Research Data Scientist

The Bartlett School of Planning UCL; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job description

Ref Number B03-02443
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department UCL SLASH (B03)
Location London
Working Pattern Part time
Salary See advert text
Contract Type Fixed-term
Working Type Hybrid
Available for Secondment No
Closing Date 07-May-2025

About Us
University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today.

The Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research across a broad range of research themes. The Department has a long and distinguished tradition of top-quality cross and interdisciplinary research with social scientists, climate modellers, data scientists, urbanists, environmental scientists and geoscientists all working on a huge variety of projects across the domains of Environment, Resources, Heritage and Social Science. Further details of the department are at https://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/.

The role will also have a close affiliation to the UCL Social Data Institute, which offers a pioneering programme of teaching and partnerships that have particular strengths in data science, visualisation and storytelling.

The appointee will be a member of the Geospatial Analytics and Computing (GSAC) Group, which researches and develops best practice through assembling, linking, visualising and analysing diverse data sources, cognisant of relevant underpinning technologies and social processes; and developing substantive research applications in social and spatial mobility, housing market analysis, demography, disaster recovery, urban design, retailing and health.

About The Role
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a PhD/equivalent experience in geographic information science or a closely allied discipline and experience of developing and publishing research applications. This Research Data Scientist position is funded as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) which is part of the ESRC Smart Data Research UK initiative (www.sdruk.ukri.org/), delivered through the UCL Department of Geography.

You will be a core part of an interdisciplinary team that spans both UCL and the University of Liverpool. It is charged with developing and maintaining a national data service that provides ‘smart data’ to researchers.

The post holder will consolidate delivery and documentation of our Geodemographics of Gambling data product.

You will work with your management to define a portfolio of responsibilities, a mixture of service delivery, research, and innovation appropriate to your level of seniority.

As a Research Data Scientist You Will

• Create a detailed specification of the Geodemographics of Gambling data product including associated materials including pen portraits, metadata and diagnostics.
• Prepare three research papers in consultation with the line manager on the methodology for creation of this research ready data product. These will be submitted to leading international journals and responses to reviewers will be developed as appropriate.
• Develop at least one impact case study arising from data products developed by the GeoDS. This is likely to entail London case studies of changing social conditions over the last 25 years. This will require close working with the line manager and the GeoDS data journalist as appropriate.

The role requires working with Personal and Sensitive Personal Data (as defined under GDPR) and so you will be required to attain BPSS security clearance to use and manage secure data using facilities at GeoDS’s institutions. You will be expected to understand legal liability issues related to the handling of GeoDS research data and emulate best practice in this area.

About You
The successful candidate will have a PhD Degree in computer science, data science / AI, geographic information science, or allied discipline with a strong programming component, with awareness of quantitative methods and social science datasets OR equivalent professional expertise appropriate to the role. They will also have first-hand experience of analysing large and complex gambling industry operator data.

The Following Are Also Essential For The Role

• Experience of leading the writing of research publications of quality acceptable to international journals.
• Experience with the core tools of data science and analytics, in a programmatic framework such as R or Python.
• Knowledge of and commitment to technology best practices that enable the delivery of reliable, sustainable and trustworthy outputs.

What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression, and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. More information can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/about-ucl-department-geography/equality-diversity-and-inclusion.