Research Software Engineer

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is seeking a Research Data Engineer to support the management of large volumes of data, particularly in oncology. This role focuses on delivering advanced data engineering solutions and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree in Computer Science and significant experience in data architecture and cloud platforms. The position offers competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Reduced cost bus travel

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or related field.
• Proven experience in enterprise data architectures management.
• Proficiency in programming languages, especially Python.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage data architectures for large-scale projects.
• Lead integration and analytics projects for the healthcare sector.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support healthcare improvements.

Skills

Data engineering

Programming in Python

Stakeholder management

Cloud computing (Azure, AWS)

Agile project management

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Apache Spark

Hadoop

Job description

Job Summary

Join CUH during an exciting phase of innovation in healthcare, research and education as we look to establish and develop a hub for our wide-ranging innovation work across the Trust.

The Research Data Engineer is a key role in this new Unit, contributing to the delivery of advanced data engineering solutions to manage large volumes of data effectively. The role has a particular focus on supporting the technical delivery and implementation of key commercial partnerships, curating viable, deep, longitudinal and anonymised research datasets, with an initial focus on oncology. In doing so, you will support the generation of new insights and cutting‑edge applications that enhance patient outcomes, operational efficiency and service transformation.

You will not only display a high degree of technical proficiency, but also be passionate about the potential for data science and engineering to influence real‑world healthcare improvements and have a desire to proactively work with multi‑disciplinary teams to realise impact from your work.

Our Innovation agenda is nascent but has grand aspirations. We work within a unique ecosystem on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, part of the largest centre of life science and medical research in Europe.

Job Description & Responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed‑term contract. For secondments, you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed‑term contract, you are able to apply for this as a fixed‑term position.

The advert will close at midnight on 22 January 2026.

Benefits to You

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff. On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Key Information

Date posted – 09 January 2026
Pay scheme – Agenda for change
Band – Band 8a
Salary – £55,690 to £62,682 a year p.a. pro rata
Contract – Fixed term (24 months)
Working pattern – Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working
Reference number – 180‑F‑CVA398
Job location – Addenbrookes Hospital‑Division Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field or equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Strong specialist knowledge and ongoing education in data engineering
• Advanced qualifications in cloud computing or data engineering or equivalent experience

Experience

• Significant experience designing and managing enterprise data architectures in a complex organisation
• Proven track record of leading and delivering large‑scale data integration, engineering, and analytics projects
• Strong expertise in cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, MS Fabric, AWS) and modern data tools (e.g. Apache Spark, Hadoop)
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g. Python, SQL, Java)
• Extensive experience in stakeholder management and collaboration across health and local government to drive improvements and change
• Experience in strategic and organisational business planning, including writing and implementing policy, guidance documents, and complex operational business cases
• Experience presenting complex technical material in an accessible format to senior audiences, supporting decision‑making
• Experience supporting team activities or mentoring colleagues
• Experience applying for and securing research funding
• Practical experience in data engineering and software development in the NHS
• Experience working with routinely collected clinical data and large‑scale NHS data engineering projects
• Experience with AI‑supported coding and software development workflows
• Experience working in or with Healthtech SMEs

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of cloud environments and architectures
• Strong understanding of best practices in data engineering, ETL, and data science, including test‑driven development, continuous integration, and version control
• Comprehensive understanding of data protection laws (GDPR) and cybersecurity principles
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks and ethical considerations in data use
• Knowledge of common health data models (e.g. OMOP) and healthcare ontologies (e.g. SNOMED CT, ICD‑10)
• Experience using machine learning, network analysis, and NLP in healthcare settings

Skills

• Strong adaptability to new software and programming languages
• Skilled in data management system implementation and optimisation (Databases, Data Lakes, Lakehouses)
• Ability to design and implement data pipelines that extract, process, and analyse sensitive data for decision‑making
• Experience with test‑driven development and continuous integration in data pipeline designs
• Ability to communicate complex data insights to senior executives, using tact and diplomacy to influence decisions
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex programs efficiently
• Flexibility in workload management, including handling multiple projects with conflicting demands
• Experience participating in and leading Agile project teams
• Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and highly organised
• Ability to conduct statistical analysis, including Bayesian statistics, inferential statistics, probability distributions, and dimensionality reduction

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
• Improvement mindset – able to identify flaws in our internal Quality Management processes, prioritise, and lead / complete improvement actions.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to learn new skills.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work.
• Seeks and uses professional support appropriately.
• Able to work under pressure and to deadlines.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship / Skilled Worker

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/visa\, and immigration. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Employer

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Addenbrookes Hospital‑Division Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Website: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk