Open to opportunities

Milena Mueller Santos

@milenamuellersantos

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Experienced research governance and programme manager delivering multi-partner projects.

United Kingdom

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a senior role in research governance or programme management where I can lead compliance, data-protection, and multi-partner delivery in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

I am an experienced programme and research-governance manager with a strong record of delivering complex, multi-institution projects, combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. I specialise in research governance frameworks, GDPR and data-protection, policy development, process improvement, and secure data-access across multi-partner programmes.

In my current role I lead operational and governance oversight across multiple research and engagement workstreams, developing SOPs, coordinating audit-ready documentation, managing risk and compliance, and contributing to budgeting and resource planning. I have introduced reporting platforms, run training workshops, supervised staff, and improved finance workflows to increase transparency and efficiency.

I have worked across Cambridge departments and national programmes, served as secretariat to steering committees, coordinated ethics and data-sharing agreements, and contributed to academic research and policy outputs from earlier research roles. I bring a pragmatic, collaborative approach and a strong understanding of university governance culture.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Engagement & Society Research Support Manager

Current

Wellcome Connecting Science

Dec 2022 - Present (3 years 1 month)

Lead operational and governance oversight across multiple research and engagement workstreams, implementing SOPs and GDPR-compliant data-access processes and introducing an Impact Tracker to improve reporting and training.

GDPR SOP Development Data Access Compliance Reporting Risk Management Stakeholder Engagement Budgeting

CAPE Programme Coordinator

University of Cambridge

Nov 2021 - Oct 2024 (2 years 11 months)

Led Cambridge delivery of the national CAPE programme, coordinating multi-partner data-sharing agreements, governance documentation, compliance reporting, and steering-committee secretariat duties while managing recruitment and budgets.

Data Sharing Governance Compliance Reporting Budget Management Secretariat Support

Research Associate

Northumbria University

Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 (5 months)

Conducted research on social and institutional values in urban environments, supported grant applications, coordinated international collaborations, and produced policy-facing briefings and reports.

Qualitative Research Policy Briefing Grants Collaboration Report Writing Stakeholder Engagement

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Oxford

Apr 2015 - Dec 2019 (4 years 8 months)

Researched organisational fairness and values across urban and supply-chain contexts, co-authored peer-reviewed publications and policy briefings, and coordinated ethics submissions and research communications.

Research Design Ethics Submissions Publications Policy Briefing Grant Coordination

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Oxford

Doctor of Philosophy, Management Research

Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Management Research focused on organisational fairness and related topics, supporting academic publications and research projects.