Strategic Data Lead

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years.

It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio‑samples for a wide range of genomic and other high‑throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics.

AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Reporting to: AHS Chief Information and Technology Officer (to be appointed Spring 2026)

Hours of Work: FTE 37.5 hours per week

The Strategic Data Lead will play a critical role in managing the study’s data pipeline, devising and implementing strategies for the collection, management, storage, documentation and curation of complex participant data, and sharing data with research users. In particular, there will be a need for innovative, remote data collection methods that are acceptable to children and young people taking part in the study.

The role holder will provide specialist advice, direction and input to the wider scientific team to maximise the potential of the study data and future proof the resource. They will drive forward innovative solutions which enable the long‑term strategic vision for data management in the study.

• Provide expert input into the design and delivery of the study before data collection begins, maximising data quality and efficient management from the start.
• Devise and implement a data management strategy, including appropriate data architecture, meta‑data and data pipeline(s), to support the study’s aims and meet the needs of the research community.
• Consider the long‑term strategy for data preservation and discoverability, to future‑proof the resource and ensure maximal use.

• Identify and oversee the delivery of novel solutions for collection and management of complex health data, including transfer of data from specialist equipment and mobile technology, such as wearables or app‑based data.
• Lead procurement activities, where required, to support the data management strategy, translating the needs of users into appropriate specifications and working with third parties to oversee delivery of solutions.

• Oversee the development, management and continual improvement of all procedures used to process, manage and store data, ensuring that they are kept up to date and comply with relevant legislation and local guidelines.

• Build relationships with other longitudinal population studies (LPS) in order to seek advice where appropriate and ensure sharing of best practise within the LPS community.
• Work closely with researchers, data scientists and national bodies, such as Population Research UK and the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration, to support study objectives.
• Consult and co‑operate with colleagues and stakeholders, including children and young people, to support the use of the study’s data for collaborative research purposes, identifying opportunities to maximise the potential of the data.
• Offer creative solutions to issues that arise, consulting with and influencing stakeholders with differing expectations, ensuring the impact of any change is communicated and…