Job Description

Ref Number

B04-06030

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL BEAMS (B04)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Permanent

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

14-May-2025

About us

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The Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is globally recognised as a leading academic department, researching and teaching the science of cities. A truly interdisciplinary centre, with staff hailing from backgrounds in subjects as diverse as Geography, Transport Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Statistics, Planning, Architecture, the Humanities and the Social Sciences, for more than 20 years we have been combining theory with novel data, sensors, computational models, analysis and cutting edge visualisation to generate new knowledge and insights addressing problems with a spatial dimension and an urban and regional focus. Our work in inherently applied and looks to influence urban planning, policy and design in both the public and private spheres. Educating only postgraduates, our degree programmes have gained a reputation for excellence and inclusivity, with student cohorts also reflecting a hugely diverse range of academic backgrounds. Further information can be found on our website at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/casa/

About the role

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This research role is on the project PREDICT - which brings together clinicians and data scientists from Barts Health and Barts Life Sciences, natural language processing specialists Clinithink, and experts in urban analytics from University College London. Barts aims to reduce life-threatening illnesses caused by undiagnosed heart valve disease, to redress health inequalities and to reduce the suffering and costs of heart valve disease through earlier detection. Bart's NHS Trust is developing a community-facing service for heart tests, which need to be better targeted. The main research task of the UCL team will be working on the work packages, i.e., Social Geography Mapping of NE London Valvular Risk and better detection of valve diseases. The role requires close work with academics at the Centre of Advanced Spatial Analysis (Dr Chen Zhong) and the Department of Geography (Dr Stephen Law) at UCL and with industrial partners from Barts. Duties and responsibilities will include: Review the latest literature on the health population and in particular, data-driven and machine-learning methods applied to improve health services; Construct a semantically enriched social and environmental health determinants database, gathering data from open sources and integrating it with clinical data from Barts; Constructing spatial regression and machine learning models (or other models) to predict patients at risk of undiagnosed heart valve disease; Visualising the outcomes through geographical mapping; Assisting Barts's research team in exploring multi-modal data science approaches to establish culturally appropriate community diagnostic hubs; The role requires good communication skills with academics, clinic and non-clinic staff and potentially the public; Participate in meetings with UCL colleagues on research and project progress, and in meetings with the wider project consortium; Write academic papers for conferences and journal publications in collaboration with UCL and Barts's colleagues; Share academic outputs through project presentations, conferences, and any public engagement events; Adhere to guidelines on research ethics, data security, storage and protection. The post is available from 1 July 2025 and is funded until 30 June 2027 in the first instance. Starting salary offered will be in the range of 43,374- 49,253 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance, due to limited amount of funding available. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary - 38,607-41,255 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information. We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible. For any queries about the role please contact Chen Zhong (c.zhong@ucl.ac.uk). A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. To apply for the vacancy please click on the 'Apply Now' button below.

About you

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The postholder will have a PhD degree (or soon to complete) in a relevant discipline, for example, geography, GIS, spatial data science, computer science, engineering. Appointment at Grade 7 requires a completed PhD in a relevant discipline. Other essential criteria include: Knowledge of a programming language for reproducible spatial data analysis and modelling (e.g. Python, R); Good knowledge of research challenges in health geography; Familiarity with geographic data sets and ability to manipulate, analyse, and visualise this data in relation to accessibility, spatial inequality, and spatial organisation; Excellent understanding in applying spatial data science methods, e.g., spatial clustering, regression, optimisation and machine learning methods; Ability to design and conduct quantitative research in the field of urban geography, and health geography; Ability to communicate the research with people from diverse background; Proven ability to write up research findings in the form of peer reviewed journal publications and/or conference proceedings; A positive and flexible attitude with a willingness to take on new areas of application and to contribute to the development of the research; Good reliability, motivation and organisational skills in the workplace, able to manage a varied workload whilst still being able to meet deadlines and displaying evidence of the ability to complete tasks and projects to a high standard with limited supervision. For full list of essential and desirable criteria, please see a job description and person specification at the bottom of this page.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: - 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days); - Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme; - Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE); - Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan; - Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts; - On-Site nursery; - Onsite gym; - Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay; - Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service; - Discounted medical insurance. Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity- inclusion/