Senior Research Associate in Health Data Science/Epidemiology

We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher with experience in epidemiology and a range of different analytical methods.  You will be responsible for conducting and disseminating high-quality translational research concerned with improving the evidence base for the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related complications, such as miscarriages, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and perinatal depression. In particular, this post will involve triangulating evidence from different analytical methods, such as within sibling, negative control, trial emulation, and instrumental variable analyses, applied to large scale electronic health records (EHR) data from different populations. You will also use appropriate methods to explore the potential application for improving prediction and early diagnosis of pregnancy-related complications.

You will join the vibrant interdisciplinary research environment in the Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), linked to Professor Deborah Lawlor’s and Dr Carolina Borges’ Unit programme on pregnancy health. You will benefit from the collaborative multi-disciplinary research environment of the MRC IEU, Population Health Sciences , and the Bristol Medical School and will have access to a range of training and career development opportunities.

Research Responsibilities

• Conduct research using a large-scale EHR data from national and international populations to improve cardiovascular/metabolic health related to reproduction and pregnancy health
• Contribute to analytical methods development and triangulation of evidence from different methods, such as negative control, within sibling and trial emulation analyses and instrumental variable analyses
• Generate ideas, develop and execute analysis plans
• Clean and analyse large-scale, high-dimensional datasets
• Develop analytical tools, pipelines, and repositories for use in their own work and of the group
• Write scientific papers for peer reviewed journals
• Present research findings at local, national, and international meetings and conferences
• Contribute with supervision of PhD students

Administration Responsibilities

• Thorough documentation and version control of all code developed
• Preparation, annotation and documentation of datasets
• Engagement and collaboration with researchers within the IEU and externally
• Assist with the organisation of meetings linked to the IEU

Essential

Experience in Epidemiology, standard statistical methods (e.g. regression models), knowledge of the assumptions underlying different analytical methods and sensitivity analyses that might be used to explore assumptions of different methods, using Linux/Unix operating systems, using R, Python or other common languages, and liaising with external collaborators.

Desirable

Experience in triangulating (integrating) results from different analytical methods and data sources, whilst taking account of different sources of bias across the different methods/data sources. Experience of using high-performance computing on a cluster, developing/sharing open-source code. Previous experience using electronic health records data is also desirable.

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/10/2026

Work pattern: Full time/1 FTE

Grade: Grade J/Pathway 2

Salary: £41,732 – £46,974 per annum depending on previous experience

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 06/03/2024

For informal queries please contact: Dr Gemma Clayton ([email protected])

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Available documents

We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher with experience in epidemiology and a range of different analytical methods.  You will be responsible for conducting and disseminating high-quality translational research concerned with improving the evidence base for the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related complications, such as miscarriages, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and perinatal depression. In particular, this post will involve triangulating evidence from different analytical methods, such as within sibling, negative control, trial emulation, and instrumental variable analyses, applied to large scale electronic health records (EHR) data from different populations. You will also use appropriate methods to explore the potential application for improving prediction and early diagnosis of pregnancy-related complications.

You will join the vibrant interdisciplinary research environment in the Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU), linked to Professor Deborah Lawlor’s and Dr Carolina Borges’ Unit programme on pregnancy health. You will benefit from the collaborative multi-disciplinary research environment of the MRC IEU, Population Health Sciences , and the Bristol Medical School and will have access to a range of training and career development opportunities.

Research Responsibilities

• Conduct research using a large-scale EHR data from national and international populations to improve cardiovascular/metabolic health related to reproduction and pregnancy health
• Contribute to analytical methods development and triangulation of evidence from different methods, such as negative control, within sibling and trial emulation analyses and instrumental variable analyses
• Generate ideas, develop and execute analysis plans
• Clean and analyse large-scale, high-dimensional datasets
• Develop analytical tools, pipelines, and repositories for use in their own work and of the group
• Write scientific papers for peer reviewed journals
• Present research findings at local, national, and international meetings and conferences
• Contribute with supervision of PhD students

Administration Responsibilities

• Thorough documentation and version control of all code developed
• Preparation, annotation and documentation of datasets
• Engagement and collaboration with researchers within the IEU and externally
• Assist with the organisation of meetings linked to the IEU

Essential

Experience in Epidemiology, standard statistical methods (e.g. regression models), knowledge of the assumptions underlying different analytical methods and sensitivity analyses that might be used to explore assumptions of different methods, using Linux/Unix operating systems, using R, Python or other common languages, and liaising with external collaborators.

Desirable

Experience in triangulating (integrating) results from different analytical methods and data sources, whilst taking account of different sources of bias across the different methods/data sources. Experience of using high-performance computing on a cluster, developing/sharing open-source code. Previous experience using electronic health records data is also desirable.

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/10/2026

Work pattern: Full time/1 FTE

Grade: Grade J/Pathway 2

Salary: £41,732 – £46,974 per annum depending on previous experience

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 06/03/2024

For informal queries please contact: Dr Gemma Clayton ([email protected])

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Available documents