Programme Manager for Computational Cancer Biology – Part time – 0.6 FTE Part-time NEW

Programme Manager for Computational Cancer Biology

This post is based in Professor Jasmin Fisher's laboratory at the UCL Cancer Institute. The UCL Cancer Institute is a world-leading centre for cancer research, bringing together more than 400 scientists and clinicians who work collaboratively to understand cancer and translate discoveries into improved diagnostics, treatments and patient outcomes.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Programme Manager to join an ambitious and multidisciplinary research programme focused on understanding cancer using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate digital tumour twins. This programme aims to transform cancer research and precision oncology by developing a new generation of transparent, interpretable and trustworthy AI technologies that integrate machine learning, mechanistic modelling, formal verification and large-scale biomedical data.

Cancer is a complex, multi-scale disease involving interacting processes across the molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels. At the same time, advances in genomics, molecular profiling, pathology, imaging and clinical data collection have generated unprecedented volumes of multimodal cancer data. A major challenge is to integrate these diverse data sources into coherent computational frameworks that can generate biological insights, support clinical decision-making and accelerate therapeutic discovery.

The Fisher laboratory addresses this challenge through the development of tumour digital twins, which are executable mechanistic models that capture the biological behaviour of individual tumours and can be used to predict disease progression and treatment response. A central goal of the programme is to develop novel neurosymbolic AI methodologies that combine the power of large language models (LLMs), and machine learning with formal reasoning, mechanistic modelling and formal verification to automatically construct and validate transparent, interpretable biologically grounded models directly from large-scale cancer datasets and scientific knowledge.

About the role

The successful candidate will play a central role in the coordination, management and delivery of the neurosymbolic AI for cancer programme. Working closely with Professor Fisher and programme investigators, the postholder will support the strategic development and implementation of a major multidisciplinary research initiative focused on trustworthy AI and tumour digital twins. They will facilitate collaboration across a diverse team of biologists, clinicians, computer scientists, software engineers and external partners, ensuring effective communication, coordination and alignment of activities across multiple workstreams.

The Programme Manager will oversee programme planning, monitoring and reporting, supporting the delivery of scientific, technical and translational objectives while ensuring that milestones, timelines, budgets and project deliverables are achieved. They will work closely with researchers and professional services teams to coordinate research activities, data and resource management, external partnerships, funding requirements and programme governance. The postholder will also play a key role in organising meetings, workshops and dissemination activities, preparing reports and briefing materials and supporting interactions with funders, collaborators and other stakeholders.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and highly motivated Programme Manager with a strong interest in biomedical research. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving a major interdisciplinary research programme at the forefront of trustworthy neurosymbolic AI, computational biology and cancer systems medicine. The position offers the opportunity to work within a world-leading research environment, coordinating collaborations across academia, healthcare and technology and helping to translate cutting-edge scientific advances into meaningful impact for cancer research and precision medicine. The ideal candidate will combine outstanding organisational and project management skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and support the delivery of an ambitious, high-profile programme of work.

For more details about the Fisher Lab, please visit: www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/fisher-lab

This post is funded for 3 years in the first instance, with a 9-month probationary period.

Interviews will be held in September 2026. The position is available from 1st October 2026, and early availability would be advantageous.

Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter: In the Cover Letter, please provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the Job Description. (By including a Cover Letter, you can leave blank the 'Why you have applied for this role' field in the application form, which is limited in the number of characters it will allow.)

We welcome applications from all candidates. Please note that applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship should be aware that this role is not normally considered eligible for sponsorship under current UK immigration rules. Applicants who would require sponsorship to take up this role should be aware that UCL is therefore unlikely to be able to sponsor an appointment to this post.

About you

You are an organised and proactive programme manager with experience coordinating complex projects and building strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. You have excellent planning, communication and problem-solving skills, and can work effectively with researchers, clinicians, technical specialists and external partners.

Ideally, you will have experience in a research, healthcare, technology or innovation environment, together with an interest in artificial intelligence, computational biology or biomedical research. Above all, you are collaborative, adaptable and motivated to help deliver ambitious research with real-world impact.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme
• Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

For rewards and benefits at UCL please visit: Staff Benefits | UCL People & Culture – UCL – University College London