HDRC Data Scientist

Job Introduction

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic data scientist with a deep-rooted commitment to the power of research and data to drive policy changes that have the potential to have real impact on our citizen’s lives. Bradford Council has secured £4.7 million funding from the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to establish a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). We are building a new team of enthusiastic professionals who will work together to transform the Council into an evidence led organisation that works as an equal partner in generating evidence that is used to deliver high quality interventions and life changing services to our citizens. 

Bradford is a vibrant community with innovative businesses and institutions that make up our large, young, and diverse city.  At the heart of the north, the district possesses unmatched potential, a growing pipeline of talent, and an exceptional quality of life. But there is a ten-year life expectancy gap between the most deprived and least deprived areas of the Bradford district.  Addressing these inequalities is one of our key priorities, and doing what we have always done is no longer an option.  Our ability to address such inequalities will be improved by better research and evidence, and as a key member of the HDRC, you will be at the heart of achieving this.  Our team will develop the research infrastructure that will transform understanding of our people, places, and determinants, as well as make the most appropriate use of data to reduce health disparities. We will bring together expertise across Bradford Council, the NHS, as well as universities in Bradford, Leeds, and York to achieve our outcomes. 

We are seeking to appoint enthusiastic data scientists with a deep-rooted commitment to the power of research and data to drive policy changes that have the potential to have real impact on our citizen’s lives. Following a successful bid for funding from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Bradford has recently created a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) with £4.7million of funding due over the next four years.

Across the Bradford district (and beyond), health inequalities are rife, with a ten-year life expectancy gap across the most and least deprived areas of the district. Better research and evidence will help us better address such inequalities. The HDRC will build research infrastructure that will transform understanding of our people, places, determinants, and approaches that have the greatest impact on health inequalities and make the most appropriate use of the resources available. It will allow Bradford Council to choose, use, and generate research independently so it is an equal and effective partner in Bradford’s research environment. The HDRC data scientists will be pivotal to achieving these goals.

 The HDRC will bring together expertise from partners across Bradford Council, the NHS, Universities of Bradford, Leeds and York, and beyond to investigate the causes and consequences of health inequality. The findings will shape local, regional and national policies and decisions. HDRC data scientists will collaborate with a vibrant data science community to deliver high quality applied research and implementation into local authority practice.

Underpinning the work will be the world-renowned research centres, the Bradford Institute for Health Research and Leeds Institute of Data Analytics and research programmes, such as the Born in Bradford cohort study. These provide the foundation for developing a whole council and system approach to using research to drive policy. This work will build on and amplify existing programmes including City of Research and Connected Bradford. The HDRC data scientists will be able to use and develop their data and research skills, knowledge and expertise with leading research centres and programmes across our academic partners.

 The core competencies for this role are as follows:

Provide data science skills (SQL, R, Python or similar), knowledge and expertise in the HDRC

· Establish links with project partners (internal and external) and work to provide data-led solutions to Bradford’s challenges

• · Collaborate with other departments, partners and stakeholders to develop a broad understanding of locally available datasets
• ·Represent the HDRC at relevant meetings and contribute to presentations, policy documents and other outputs
• ·  Support the development of skills and knowledge in advanced analytics, data analysis and visualisation within the Local Authority
• · Work with leading researchers, public health consultants and internal and external data partners to deliver the aims of the HDRC
• · Plan and deliver research activity in collaboration with project investigators and other members of the HDRC team
• · Contribute to the overall research of the HDRC by producing measurable outputs, such as peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations

This is an outstanding opportunity to use your data scientist expertise to bring to life NIHR’s multi- million pound investment in Bradford Council, boosting its capacity and capability to conduct high-quality data science.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact Rob Shore on rob.shore@bradford.gov.uk.

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf 

Equal Opportunities 

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants. 

 The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.