The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
Data Connect, a service within the University's Research and Innovation IT team, is seeking an enthusiastic Data Scientist to contribute to the development and delivery of multiple health data assets. Data Connect works closely with stakeholders across our region including the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment. Together we are working to make both regional and national health and social care data available to researchers via our developing ISO27001, NHS DSPT and SDE accredited platform.
As a Junior Data Scientist within Data Connect, You will help support a steady stream of project requests from researchers requesting health and social care data extracts and work on a range of technical deliverables that span the ‘data for research’ lifecycle. You will collaborate with our team of Data Scientists and Data Managers to develop secure data pipelines, process and curate research datasets, maintain and refresh the data assets. You will also provide essential support to researchers throughout the data for research lifecycle, from feasibility assessments to data delivery.
You will be working as part of a wider team that includes Project, Product and Delivery Managers, Engineers and Data Managers. By joining our dynamic team, you will have the opportunity to work with leading experts in the field and contribute to groundbreaking research that directly impacts people's lives.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
The Junior Data Scientist will work closely with the Data specialists in Data Connect to help with the delivery of health data extract requests and critical data updates, ensuring timely and accurate execution. Your role will involve helping troubleshoot technical challenges, providing support and guidance, and proactively identifying solutions to optimise data workflow performance and accessibility. Key responsibilities include:
- Assisting cleaning, linking, curation and processing of healthcare datasets.
- Supporting the development of data pipelines to provide approved researchers access to healthcare data extracts.
- Providing support to a range of programmes, including the ICB and the Yorkshire & Humber Secure Data Environment
- Monitoring and communicating progress, issues and blockers on current work with the Data Technical Lead and Data Connect project manager.
- Supporting the building of effective processes and data pipelines for projects to ensure best practice and reproducibility of the data processing tasks and where necessary identify and assess alternative solutions to ensure project objectives are met.
- Assessing, providing and assuring appropriate technical security controls for the data managed within Secure data Environments (SDEs)
- Assisting with technical guidance and support for the team
- Provide support for approved researchers, including validating data, spinning up virtual machines for research groups and enabling access to the relevant data as appropriate, providing support for researchers using the environment and dealing with any data, access or environment issues that arise.
- Assisting with technical support to improve the findability of data, providing metadata for datasets maintained within the Secure Data Environment.
- Be an active member of the team taking on data management tasks as required
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
As a member of the Research and Innovation team with IT Services, the role will also require engagement with activities to share skills, knowledge and experience more widely to improve how we work together to meet the strategic objective of the University as a whole.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
- Database querying and management skills to curate data in line with complex specifications using using query languages such as SQL (Application / Interview)
- Experience in data cleaning and linkage of datasets in a programming language (R or Python) (Application / Interview / Task)
- Software development skills and ability to demonstrate good practice and have experience with a programming language (for example, Python) (Application / Interview / Task)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to communicate clearly and confidently with senior data team members and researchers (in the NHS and elsewhere) (Application / Interview / Task)
- An understanding of how to handle sensitive data, in line with data governance processes and data standards (Application / Interview / Task)
Desirable criteria
- Experience in using a version control system (for example, Git) (Application / Interview / Task)
Further Information
Grade: 6
Salary: £31,637- £36,130 per annum
Work arrangement: Full-time
Duration: Fixed-term until 31 March 2026
Line manager: Data Scientist
Direct reports: None
Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/about (opens in new window)
For informal enquiries about this job contact Kate O’Sullivan on
[email protected]Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an interview and technical test with a chance to meet the existing team. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage at least a week before interviews. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
[email protected]Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Criminal record
A
basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
