Medical Statistics and Data Scientist

Job overview

The Medical Statistics and Data Scientist will provide statistical and data science expertise to support a diverse portfolio of academic, commercial and grant-funded ophthalmic research studies within the Moorfields Reading Centre and Clinical Research Facility.

The postholder will work closely with clinicians, researchers, data scientists and external collaborators to design statistical analyses, manage research datasets, develop predictive models and contribute to high-quality publications, grant applications and regulatory reporting. The role will also support the development of advanced imaging analysis, artificial intelligence and data-driven research methodologies.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with strong analytical skills who is passionate about applying statistics and data science to improve patient care and advance ophthalmic research.

If you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as this vacancy will close as soon as we have received enough applications.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide statistical and data science expertise to support a growing portfolio of ophthalmic clinical research studies. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the postholder will contribute to study design, statistical analysis, machine learning projects, data management and research publication.

The role involves close collaboration with clinicians, Reading Centre graders, researchers, software developers and external collaborators to ensure robust analysis of complex clinical and imaging datasets. The postholder will play an important role in developing innovative analytical approaches, supporting grant-funded research and helping deliver high-quality evidence that informs clinical practice.

The successful candidate will also contribute to the continuous development of the Reading Centre's research infrastructure, supporting reproducible research practices, quality assurance and the integration of advanced data science techniques into clinical research programmes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Technical

• To independently provide all statistical interpretation, analysis, and modelling for grant funded studies that include highly specialised areas such as developing risk scores, predictive models and linkage of large datasets
• Responsible for complex analysis of cross-disciplinary data.
• Interest in medical research (e.g. epidemiology, public health) and willingness to apply for grants to self-sustain the position during the fixed term contract.
• Experience in statistical modelling including longitudinal data analysis and survival analyses and collaborating with multiple researchers across various institutions
• Experience in conducting analysis of observational/real-world medical research data.
• Independence and initiative to work unsupervised with excellent attention to detail.
• Cross-disciplinary problem-solving and project-management skills.
• Ability to assimilate current statistical and mathematical literature on a topic and address investigations accordingly.
• Responsible for development of an appropriate research methodology in order to address the research objective; compile and analyse quantitative and qualitative data, prepare reports and present results to summarise main findings and conclusions.
• Responsible for interpretation of large amount of data in conjunction with the research team, putting acquired information into context with other clinical tests.
• Responsible for the transfer of technical information on statistics to research fellows and students.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of a range of specialised data requiring expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge.
• A honorary contract with UCL will be established to ensure that collaborations with UCL is developed.

Management

• Responsible for the supervision of the Research students working within the CRF and R&D, ensuring their training is appropriate for statistical analysis where necessary.
• Undertake training of junior staff where appropriate to facilitate the attainment of core statistics competencies.
• Manage own workload effectively and efficiently, planning and prioritising activities to meet the needs of the service.
• Carry out duties with a high degree of autonomy on a day to day level but appropriately identifying areas requiring further training and support or supervision.
• Attend national and international meetings where appropriate and feedback new developments/techniques learned at teaching sessions to benefit rest of department.

Research

Undertake study-specific duties delegated by the Principal Investigators in accordance with the protocol and in compliance with ICH GCP guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures and Trust policies.

Generate and implement ideas for research projects on new and existing data analysis techniques. This will involve:-

• Supervise study progress to ensure compliance with and adherence to the project plan and to identify, evaluate and rectify barriers. Submit monthly reports to PI.
• Liaison with the grant funders, research sponsor organisation, auditors, monitors and inspectors regarding compliance with Research Governance, Good Clinical Practice, Data Protection and Ethical Requirements.
• Work with the Principal/Chief Investigator to ensure that the trial is meeting its targets, is producing meaningful output and to predict and plan any changes that warrant requests to changes in protocol, funding or time.
• To manage workload priorities ensuring the more urgent and important tasks are completed first within required timescales.
• To be proactive in the identification of workload or process issues that affect clinical service provision and, with the support of the Research Operations Manager, develop and implement action plans to resolve the issues.

NB This role description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent developments, in consultation with the post holder.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.