Research Fellow in Epidemiology & Statistics(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

The research setting

UCL’s Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health is internationally recognised for advancing understanding of how human behaviour shapes health outcomes across the life course. The department brings together epidemiology, statistics, psychology, and public health to address pressing challenges such as chronic disease, health inequalities, and population wellbeing.

This role sits within Professor Daisy Fancourt’s Social Biobehavioural Research Group, a leading team examining how social experiences influence physical and mental health. The group’s work spans both social risk factors—such as loneliness, isolation, and pandemic-related restrictions—and protective social resources including cultural participation, community engagement, contact with nature, and social prescribing. This research directly supports national public health priorities outlined by the UK Office for Health Improvement and Disparities:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-health-improvement-and-disparities

About the project

The post is funded through a £3.5 million Wellcome Trust Discovery Award (GRACE-Epi), a long-term international programme investigating how engagement with arts and culture relates to healthy ageing. Using large-scale epidemiological data from multiple countries, the project aims to generate robust evidence that can inform public health policy and prevention strategies.

This work aligns closely with UK government objectives on healthy ageing and prevention, including those set out in the Department of Health and Social Care’s ageing and prevention agenda:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

Your role

As Research Fellow, you will play a central role in the statistical and epidemiological analysis of complex longitudinal datasets. You will be responsible for managing, harmonising, and analysing cohort data, applying advanced causal and longitudinal methods to explore relationships between social and cultural engagement and health outcomes over time.

You will collaborate closely with senior academics, international partners, and other quantitative researchers, contributing to high-impact publications and policy-relevant outputs. The role offers substantial scope for methodological development, intellectual leadership, and contribution to evidence that informs population-level interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare, clean, and harmonise large-scale epidemiological datasets
• Conduct advanced longitudinal and causal statistical analyses
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and research reports
• Support interdisciplinary collaboration across international partners
• Communicate findings clearly to academic, policy, and non-academic audiences
• Deliver work to agreed milestones within a long-term funded programme

The research outputs are expected to inform evidence-based policy, including strategies supported by the UK Health Security Agency and wider public health systems:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency

About you

You will hold a PhD in epidemiology, statistics, medical statistics, quantitative social science, or a closely related field (or be close to completion). You will have strong experience analysing cohort data using advanced statistical techniques, including longitudinal and causal inference methods.

You will be highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage complex analytical tasks to deadline. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as you will be contributing to publications, reports, and collaborative discussions across disciplines.

Contract, grade, and visa information

The post is externally funded until 1 March 2031 in the first instance. Appointment at Grade 7 is subject to PhD completion; candidates awaiting award will be appointed at Grade 6B initially, with automatic backdated progression upon successful submission of the thesis.

UCL is a licensed sponsor and welcomes applications from international candidates who require a visa, subject to eligibility under UK Visas and Immigration rules. Further information on the Skilled Worker and Global Talent routes is available 

What UCL offers

UCL provides a supportive and well-resourced research environment, alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 41 days of leave per year (including closure days and bank holidays)
• A defined-benefit CARE pension scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Immigration and relocation support (where applicable)
• On-site nursery, gym, and wellbeing services
• Enhanced family leave and employee assistance programmes

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

As London’s Global University, UCL is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all staff can thrive. We actively encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in academia, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ communities. The department holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising sustained progress in advancing gender equality.