Research Fellow (Health Informatics)

Join our world-leading group, the eScience Lab (esciencelab.org.uk) at The University of Manchester, where innovation meets impact in data-driven life science research. We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Fellow to lead work within the TREvolution project—an exciting DARE UK initiative focused on advancing Trusted Research Environments (TREs) for multi-site, AI-enabled health data analytics.

Working under the guidance of Dr Stian Soiland-Reyes and collaborating closely with Dr Carole Goble and interdisciplinary teams across the UK, you’ll drive forward metadata architecture and develop cutting-edge techniques using RO-Crate, natural language processing, and synthetic data. You’ll act as senior product owner for RO-Crate metadata across six early adopter teams, guiding technical development and shaping strategy.

What you will do:

• Lead research into metadata-driven health informatics using RO-Crate
• Investigate validation mechanisms (e.g. SHACL, SPARQL), semantic schemas and provenance profiles
• Collaborate on synthetic data modelling and NLP techniques to support safe, reusable research practices
• Support stakeholder engagement, training and product ownership across federated TREs
• Establish and nurture networks bridging metadata, text mining and FAIR data principles
• Contribute to publications, funding bids, and supervision of students

You will have:

• A PhD or equivalent experience in life science or computing discipline.
• Expertise in metadata standards, ontologies, and data architecture within health research settings
• Strong experience with Python/R for data processing, NLP and semantic web technologies.
• A proven ability to translate technical approaches for policy, health, and academic audiences.
• Excellent organisational and collaborative skills across multidisciplinary teams.

Experience with European research networks or FAIR data practices is desirable. This is your chance to shape the future of secure, scalable research using sensitive health data.

Members of University of Manchester staff get these additional benefits:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.