Role: Assistant/Associate Professor in Statistical Data Science
Department: School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE) Open Ended
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 building‑closed days for all full‑time staff (part‑time workers pro rata by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.
Detailed Description:
Heriot‑Watt University invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor in Statistical Data Science with a specialisation in health and medical applications. This role is pivotal in advancing the university’s research and teaching capabilities in statistical data science with a particular focus on applied statistics and statistical machine learning within healthcare.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the curriculum, drive impactful research, and contribute to public health policy and outcomes through innovative data science applications.
Located in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics, this position provides access to interdisciplinary resources and collaboration opportunities with leading researchers and industry partners.
The anticipated start date is September 2026.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Research Leadership
- Lead and contribute to large-scale research projects applying statistical data science to health and medical data addressing critical challenges in healthcare.
- Secure research funding from research councils, industry partners and health‑related organisations, building an independent funding portfolio.
- Build and sustain collaborations with interdisciplinary teams across departments such as Biomedical Engineering to drive impactful research that influences healthcare policies and public health outcomes.
- Disseminate research findings through high‑impact journal publications, conferences and public engagement activities.
Teaching and Curriculum Development
- Develop and deliver new postgraduate taught programmes related to statistical data science targeting numerate students from diverse fields such as the health sciences, biology, psychology and urban planning.
- Innovate curriculum content in statistical data science focusing on health data applications, machine learning, epidemiology and geospatial data science.
- Supervise graduate and postgraduate students, supporting their research projects and career development with a specific focus on health‑related data science.
- Ensure teaching methodologies incorporate real‑world health data, enhancing students’ practical skills in applying statistical methods in healthcare contexts.
Interdisciplinary and Industry Collaboration
- Establish and maintain partnerships with healthcare organisations and industry stakeholders, advancing the university’s contributions to healthcare innovation and public health improvements.
- Engage in consultancy and collaborative projects with public health bodies such as the NHS and Public Health Scotland, providing research evidence that informs and shapes public health policies.
- Position the university as a leader in statistical data science in healthcare, enhancing its research impact, innovation and influence in public health.
Public Engagement and Community Impact
- Participate in public outreach initiatives sharing research insights that contribute to societal understanding of health data science.
- Actively engage in professional organisations and community health projects, fostering public engagement and enhancing the university’s visibility in health and care innovation.
- Influence public health policies by providing expert consultation and evidence‑based insights from research.
We encourage applications from under‑represented groups and welcome requests for flexible working arrangements, which are normally accommodated.
Education Qualifications and Experience
- PhD in statistical data science, applied statistics, epidemiology or a closely related field.
- Strong research background in statistical data science with applications to health or medical data, evidenced by a track record of high‑impact publications.
- Experience in securing research funding, ideally with a focus on health‑related data science.
- Demonstrable teaching experience with a commitment to developing and delivering data science programmes tailored to interdisciplinary and healthcare applications.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including academic colleagues, industry partners and public health organisations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage students, colleagues and the wider community.
- Established network within healthcare or health‑related research communities.
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary approaches and translational research in health data science.
- Experience in mentoring and supervising postgraduate research students.
Key Performance Indicators
- Research Output: Annual publications in high‑impact journals, research grants secured and impactful interdisciplinary research projects developed.
- Teaching Excellence: Positive student evaluations, number and quality of new courses developed, successful launch and growth of new MSc programmes.
- Industry Engagement: Sustained partnerships with healthcare and industry stakeholders, evidenced by collaborative projects and consultancy engagements.
- Public Health Impact: Contributions to improved healthcare outcomes and policies through applied research and public outreach.
- Professional Development: Active participation in relevant workshops, certifications and continuous education in data science and health informatics.
About Our Team
The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences offers a warm and supportive environment with staff from all over the world. It is internationally renowned in actuarial science, statistics and statistical data science, applied probability and financial risk through its world‑leading research activities, and has an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit via the Heriot‑Watt University online recruitment system: (1) a cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) a full CV detailing research, teaching experience and industry engagement; (3) a research statement summarising past work and future research goals; (4) a one‑page summary of their teaching philosophy or approach to teaching; and (5) a list of publications.
Applications can be submitted up until midnight on Sunday 14 December 2025.
If you have any questions or would like to explore whether this opportunity is right for you, you are welcome to contact the Head of Department, Professor George Streftaris.
Interviews are expected to take place in early February 2026.
Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to creating an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits. The university welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‑represented groups, and encourages flexible working patterns such as part‑time working and job‑share options.
