Senior Business Analyst (Research Data)

Senior Business Analyst (Research Data)
 

Salary: £49,000 - £58,000 plus benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Location: Stratford, London (2 Redman Place) with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 30 August 2026
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment Process: Two competency-based interviews with a scenario-based exercise
Interview Dates: TBC

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Every day, our researchers generate vast amounts of data that have the potential to unlock new discoveries and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. We're investing in a major transformation programme to develop a Research Datahub that will make research data more accessible, connected and impactful.

We're looking for a Senior Business Analyst with a passion for data, research and solving complex challenges. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of research, technology and data governance, partnering with scientists, data owners and technical teams to shape how research data is managed and shared across the organisation. Your work will directly contribute to enabling faster scientific insights and advancing our mission to beat cancer.

What will I be doing?

• Lead business analysis activities across the delivery of our Research Datahub programme, supporting the transformation of research data management and governance.

• Work closely with researchers, data owners and technical teams to understand, model and prioritise business and data requirements.

• Drive improvements in data sharing and FAIR data practices (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) to maximise the value of research data.

• Translate complex business and data requirements into actionable user stories, epics and acceptance criteria within Agile delivery teams.

• Build influential stakeholder relationships across all levels of the organisation to align business needs with strategic technology solutions.

• Evaluating strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, suggesting areas of improvement, and challenging as needed. 

• Identify opportunities, risks, dependencies and process improvements, ensuring solutions deliver measurable value and impact.

What are we looking for?

• Significant Business Analysis experience, ideally gained within data-intensive, research, scientific, healthcare or complex transformation environments.

• Strong experience of data analysis, data modelling, data mapping and working with large or complex datasets.

• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities whilst navigating complexity, risks and dependencies.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence decision making and build credibility across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience gathering, documenting and translating business, functional and non-functional requirements into successful technology solutions.

• Ability to evaluate existing processes, articulate pain point and recommend improvements. 

• A proactive problem solver who can simplify complex challenges and identify innovative, value-driven solutions.

Desirable

• Experience working with research communities, research datasets or scientific data platforms.

• Knowledge of data governance principles and FAIR data practices.

• Experience supporting large-scale database, data platform or data transformation programmes.

Why join us?

This isn't just another Business Analyst role. You'll play a key role in shaping a high-profile data transformation programme that will help researchers access and utilise critical data more effectively.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Influence the future of research data management within one of the world's leading cancer charities.

• Work with diverse stakeholders across research, technology and operational teams.

• Lead analysis activities on a complex and strategically important programme.

• Help deliver technology and data solutions that support life-saving research.

• Develop your expertise within a collaborative and highly skilled Business Analysis community.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

Please note that applications can't be edited once submitted.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. 

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner. 

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.