Data Analyst Programmer

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK university in Edinburgh is seeking a data processing support specialist to help with data services for the Gates Foundation. The successful candidate will write scalable code, maintain data workflows, and utilize R programming to automate tasks. This full-time role offers opportunities for hybrid working and professional growth, particularly in fields such as Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. With a focus on collaboration, it provides a supportive environment for addressing real-world challenges.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a numerical discipline such as Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or Mathematics.
• Demonstrable experience of R programming and modular code.
• Good knowledge of data science technologies and software engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Write, run, and maintain scripts to automate and test data processing workflows.
• Ensure code is version controlled and validated.
• Support the running of livestock models and analyses.

Skills

R programming

Data science technologies

Software engineering practices

Basic knowledge of Python

Basic knowledge of SQL databases

Education

Degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics or equivalent

Job description

Grade UE06: £34, 610- £39,906 per annum

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: 42 months

The Opportunity

We are seeking a methodological, rigorous and service-oriented individual to support data processing in SEBI‑L and provide data support services to deliver to the Gates Foundation. The post-holder will write code that is scalable, tested and validated to process project data.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and we are open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on‑campus working.

The post holder is expected to attend our weekly in-person team meetings at Easter Bush Campus. The post is available on a 42-month fixed-term contract basis.

SEBI‑Livestock is a dynamic and innovative organisation tasked with improving data and evidence in low- and middle-income countries to support better informed decision making. We provide an extensive data driven monitoring and learning service to the Gates Foundation in tracking their livestock investments. In addition, we convene a large livestock data network, Livestock Data for Decisions (LD4D) to help achieve common goals.

The postholder will work on building a scalable, tested and validated data pipeline to process livestock and aquaculture data.

This role will play a crucial part in supporting the SEBI‑L team in transforming and importing livestock data into the SEBI‑L platform.

Responsibilities will include:

• The writing, running and maintenance of scripts to automate and test data processing workflows;
• Ensuring code is version controlled, validated and robust in collaboration with other team members;
• Supporting the automating and running of livestock models and analyses.

Within this role, there is an opportunity to develop data visualization skills and to work on projects in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing.

This position is based within SEBI‑Livestock, the Centre for Supporting Evidence Based Interventions in Livestock, which is hosted by the Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh.

SEBI‑Livestock offers a collaborative, fast-paced environment with opportunities for learning, growth and the chance to contribute to addressing real‑world challenges.

Your skills and attributes for success

• Educated to degree level in a numerical discipline such as Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics or equivalent;
• Demonstrable experience of R programming and modular code;
• Basic knowledge and experience of Python and SQL databases;
• Good knowledge and experience of data science technologies and of good software engineering practices including use of version control and implementation of unit and integration tests;
• An interest in exploring the application of new technologies including Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning

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Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family‑friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 5 January 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Microsoft Teamsinterviews are planned to be held w/c 19 January 2026.