Research Officer - DATAMIND TRE & MHG Observatory AI

Location:

Singleton Campus, Swansea

About The Role

This is a Fixed Term position until May 2028 working full-time.

We are seeking a Machine Learning (ML) Researcher to advance AI capabilities within DATAMIND TRE and the Mental Health Goals (MHG) Observatory (national infrastructure supporting the UK Government's commitment to mental health research). This is a 24-month fixed-term position (to March 2028) with strong extension potential, as the MHG programme is funded until March 2030.

While ML holds transformative potential for mental health research, applying these methods within Secure Data Environments (SDEs) requires specialized infrastructure and practices that align with epidemiological rigor. You will bridge this gap by making large-scale health datasets ML-ready, developing tools for responsible ML research within SDEs, and demonstrating best practices through exemplar projects.

Working within our SDE, you will:

• Engineer data pipelines that transform billions of health records into ML-ready formats while preserving data provenance and epidemiological validity.
• Develop and deploy ML tools, and workflows designed for the constraints and requirements of SDEs.
• Lead applied research projects that showcase how modern ML methods can advance mental health and suicide prevention research.

You will join a world-leading team led by Prof. Ann John (director of DATAMIND, SAGE member, Samaritans Trustee) managing over £20M in mental health research funding. Based at Swansea University Medical School (ranked #1 in the UK for Research Environment, REF 2021), you'll work with unique population-scale and cohort datasets. Enjoy flexible hybrid working minutes from the Gower Peninsula's stunning coastline, with competitive benefits including 31 days annual leave, 14.5% employer pension contribution (USS), and a lower cost of living than London or the Southeast.

We are seeking an ambitious researcher or data scientist with strong ML foundations, programming expertise (Python/SQL), and interested in bridging ML methods with epidemiological research. You combine technical rigor with the ability to communicate complex methods to clinical and public health researchers.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

Please include your Publication list in the cover letter or CV.

Closing Date: 7 April 2026

Interview Date: 20 April 2026

Informal Enquiries

• Marcos Del Pozo Banos m.delpozobanos@swansea.ac.uk
• Amanda Marchant a.l.marchant@swansea.ac.uk