Head of Global Science Policy

Salary: £84,640 - £105,800

Closing date:  Sunday, 1 November 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 1st stage (Fri, 20/11 + W/c 23/11) online/Remote; 2nd stage (w/c 30/11) Online; 3rd stage (Online)

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. 

We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

We are looking for a Head of Global Science Policy to join our Science Policy Labs leadership team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working? 

You will join Science Policy Labs, a new team in Wellcome’s Policy and Partnerships department charged with exploring, shaping and accelerating new and better ways of supporting science in service of Wellcome’s mission.  

You’ll be joining Science Policy Labs at a critical inflection point. You’ll have the opportunity to grow a new multi-disciplinary team of policy advisors, researchers and designers that is passionate about shaping the environment for, and the public impact of, science.   You’ll report to the Associate Director of Science Policy Labs and will work closely with the Head of UK and EU Science Policy as part of a three-strong leadership team charged with translating this vision into operational reality. You’ll also be a key contributor to the leadership team across the Policy and Partnerships department where we have deep policy, government relations and strategic partnerships expertise. You will also benefit from working closely with teams across the Discovery department who invest in advancing the scientific frontier in the UK and our other priority geographies in Africa and Asia.

What will I be doing? 

You’ll lead the strategic development and delivery of our work shaping global science policy to responsibly accelerate the next era of transformative scientific discoveries towards a healthier future for everyone.  

Your first task will be to work with the Associate Director to identify and recruit a world-class team and a network of Science Policy Associates.  

With that team, you’ll build a portfolio of policy research, evidence and ideas, and clear routes to influencing change. You’ll develop strategic collaborations, and design and support new methods and initiatives for accelerating solutions to science policy challenges.  

You’ll work collaboratively across Science Policy Labs and beyond to optimise use of people, budget and methods for maximum impact. Our privileged position as a major funder of discovery science creates valuable opportunities to improve the environment for science and the ways in which it will benefit everyone’s health. You’ll help us raise our ambition and realise it. 

You’ll use your superb communication skills for thought leadership, and will lead, develop and motivate the team, sharing your deep expertise generously - to set high standards for our policy research and other outputs, and to deliver consistently high calibre work that makes an impact. 

As Head of Global Science Policy in Science Policy Labs, your initial agenda will include tackling questions like: 

• How can we advance effective and equitable global stewardship of scientific data in an era of AI and science sovereignty?
• How can policy keep pace with discovery through the anticipatory governance of frontier science, including AI in science?
• How can we shape the roles of philanthropy, governments and international institutions so that scientific discoveries benefit everyone’s health?

Some desirable experience:

• Expertise in science for health, including life sciences

• Experience in both global fora and in our priority geographies (LMICs across Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia and UK)

• Demonstrable commitment to ensuring that discovery is pursued responsibly and the benefits felt by everyone. 

To apply for this role, please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirement for the role:

Minimum Criteria: 

• Deep experience and expertise in global science policy (eg the funding, conditions, institutions, incentives, governance, regulation, collaborations and impact of science and innovation). You have a track record of original thinking, high calibre policy research or metascience, analysis and impact in an international setting.
• Proven ability to take an idea from concept to reality. You have end-to-end experience of translating a high-level concept into a practical operating model. You’re comfortable with ambiguity and determining and validating strategic direction through uncertainty, securing buy-in at every stage.
• Demonstrated success in cutting through complexity and making things happen, not just managing budgets, governance and relationships effectively. You’ve built and managed teams, programmes, policy accelerators or relevant organisations to deliver on an ambitious goal. You’re a builder not just an operator.
• Strong understanding of how to influence change in science and innovation policy with relevant networks, experience and judgement on building collaborations and coalitions for impact

Applications Questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined above? (Up to 500 words)
• Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. One should involve policy influencing, and one should involve taking an initiative from zero to impact. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.

You can view the full job description on our website

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website  

Our Hybrid Way of Working 

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.

At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do 

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at [email protected]. 

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