AI Technical Lead

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Technical Lead for Artificial Intelligence to turn ambitious AI opportunities into scalable, production-grade solutions. The role offers flexibility with largely remote work and occasional office collaboration in Stratford, London.

You will lead technical delivery across the full lifecycle, guiding teams, architects, and partners to deliver high-impact AI solutions for cancer research and supporter experiences. Strong compensation and benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, from procurement through to live operation.
• Recent hands-on experience writing clean, maintainable, and well-tested code using proven design patterns.
• The curiosity and adaptability to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools; able to tackle complex problems independently.
• A strong interest in AI and innovation, with the ability to role-model modern engineering practices to deliver impact.

Responsibilities

• Act as Technical Lead for key AI initiatives from ideas and proofs of concept to scalable, production-ready solutions.
• Assess technical complexity, feasibility, and effort to guide delivery decisions.
• Identify foundational platform or infrastructure changes needed to unlock AI capabilities.
• Collaborate with Product Managers and external suppliers to assess partnerships.
• Work with cross-functional teams to understand user needs and iteratively design solutions.
• Provide technical assurance for external technology partners and transitions from design to delivery.
• Produce low-level designs and delivery documentation to standards.
• Surface technical risks, issues, and dependencies to initiative leads.
• Contribute to testing strategies to ensure robust, secure, and reliable solutions.

Skills

Technical leadership

Hands-on coding

AI/ML expertise

Communication skills

Cloud & data platforms

Tools

Cloud platforms (GCP/Azure/AWS)

Snowflake/Data platforms

Databricks

Job description

Technical Lead - Artificial Intelligence

£70,000 - £77,000plus benefits

Reports to: Head of AI Implementation & Enablement

Grade: P3(MP)

Directorate :Chief Operating Office

Contract :Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London, high flexibility

We knowgreat workdoesn’thappen in just one place or one way. This role is designed to be highly flexible, with the opportunity to worklargely remotely, alongside occasional time in our offices for collaboration when it adds the most value.

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UKis not able tooffer visa sponsorship.

Closing date: 18 September2026, 23:55. Note we are shortlisting onan ongoing basis – please do not delay applying for the role.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

At Cancer Research UK, we are a community of professionals with purpose. Every day, we push boundaries to beat cancer—yet we know we must go.

Technical Lead – Artificial Intelligence

At Cancer Research UK,we’reharnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to help beat cancer. From Generative and Agentic AI to machine learning, AI is becoming a transformative capability across our organisation – helping us work smarter, accelerate scientific discovery, and create more personalised and meaningful experiences for our supporters.

This is a chance to take on a highly flexible Technical Lead role where you can apply your deep technicalexpertiseto purposeful work, while enjoying the autonomy to worklargely remotelyand shape solutions that genuinely matter.

About the role

As a Technical Lead,you’llplay a critical role in turning ambitious AI opportunities intohigh‑quality, scalable technology solutions.You’llwork across the full lifecycle – fromearly‑stageideas and proof of concepts through toproduction‑readysystems that are embedded into the organisation.

You’llbe accountable for technical quality and delivery, working in a highly matrixed environment alongside internal product teams and trusted external partners.Technology‑agnosticand adaptable,you’llhelp shape problem statements, align solution designs to our AI vision, and guide teams through complex technical decisions.

This is ahands‑onleadership role that offers variety, influence, and the opportunity to help define how engineering practices evolve in the age of AI – all while supporting a mission that saves lives.

What will I be doing?

• Act as Technical Lead for key AI initiatives atdifferent stages– from emerging ideas and proofs of concept through to solutions ready to scale and operationalise

• Assess technical complexity, feasibility, and effort, helping teams make informed delivery decisions

• Identifywhere foundational changes to platforms or infrastructure are needed to unlock AI capabilities

• Work with Product Managers and colleagues to assess when and how to partner with external suppliers

• Collaborate closely with Product and Project Managers, Architects, UX and Service Designers, and Business Analysts to understand user needs and iteratively design effective solutions

• Provide technical assurance and constructive challenge for external technology partners

• Validatehigh‑leveldesigns and support smooth transitions from design into delivery

• Producelow‑leveldesigns, technical work plans, and documentation in line with delivery standards

• Proactively surface technical risks, issues, and dependencies to initiative leads

• Contribute significantly to testing strategies and plans to ensure solutions are robust, secure, and reliable

What are we looking for?

We’relooking for someone who brings both strong technical leadership and a genuine interest in how AI can createreal‑worldvalue.You’llhave:

• Experience delivering CommercialOff‑the‑Shelf(COTS) andSoftware‑as‑a‑Service(SaaS) solutions, from procurement through to live operation

• Recent,hands‑onexperience writing clean, maintainable, andwell‑testedcode using proven design patterns

• The curiosity and adaptability to learn new languages, frameworks, and tools

• Deep technicalexpertiseand the confidence to tackle complex problems independently

• A strong interest in AI and innovation, with the ability torole‑modelhow modern engineering practices can evolve to deliver greater impact

• Experience working across a range of domains, with the ability tocontext‑switchas priorities change

• Proven experience running critical services in production and designing scalable, secure, andhighly availablesystems

• Experience acting as a technical lead: defining solutions from scratch, shaping technical direction, and reviewing the work of other engineers

• Knowledge of modern software delivery approaches (e.g. Scrum, Kanban), with some understanding ofspec‑drivendevelopment

• Excellent communication skills, enabling you to explain complex ideas clearly and influence both technical andnon‑technicalstakeholders

• Comfort working in complex environments with multiple priorities,and the resilience to adapt to continual change

• Highly desirableto haveexperienceimplementing bespoke data, machinelearningor AI solutions from pilot through to operationalisation.

• Ideallyhold a professional certification (e.g.cloud architect) in at least one major cloud data platform (e.g.GCP, Azure, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks) and will, ideally, be an active participant in that cloud’s community.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition,courageand determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’relooking 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.

You’ll help make breakthroughs possible—not just in laboratories, but in parliaments,communitiesand homes across the UK.

Together,we’rebuilding a future where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.

Ready to use your voice to help save lives?We’dlove 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 visitingour careers web page.

Additionalinformation

For moreinformation about working with uspleasevisit our websiteor contact us at [e-mail].

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on:LinkedIn,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.

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 [e-mail] or 0 20 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.