Digital Research Data Lead

This new full-time post is available from 01/10/2025 - 30/09/2027 on a fixed-term contract and offers the opportunity of hybrid working – some time at home and some time on campus. This role is initially offered on a two-year fixed-term basis, with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and further approvals.

Shape secure, FAIR, and sustainable data services for world-class research.

Data is at the heart of modern research, underpinning every stage from discovery to impact. From vast climate records and genomic datasets to sensitive health information, research data fuels innovation, enables collaboration, and drives evidence-based decision making.

You will work in close collaboration with global technology leaders in cloud storage, data analytics, and security, ensuring Exeter’s research data services benefit from the latest advances and international best practice.

Your leadership will ensure Exeter’s research data is managed, shared, and preserved to the highest standards, enabling our researchers to produce work that is open, reproducible, and globally recognised for its integrity and impact. You will lead the development of research data services, governance frameworks, and best practice stewardship across disciplines, including secure and sensitive data environments such as our Secure Data Research Hub. You will work closely with the Digital Research Programme Manager to deliver new data capabilities and with the Digital Research Services Portfolio Manager to ensure live data services remain financially sustainable, technically robust, and responsive to researcher needs — all while meeting funder, legal, and ethical requirements.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage research data services from active use through to long-term preservation and archiving.
• Oversee governance, security, and compliance, including for Information Governance and regulatory compliance sensitive and accredited data services.
• Co-design data services and workflows with researchers and professional services.
• Develop policies, roadmaps, and sustainable funding models for research data services.
• Represent Exeter in national data infrastructure, policy, and best-practice networks.

About you
We are looking for a forward thinking and collaborative leader who can combine deep technical understanding with a commitment to research enablement. You will bring:

• Experience leading research data services or similar technical functions.
• Knowledge of data governance, FAIR principles, and open research.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience in co-design.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and deliver sustainable services.

Help Shape the Future of Research at Exeter

By joining us, you will be part of the University’s Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) programme — a major strategic investment in advanced computing, data platforms, and digital skills. This is your opportunity to help shape and deliver services that enable exceptional, world-class research across disciplines.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please don’t hesitate in applying, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Further information
For an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact the DRI Recruitment Team.

For more information about our vision for shaping the future of Digital Research Infrastructure and for details of other vacancies available in this space, please see here.

This role may be subject to additional background screening. 

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