Research Community Coordinator (Maternity cover)

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Community Coordinator to join Oxford Cancer for a full time 12-month maternity cover post.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is developing a Data Science Community, aiming to bring together researchers, data scientists, bioinformaticians, technicians, clinicians and more across the UK and beyond who are interested in or using data-driven approaches to accelerate progress in cancer research. The community is organised around eight interest groups, each representing a priority area in data science and addressing key challenges and opportunities across the research landscape.

Oxford Cancer is working together with CRUK to support the development of this new Data Science Community and we are looking to appoint a full time Research Community Coordinator based at the Oxford University’s Biomedical Research Campus in Headington. This role is the critical link between the cancer research data community and CRUK. The role will be responsible for the overarching management and development of the CRUK Data Science Community, coordinating interest group community leads and managers and supporting a broad range of activities to ensure the community is vibrant, inclusive and useful for its members. The post will also work very closely with CRUK’s Research Data Strategy team, ensuring the CRUK Data Science Community is connected up to wider activities in the organisation and that the community strategy evolves accordingly.

This post is based at the Oxford Cancer, OCDEM, Churchill Hospital, OX3 7LE and is offered on a full-time fixed term basis for 12 months (maternity cover). The role is hybrid with up to two days per month required at CRUK's head office in Stratford, London.

About you

You will have a PhD in data science and/or cancer research or another relevant field or equivalent experience. You will have experience of working in health data spaces, alongside proven community management experience, ideally in researcher communities. You will demonstrate proven project management and organisational skills, as well as possessing a demonstrable track record of stakeholder buy-in. You will be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills across all levels, from working with senior academics to health data support staff and be comfortable managing collaborative tools such as Slack. You will have experience of developing, organising and running large in-person and online events, particularly for research communities. Experience in evaluating community engagement and developing community strategy would be advantageous.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

Application Process

If you would like to discuss this role please contact Andrew Blake at andy.blake@oncology.ox.ac.uk.

You will be required to upload a supporting statement (setting out how you meet the selection criteria), a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Only applications received before 12:00PM on Thursday, 23 April 2026 can be considered.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education. No applicant or members of staff shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation

Committed to equality and valuing diversity