200 staff. Limitless Potential. One team. Cancer Research Horizons.
Scientific Data Specialist
£40,000 - £45,000 plus benefits
Department: Therapeutic Innovation, R&I
Reports to: Data Operations Lead
Location: CRUK Scotland Institute, Glasgow with High Flex (1-2 days per week on site, with ad hoc travel to other locations when required).
Contract: Permanent, Full time 35 hours per week
Closing date: Sunday 8th March 2026 23:55pm
Interview Date: Wednesday 18th March on site in Glasgow.
Interview process: Competency based interview
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Scientific Data Specialist to join our Therapeutic Operations team in Glasgow. You’ll play a key role in strengthening Cancer Research Horizons data foundations, helping ensure our scientists have the tools and information they need to drive forward life‑changing research. Working closely with colleagues across science, data and technology, you’ll help shape and refine the systems that keep our work moving forward.
Day to day, you’ll look for opportunities to improve how we manage and use data, identifying where processes can be more efficient and effective. You’ll translate complex scientific needs into clear technical requirements, supporting the development of solutions that are robust, user-friendly and future focused. You’ll also support the migration of data to modern, supported platforms, and provide first line assistance to TI (Therapeutic Innovation) staff who rely on these systems every day.
Every role at CRH is united by a single mission: beating cancer sooner. We carry out work that matters - impacting patients, families, and the future of science.
About Cancer Research Horizons
As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.
We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) Bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) Tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.
Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, you’ll be joining over 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer.
What will you be doing?
Work with scientific staff to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in data processes
Work with Data Team colleagues to develop efficient and sustainable solutions to business problems and suggest improvements to existing solutions
Provide clearly documented requirements to Data and CRUK Technology colleagues to enable the effective translation of scientific problems to data solutions
Apply best practices in data capture, transformation, analysis and visualisation
Support the monitoring and audit of shadow IT, assisting in migration to supported platforms
Utilise and maintain appropriate operational procedures, documentation and training material, working with Data Team colleagues to develop new material where appropriate
Provide first line support, including troubleshooting and training, on data systems and processes, to TI staff
Support and provide cover for team members as needed and other Ad hoc duties as required
What are we looking for?
Previous experience working as a drug discovery scientist, ideally in a commercial environment
Experience working with the Dotmatics Software Suite and Cenevo (formerly Titian) Mosaic in a Systems Administrative or equivalent capacity (Studies, Register and BioRegister)
Technical experience in data management including relational database design
High level of familiarity with both SQL and Python
Excellent communication skills with the ability to act as the bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders
A collaborative mentality with the ability and confidence to work independently where required
Commitment to continued learning and development
Commitment to high quality, accurate and consistent delivery
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
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Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.