This is a senior role focused on building and sustaining strategic partnerships that enable the long-term development of UK Biobank’s linked data resources.

As a collaborative and forward-looking organisation, we value people who can build trusted relationships, navigate complex environments, and help shape partnerships that support world-leading research.



Can you do it?

Reporting to the Director of Data Linkage, you will play a leading role in building and managing relationships with organisations across the UK’s health data ecosystem.

This role focuses on establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with data providers, government departments, regulators, research organisations, and industry partners. You will work confidently across complex governance and policy environments to enable sustainable, long-term data linkage arrangements.

Working closely with internal scientific, governance, technical and legal teams, you’ll help ensure partnerships are both strategically aligned and practically deliverable, strengthening UK Biobank’s reputation as a trusted partner in the UK health data landscape.

This role focuses on establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with data providers, government departments, regulators, research organisations, and industry partners. You will work confidently across complex governance and policy environments to enable sustainable, long-term data linkage arrangements.

Working closely with internal scientific, governance, technical and legal teams, you’ll help ensure partnerships are both strategically aligned and practically deliverable, strengthening UK Biobank’s reputation as a trusted partner in the UK health data landscape.

You will be responsible for:

• Fostering new data linkage partnerships aligned with UK Biobank’s strategic priorities.
• Leading negotiations to establish new and extended data linkage agreements.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across government, NHS bodies, regulators, academia, and industry.
• Navigating governance and regulatory frameworks to remove barriers to data linkage.
• Working with internal governance, legal, scientific, and technical teams to ensure agreements are compliant and operationally feasible.
• Strengthening UK Biobank’s reputation as a trusted and high-impact partner within the UK health data ecosystem.
  

Is this 'you'?

To be successful, you will have:

• Significant experience leading strategic partnerships within the UK health, research, or government environment.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders across government departments, NHS bodies, regulators, academia, and industry.
• Familiarity with organisations such as DHSC, DSIT, DWP, NHS England, ONS, HDR UK, UKRI, NIHR, and Wellcome.
• Knowledge of information governance and data protection within health data environments.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships.
• The ability to operate confidently within complex regulatory and policy landscapes.

This role would suit someone who enjoys building partnerships, navigating complex environments, and contributing to research infrastructure that has national and global impact.

Working hours are 35-hours per week, Monday to Friday with flexibility, 3-days onsite with hybrid working available, located in Oxford.

Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Your Wellbeing Matters to Us

Colleagues at UK Biobank often highlight feeling supported, included, and connected to meaningful work, with wellbeing and work–life balance genuinely valued across teams.

We’re proud to offer a benefits package that supports your health, financial security, and development from day one:

We’re proud to offer a benefits package that supports your health, financial security, and development from day one:

• 🗓️ 26 Days’ Annual Leave- Plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• ➕ Holiday Buy Scheme- Purchase up to one additional week of leave per year.
• 🎂 Birthday Leave- Enjoy a paid day off to celebrate your birthday.
• 🏦 USS Pension Scheme- Hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution pension plan.
• 🏥 Healthcare Cash Plan- Claim back costs for everyday health expenses.
• 👶 Enhanced Family Leave*- Subject to eligibility.
• 🚴 Cycle to Work Scheme- Save on a new bike and accessories.
• 🚆 Season Ticket Loan- Interest-free loan to help with commuting costs.
• 📄 Professional Subscriptions- Reimbursement where applicable.
• 📚 Learning budget- Annual funds for courses, books, or anything else that fuels your personal and professional growth.
• 🛍️ Employee Discounts Portal- Access to savings across retail, travel, and more.
• 📞 Employee Assistance Programme- Confidential support for personal and work-related issues.
• 💉 Annual Flu Vaccination- Stay protected with free flu jabs.
• 🛡️ Life Assurance Cover- Financial protection for your loved ones.

#LI-Hybrid

The job advert closing date may change, so we recommend that if you are planning to apply that you do so without delay.

About UK Biobank

UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants.

The database, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the world, is anonymised and made widely accessible by UK Biobank to global researchers who use it to find new scientific discoveries about common and life-threatening diseases – such as cancer, heart disease and stroke which strike in mid-later life.

UK Biobank is an innovative organisation with over 350 staff across four sites in the UK that fosters an engaging environment and supports the development of our staff. Our dedicated teams work alongside the world's leading biomedical scientists in our joint mission to improve public health.

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