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 exploring how human behaviour shapes health and wellbeing across the life course. Our work spans a wide range of public health priorities, including substance use, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, obesity, and mental wellbeing.

A defining strength of the department is its interdisciplinary approach, combining epidemiology, behavioural science, statistics, and social science to generate evidence that informs public health policy and practice.

Research Group Context

This role sits within Professor Daisy Fancourt’s Social Biobehavioural Research Group, which investigates how social behaviours, relationships, and environments influence physical and mental health outcomes.

The group’s work covers both social risk factors—such as loneliness, isolation, and population-wide restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic—and social protective factors, including cultural participation, community engagement, nature-based activities, and social prescribing initiatives. The research has strong relevance to national and international public health strategies focused on healthy ageing and prevention.

About the Role

This position forms part of GRACE-Epi, a £3.5 million Wellcome Trust Discovery Award investigating how engagement with arts and culture relates to healthy ageing across diverse global populations.

As a Research Fellow in Epidemiology & Statistics, you will play a key role in delivering the project’s quantitative research programme. Your work will focus on managing and harmonising large-scale international datasets, conducting advanced longitudinal and causal analyses, and contributing to high-impact academic outputs.

You will collaborate closely with epidemiologists, statisticians, social scientists, and international partners, helping translate complex findings into evidence that can inform public health decision-making and policy development.

The post is externally funded until 1 March 2031, offering long-term research continuity within a supportive academic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, clean, and harmonise large epidemiological and cohort datasets
• Conduct advanced longitudinal and causal statistical analyses
• Contribute to the design and execution of epidemiological research studies
• Support publication of findings in peer-reviewed journals
• Present results to academic, policy, and public audiences
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team
• Support the wider objectives of the GRACE-Epi programme

About You

You will be an analytical and motivated researcher with a strong interest in applying quantitative methods to real-world public health questions.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or near completion) in epidemiology, statistics, medical statistics, quantitative social science, or a closely related field
• Experience analysing cohort or population-based data
• Strong knowledge of longitudinal and causal inference methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines independently

Appointment Level

Appointment at Grade 7 requires a completed PhD

Candidates who have submitted but not yet been awarded a PhD will be appointed at Grade 6B (£39,148 – £41,833), with automatic progression and backdated pay upon successful PhD completion

Visa and International Applicants

This role meets the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration routes. UCL welcomes applications from international researchers requiring a visa.

Salary and Benefits

In addition to competitive pay, UCL offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support wellbeing and long-term career development.

Benefits include:

• 41 days’ leave per year (27 annual leave, 8 public holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days’ annual leave
• Membership of a defined benefit CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration-related loans and expenses
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted medical insurance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL is committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. This commitment reflects the principles set out in the Equality Act 2010.

We actively encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in higher education and research, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ individuals, and women in senior academic roles.

The department holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising sustained progress in advancing gender equality.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

• A CV
• An online application form

A personal statement addressing each essential and desirable criterion