Data Scientist (Fixed Term)

The MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge are offering an exciting opportunity for a Data Scientist to join a vibrant research group and contribute to important research on understanding how children's physical activity and travel patterns change as a result of environmental and policy interventions.

The role focusses on cleaning and processing locational (GPS) data collected from the CHILL study and combining it with time-stamped physical activity data to derive information about how children interact with their environment. CHILL is a cohort study funded by National Institute for Health Research evaluating the impact of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in London on children's health (www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/research/studies/chill). The study is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team; the Unit leads the processing of the physical activity and locational data collected as part of the study. You will work closely with team members as well a network of national and international collaborators to produce and implement a detailed modular protocol for handling and processing location data by using and adapting existing open source code written in R. You will also link locational data to physical activity data collected through hip-mounted devices, and to other locational data to derive exposure to air pollution.  

You will be educated to at least degree level, normally with a higher qualification or experience in a relevant subject (e.g. informatics, epidemiology, geography) and have a proven track-record of manipulating, merging, mapping and summarising large volumes of complex location and attribute data. You will have strong quantitative analysis skills and might have some basic programming experience, for example Python or VBA. You will need to demonstrate having understood and adopted new and advanced analytical methods in previous work. Excellent time management, oral and written communication skills, with a track record of problem solving, managing your own workload, working independently and meeting deadlines, will be required.

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a department within the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine, situated within the Institute of Metabolic Science on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.  Its mission is to study the genetic, developmental, and environmental factors that cause obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic disorders and to develop strategies for their prevention. The Unit benefits from large-scale epidemiological studies, detailed datasets, and highly experienced support teams that assist researchers in delivering world-class science.

Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services including discounts on shopping, health care, financial services and public transport; defined benefits pension schemes; and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes.

This fixed post is available until end of March 2026. The role is line managed by Dr Jenna Panter and other collaborators on the project include Dr Esther van Sluijs (University of Cambridge) and colleagues at Queen Mary University of London. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced disclosure (criminal records) check.

Please contact Dr Jenna Panter (Jenna.Panter@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk) with informal enquiries.

The closing date for applications is 18th February 2025. The interview date is likely to be week commencing 24th February 2025.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2026 in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Please quote reference SJ44784 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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