Data Engineer (Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow)


Company:	University of Plymouth
Salary:	£39,906 - £56,535
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Plymouth, PL6 8BU
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	6 Aug 2026
Closing date:	5 Sept 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented Data Engineer with strong database management, extraction and linkage expertise to join the NIHR-funded Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) at the University of Plymouth.

This post sits within the Mental Health Learning System, a 5-year programme of work bringing together the University of Plymouth, NHS partners across Plymouth and Somerset, and a wide network of collaborators, including King’s College London. The programme aims to transform how routinely collected healthcare data are linked and used, to better understand how people with serious mental health conditions access and move through services, how effectively services are working, and where improvements can be made.

About the role

In this role, you will work closely with a team of NHS service data engineers and analysts and university researchers to develop large, linked datasets, based on routinely collected health and social care service data, and prepare, extract, link, and manage data from multiple sources. Working closely with NHS, clinicians, managers, people with lived experience, knowledge mobilisation specialists and academic colleagues you will provide the quantitative data that supports service improvement and better outcomes for people using services. This project sits within a wider programme, encompassing a range of methodological approaches including qualitative research and information science. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop skills in areas such as quantitative data analyses and natural language processing, working alongside the wider research team and partners.

As an embedded role, you will be based within our two NHS partner organisations - Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Livewell, Plymouth - and required to work at least one day a week on-site initially. You will be supported with mentoring and training to develop and enhance your skills in data engineering, statistical modelling and natural language processing, including from partners at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London.

You will be supported to obtain honorary contracts with relevant NHS providers to access data. This will involve satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks, including DBS and occupational health clearance, mandatory NHS training, and compliance with local information governance requirements. You will work within University and NHS governance arrangements and will be supported by designated managers within participating services and the University.

For this role, you will need to be on site 2 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis due to funding until 31 March 2031.

A current full driving licence and willingness to travel is highly desirable as you will be required to travel to locations not easily accessible using public transport.

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