Head of Data Platforms

About us:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford is committed to addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges by reimagining how science and technology transform into solutions that make a global impact. With a focus on innovation across high-stakes areas including health and medical science, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and government innovation in an AI-driven era, EIT Oxford integrates pioneering research with practical implementation to deliver high-impact, sustainable results.

At the core of EIT Oxford's vision is a significant investment in a world-class research and development facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This 300,000-square-foot campus will feature cutting-edge research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative educational spaces. These resources will bolster EIT Oxford’s partnership with the University of Oxford, creating an environment where groundbreaking research transitions seamlessly into real-world applications. The new facility will also serve as the home for Ellison Scholars, advancing EIT Oxford’s mission to generate societal benefit through science.

Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Mission exemplifies EIT’s dedication to transformative science. It seeks to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases by leveraging Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. This initiative is building a global, "Always On" pathogen metagenomics system designed to enhance diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatment through antimicrobial resistance profiling. Enabled by Oracle Inc.’s cloud-computing scale and security, the Pathogen Mission is advancing toward certified diagnostic products for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organizations worldwide.

Job Summary:

We are seeking aHead of Data Platformsto lead the development, architecture, and implementation of the Pathogen Mission’s Data Research Platform. This platform will handle highly sensitive patient, lab, and pathogen genomic data in secure environments, including cloud, regional data centres, and edge deployments. The individual will work in close partnership with the Science Team, ensuring the platform aligns with their research needs while meeting legal, regulatory, and security requirements.

Reporting to the Director of Technology of the Pathogen Mission, this role will lead the design and implementation of a scalable, robust, and secure platform architecture, driving innovation in platform functionality and ensuring compliance with industry-leading standards. This includes overseeing data integrations, ETL pipelines, security implementation, and integration with the broader EIT technical stack to enable transformative scientific breakthroughs.

Key Responsibilities:

·      Working with the EIT cross-cutting Data team, design and implement a federated, secure, and scalable Data Research Platform, including support for Trusted Research Environments (TREs), to manage highly sensitive genomic, clinical, and laboratory data.

·      Collaborate with the Science Team and other internal stakeholders to ensure the platform meets their research and data access requirements. Support external academic, clinical, and commercial partnerships to enhance platform utility and integration.

·      Ensure the platform adheres to all relevant legal, security, and regulatory frameworks, including data protection laws (e.g., GDPR) and secure handling of sensitive patient and genomic data.

·      Work with scientific and technical teams to define, prioritise, and deliver platform improvements to optimise data ingestion, processing, discoverability, and accessibility.

·      Oversee the platform’s operations, including data governance, security monitoring, disaster recovery planning, and performance optimisation.

·      Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of data engineers and platform architects to execute the platform strategy effectively.

·      Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to define platform strategy and contribute to the broader objectives of the Pathogen Programme.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

·      Proven experience in designing, building, and maintaining large-scale, data platforms, with a focus on scalability, security, and performance.

·      In-depth understanding of data standards and data systems for genomic, clinical, or laboratory data, with hands-on expertise in at least one of these domains.

·      Understanding of solutions and challenges in managing a globally distributed data set for federated learning and scientific research.

·      Strong knowledge of data protection laws and secure data handling, including experience implementing secure environments such as Trusted Research Environments (TREs).

·      Experience leading teams of engineers or platform specialists to deliver complex technical projects.

·      Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including scientists, engineers, legal professionals, and external partners.

·      Strong skills in project planning, delivery, and communication, with a results-driven approach.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

·        Familiarity with whole genome sequencing data, especially in microbiology or infectious diseases, or experience with large-scale biobank data such as UK Biobank or Our Future Health.

·       A track record of identifying and delivering transformative technical solutions in data platform development.

·       Experience of Oracle databases and/or OCI

·       Experience of working in matrixed and/or rapidly growing organisations

Key Attributes:

Strategic Vision and Leadership

·      Demonstrated ability to define and execute a long-term strategic vision for a data platform, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and anticipating future technological and regulatory trends.

Advanced Technical Expertise

·      Hands-on expertise in cloud-native architectures, containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and distributed systems, with a focus on scalability and fault-tolerant design.

Innovation and Adaptability

·      Proven track record of driving innovation in platform technologies, including leveraging AI/ML for data analysis, automation of ETL pipelines, and enhancing data discoverability and usability.

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance Leadership

·      Deep experience in navigating complex regulatory landscapes (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001) and implementing best practices for data ethics, security, and governance at scale.

Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement

·      Strong experience in fostering collaborations with external partners, including academic institutions, clinical organizations, and commercial entities, to enhance platform functionality and ensure widespread adoption.

Terms of Appointment

·      You must be eligible to work in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.

·       You must be based in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.

·       During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.