Research Fellow in Epidemiology & Statistics(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Department

The Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health at UCL is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary research into how human behaviour influences health and wellbeing across the life course. The department brings together expertise from epidemiology, psychology, statistics, public health, and social science to address some of the most pressing challenges in population health.

Research activity spans a wide range of public health priorities, including alcohol and tobacco use, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, mental health, and healthy ageing. The department places a strong emphasis on methodological rigour, policy relevance, and real-world impact.

The Research Group

This post is based within Professor Daisy Fancourt’s Social Biobehavioural Research Group, which investigates how social behaviours, relationships, and environments shape physical and mental health outcomes. The group’s work spans both social risk factors—such as loneliness, isolation, and societal disruption—and protective social assets, including cultural participation, community engagement, interaction with nature, and social prescribing.

The Role

We are recruiting a Research Fellow in Epidemiology and Statistics to contribute to GRACE-Epi, a £3.5 million Wellcome Trust Discovery Award examining the relationship between arts and cultural engagement and healthy ageing at a global scale.

The post-holder will play a central role in the epidemiological analysis underpinning the programme. This includes managing and harmonising large, complex datasets from multiple international cohorts, and applying advanced longitudinal and causal inference methods to investigate associations between social and cultural engagement and health outcomes across the life course.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of epidemiology, social science, and public health policy within a high-profile, long-term research programme.

Key Responsibilities

Data Management and Analysis

• Manage, clean, document, and harmonise large-scale longitudinal datasets.
• Conduct advanced statistical analyses using longitudinal and causal inference methods.
• Support cross-national comparative analyses and reproducible research workflows.

Research Outputs and Collaboration

• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary academic teams and international partners.
• Present findings to academic, policy, and public audiences where appropriate.

Project Support

• Support the delivery of milestones within the GRACE-Epi programme.
• Maintain accurate documentation and version control for data and analysis pipelines.
• Contribute to ethical, governance, and data protection requirements.

About You

You will be a highly motivated and organised researcher with:

• A PhD in epidemiology, statistics, medical statistics, quantitative social science, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experience analysing cohort or population-based data.
• Expertise in longitudinal modelling and causal inference methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively.

Applicants who have submitted but not yet been awarded their PhD may be appointed initially at Grade 6B, with automatic progression and salary backdating upon PhD award.

What We Offer

UCL offers a supportive and inclusive research environment alongside an excellent benefits package, including:

• 41 days of leave per year (annual leave, bank holidays, and closure days)
• Defined benefit career-average pension scheme (CARE)
• Additional annual leave purchase scheme
• Immigration loan and visa support
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• Cycle-to-work scheme and season ticket loans
• On-site nursery, gym, and wellbeing services
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee assistance and staff support services

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported. The Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, reflecting its ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in higher education, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ communities, and women at senior academic levels.

Application Process

A full job description and person specification are available via the online application system. Applicants should use the personal statement section to clearly address the essential and desirable criteria.

Relevant UK Government Context and Guidance

This role aligns with UK priorities in public health, data-driven research, and healthy ageing. Applicants may find the following UK government resources useful:

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-health-improvement-and-disparities

Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

UK Science and Technology Framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-science-and-technology-framework

Visa and Employment Information

This role meets the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker and Global Talent visa routes. Appointments are subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff.