Graduate Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Exeter; Exeter; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Exeter is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Associate to support diabetes research using large, real-world health datasets (e.g., CPRD) to define key diabetes phenotypes and cohorts.

The role involves developing robust data processing pipelines, performing statistical analyses, and contributing to interpretation and communication of findings within the NHS Secure Data Environment network.

Qualifications

• Experience handling large-scale health data and datasets such as CPRD.
• Ability to develop robust, reproducible data processing pipelines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for health data.
• Experience communicating complex research findings.

Responsibilities

• Manage, curate and process large-scale health data for diabetes research.
• Develop robust data processing pipelines building on existing infrastructure.
• Define and validate clinical phenotypes and cohorts.
• Perform statistical analyses and contribute to interpretation of results.
• Communicate progress and findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Large-scale data handling

Data processing pipelines

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Education

First degree or equivalent

PhD or equivalent for Postdoctoral

Job description

Graduate Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Research Associate

This full-time fixed term post is available immediately. This post is offered as a fixed term contract and is funded by the Wellcome Trust until 30 Sep 2027.

In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.

The Role

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Associate, depending on knowledge, skills and experience, to support the work of Dr Katie Young. The successful applicant will work with a range of large, complex real-world electronic health datasets (e.g. CPRD) to define key diabetes phenotypes and cohorts. This will include the opportunity to work across the new regional NHS Secure Data Environment network, a major national infrastructure for enabling secure access to NHS data for research. They will also have opportunities to use these data to address clinically important questions in diabetes research with a particular focus on precision diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

The post will include managing, curating and processing large-scale health data, developing robust and reproducible data processing pipelines, and defining and validating clinical phenotypes, all building on our established data processing infrastructure and pipelines (https://github.com/Exeter-Diabetes). The post will also include some statistical analysis and opportunities to contribute to the interpretation and communication of research findings.

About You

Graduate Research Assistant

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience of working with large-scale data, good analytical and problem-solving skills, and an interest in developing skills in working with large, complex health datasets.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to the level of a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study. They will be able to demonstrate robust knowledge in their discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within the established research project. Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience of working with large-scale data, good analytical and problem-solving skills, and an interest in developing skills in working with large, complex health datasets.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Further information

Please contact Dr Katie Young, [e-mail]

This role closes on 22 October 2026.

How We Can Help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.