CPRD Research Data Linkages and Data Provisioning Lead - £73,324 p.a. + benefits

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A health regulatory agency in London is seeking a Research Data Linkages and Data Provisioning Lead. You will manage observational research services, ensuring high-quality project delivery and overseeing a team. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and experience in leading epidemiological research. The role offers a competitive salary of £73,324 plus benefits, including a generous pension scheme and flexibility for remote work.

Benefits

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays

Civil Service Pension Scheme contributions

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in leading epidemiological research using large electronic health records.
• Ability to develop strategic plans for service delivery.
• Strong risk management and solution-identification skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of CPRD's observational research services.
• Oversee strategic activities contributing to CPRD objectives.
• Conduct reviews of study protocols and data requests.

Skills

Project management

Data governance

Epidemiology

Statistical analysis

Education

PhD in epidemiology, medical statistics or related discipline

Job description

Overview

We are currently looking for a Research Data Linkages and Data Provisioning Lead to join our Clinical Practice Research Datalink team in the Safety and Surveillance group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a 24-month fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 4 days per month working on site to enable collaboration with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs and can flex up to 8 days a month; the remainder of time can be remote or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. Part of the Safety and Surveillance group, The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the UK's preeminent research service providing access to anonymised NHS data for research. In addition to supporting high quality observational research, CPRD has developed world leading services based on using real world data to support clinical trials and interventional studies. This role offers an exciting opportunity to help build on the CPRD's 30-years of providing data for drug safety and epidemiological studies, resulting in over 3,500 peer-reviewed publications investigating drug safety, use of medicines, effectiveness of health policy, health care delivery and disease risk factors. Join us to help support delivery of our real-world research services that inform clinical guidance and best practice.

Role and responsibilities

• The CPRD Research Data Linkages and Data Provisioning Lead is responsible for managing the delivery of CPRD's observational research services around data linkage and data provisioning, and deputises for the Head of Observational Research at strategic internal and external meetings.
• Manage a team of researchers; ensure research projects and services are delivered to a high standard, on time and to budget; monitor and report performance against targets.
• Lead client, stakeholder and collaborator discussions; implement a programme of value adding products; oversee strategic activities that contribute to the delivery of wider CPRD objectives.
• Contribute to CPRD's research data governance process, conducting the review and moderation of study protocols and data output requests as needed.
• Lead a cross-team group to review and develop the policies, procedures and processes to support CPRD's transition to a predominantly Trusted Research Environment (TRE) based data access model, in line with the 'Five Safes framework' and ensuring alignment with TRE accreditation.
• Prepare strategic papers on data linkage, data provisioning, data outputs and related policy/procedures for consideration by the CPRD Senior Management Team.
• Oversee the delivery of team operations and priorities; lead data linkages and data provisioning; enhance observational research services; lead strategic projects and stakeholder activities; disseminate research and data characterisation outputs.
• People management.

Qualifications and experience

• PhD, or equivalent experience, in epidemiology, medical statistics or a related discipline.
• Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes, through providing the right resources to do the job, reviewing and adjusting performance expectations and rewarding success.
• Make clear, practical and manageable plans for service delivery, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory and security requirements in service delivery, and proactively managing risks and identifying solutions. Have a track record in leading epidemiological research analysing large electronic health records databases.
• Advanced project management skills with experience of allocating team resources across multiple projects aligned with strategic priorities.
• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Salary and benefits

Alongside your salary of £73,324, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £21,241 towards your Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry, rising to 30 days with service, plus 8 bank holidays; pro-rata for part-time staff.
• Privilege Leave: 1 day.
• Hours of Work: 37 hours per week (net), full-time; pro-rata for part-time staff.
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising with service.
• Mobility: Mobility clause across the Civil Service.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme and information via Civil Service Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working, interest-free season ticket loan or bike loan, employee assistance services, Civil Service Benevolent Fund, and other staff benefits.
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) and access to various clubs; ongoing learning and development.

Application process and requirements

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess candidates. Online application includes questions based on Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Applications are CV-blind. A presentation may be required during the interview stage, with further information provided later. Interviews may include questions based on Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. In the event of high application numbers, an initial sift may be based on the lead criterion of track record in leading epidemiological research analysing large electronic health records databases. Applicants are assessed on mandatory requirements as well as necessary skills and experience.

Use of AI in Job Applications: Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful.

If you require disability-related adjustments during the process, please contact [e-mail].

Closing date: Sunday 12 October 2025
Shortlisting date: Monday 20 October 2025
Interview date: Tuesday 4 and/or Thursday 6 November 2025

Applicants will be subject to UK immigration requirements, Civil Service nationality rules, and security checks. Some roles require vaccinations or health surveillance. Some pre-employment checks include Internal Fraud Database (IFD) screening. A move to MHRA may affect eligibility for childcare vouchers; other government schemes may be available.

Nationality and eligibility

UK nationals; nationals of the Republic of Ireland; nationals of Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK; nationals of the EU/EEA/CH with settled or pre-settled status; Turkish nationals with certain rights; and other categories as per Civil Service guidance. Further information on nationality requirements is available.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets standards of behaviour; we recruit on merit and promote equal opportunities. The Civil Service embraces diversity and inclusion, with schemes such as Disability Confident and Redeployment Interview Scheme.