Human Cell Atlas Civic Science Engagement Fellow

Wellcome Sanger Institute; Saffron Walden; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wellcome Sanger Institute is seeking a Civic Science Engagement Fellow to lead a public engagement programme aimed at increasing public understanding and trust in single-cell genomics. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with scientists to create meaningful dialogues and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of genomic research and its societal implications.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangement

Employee wellbeing strategy and programme

Support for visa applications and extensions

Qualifications

• Experience in designing impactful public scientific engagement programmes.
• Experience working with a broad range of stakeholder groups.
• Experience communicating complex or sensitive matters with external audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a global public engagement programme.
• Interpret complex scientific outputs into accessible material.
• Monitor public attitudes toward genomics and societal issues.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Advanced degree in a STEM area or social science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Zoom

Job description

Human Cell Atlas Civic Science Engagement Fellow

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.

Are you passionate about making science accessible and meaningful to communities?

We are looking for Civic Science Engagement Fellow to join our Human Cell Atlas (HCA) team to design and lead a new public engagement programme of work for an 18 month fixed term contract.

About the role:

This role is a unique opportunity to design and lead a collaborative science engagement project that builds meaningful dialogue between researchers and the public about the societal benefits and implications of single-cell genomics.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Design and deliver an impactful global public engagement programme of work
• Work closely with the HCA scientists to interpret complex scientific outputs from HCA research into accessible material to help increase public awareness appreciation for and trust in international genomics projects.
• Liaise with external partners to facilitate the development of new creative education collaborations and learning opportunities to enable HCA scientists to share their research with a wide variety of groups.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with collaborators that may include HCA scientists, patient advocacy groups, research institutions and funding organisations.
• Work with colleagues to establish achievable objectives, outcomes, evaluation approaches and appropriate data gathering methods, and monitor progress of the project accordingly.
• Monitor developments in genomics, biodata and related societal issues and keep abreast of public attitudes to subjects relevant to HCA, for example, Artificial Intelligence in Science

About Us:

HCA is a global multidisciplinary consortium of more than 4000 members with the mission to create comprehensive reference maps of all human cells—the fundamental units of life—as a basis for both understanding human health and diagnosing, monitoring, and treating disease.

About You:

You have strong experience in designing and delivering impactful public scientific engagement programmes. You have experience working with a broad range of stakeholder groups and the cultural sensitivity to understand that different public audiences can have differing responses to the social, clinical and ethical impact of genomics. You are able to lead the design of a programme of work with the input of relevant stakeholders, and then have the skills to implement and deliver it, again with the input of HCA stakeholders.

• Advanced degree in a subject related to the work of in HCA, for instance a STEM area, social science or other discipline linked to public engagement.
• Experience of leading, designing, implementing or contributing to public engagement initiatives.
• Experience of working in research and/or with research organisations.
• Experience communicating complex or sensitive matters with external audiences.
• Excellent prioritisation, organisational and planning skills.
• Demonstrable communication skills, both verbal and written.
• High-level interpersonal skills and ability to work within small and large teams as well as a cross-working environment involving many different people and projects.
• Track record of communicating complex concepts with varied public audiences.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), ensuring that these principles are incorporated in the design and delivery of public engagement activities
• Experience with basic computer software such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom.
• Good attention to detail and ability to develop risk assessments and contingency plans.
• Experience evaluating activities.
• Experience in thinking creatively and devising innovative approaches to enabling project outputs and outcomes.

Other Information:

Salary per annum: (dependent upon skills and experience): £41,331-£49,102

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above.

As part of the collaborative nature of this project, representatives from the Broad Institute will be part of the interview panel for this role. By submitting your application, you agree that your information may be shared with them for the purpose of recruitment related to this position.

Closing Date: 6th July 2025

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. TheTechnician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members.

Human Cell Atlas Civic Science Engagement Fellow

Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton Saffron Walden, United Kingdom

Published

2025-06-10

2025-07-06 23:59 (Europe/London)
2025-07-07 00:59 (CET)

We are a world-leading genomics research institute. Our work helps improve human health and understand life on Earth.