Head of Engineering

We are seeking an experienced Head of Engineering to guide our software engineering processes and systems to meet the institute's goals and values, and lead the technical direction of our OpenSAFELY platform. This leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Technical Officer, involves overseeing teams of up to 30 members, delegating ongoing responsibilities, and contributing to the overarching vision and managing staff performance. The role has a particular focus on practical and efficient software development and operations.

OpenSAFELY is a highly secure, modular, open-source data analysis platform created by the team at the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science. The platform combines best practice from both academia and the open-source software community and has been deployed across the full electronic health records of the whole population of England.

The Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science is a mixed team of clinicians, software developers, programme managers, policy experts, and traditional academic researchers, all pooling skills and knowledge to create a modern, open, collaborative ecosystem for health research. We do this by shipping code, delivering papers, building capacity, and advocating for new ways of working.

The successful applicant will provide strategic leadership to the engineering group, ensuring that technical initiatives directly support the wider objectives and long-term vision of the Bennett Institute. By fostering a culture of practical innovation and continuous improvement, the successful candidate will mentor team leads and oversee the entire software development lifecycle, ensuring effective processes from planning to deployment, and enhancing the reliability and scalability of the institute's software systems.

You will be based at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work, but you will be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager.

This post is offered full time, but part time (to a minimum of 0.8FTE) will be considered; it is fixed term for four years.

For further information or discuss the post please contact Ben Butler-Cole at benjamin.butler-cole@phc.ox.ac.uk.

“Committed to equality and valuing diversity”

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Monday 8th June 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 22nd June 2026.