Head of Programme- Somatic Genomics

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We are seeking an internationally recognised scientific leader to direct the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Somatic Genomics Programme, one of our flagship research domains. This role offers the opportunity to define and deliver a bold, long-term scientific vision for understanding how somatic mutations arise, accumulate and shape human health across the lifespan.

Sanger’s science is organised into a small number of major Programmes, each led by a Head of Programme with significant autonomy. Heads of Programme shape scientific direction, enable delivery through leadership and collaboration, and work within a distinctive non-tenure faculty model that allows scientific leadership to evolve over time. This is a leadership role focused on vision, people and impact, supported by world-class technical, operational and informatics teams.

This appointment provides a rare opportunity to establish a transformative research agenda spanning the origins of cancer and non-neoplastic disease, ageing and mutational processes, leveraging Sanger’s unparalleled scale, technologies and collaborative environment.

The Somatic Genomics Programme aims to understand the causes and consequences of somatic mutations and epimutations, and their roles in health and disease. The Programme seeks to decipher fundamental processes of mutation, selection and clonal dynamics, and how these might be harnessed for prevention and therapeutic benefit. Building on Sanger’s world-leading contributions, the Programme will define a 10–15 year research trajectory across cancer and beyond oncology, with scope for significant technology development and broader impact across medicine and biology.

• Set the scientific vision and strategy for the Programme and lead its delivery
• Recruit, support and develop core and associate faculty, fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing environment
• Lead your own research group
• Guide and coordinate Programme research to ensure scientific excellence and sustainability
• Work in close partnership with technical, operational and informatics teams
• Contribute to the Institute’s Senior Leadership Team and strategic direction
• Build external collaborations and, where appropriate, pursue funding and partnerships

We welcome applicants from academia, industry, clinical and non-traditional career paths.

We are seeking an established scientific leader with the experience and credibility to lead a major research Programme at scale, while fostering a supportive, inclusive and collaborative research environment.

• Scientific Leadership & Expertise
  • A strong record of research and scientific publication and impact in a relevant field, including the presentation and derivation of insight from genomic data.
  • Recognised expertise and contribution within relevant scientific communities, appropriate to career stage.
  • Significant scientific contributions demonstrated through high-quality research, innovation, or translational impact across academic, clinical, or industry settings.
• Programme, Team & People Leadership Experience
  • Experience leading and developing scientific teams or research groups, with the ability to empower, mentor and support people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to set a pioneering and forward-looking scientific vision for the Programme, and articulate a long-term strategic plan to deliver on that vision.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, respectful and values-led leadership, fostering an environment where people feel supported to do their best work.
• Operational Delivery & Adaptability
  • Experience contributing to or leading complex, interdisciplinary programmes.
  • Ability to work adaptively and proactively with operational, technical and informatics colleagues to ensure effective programme delivery.
  • Understanding of responsible research practice, data governance and the stewardship of shared scientific resources.
• Culture, Inclusion & Institute…