Senior Research Data Scientist

University of Exeter
Exeter
1 year ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Research Data Scientist

Senior Research Data Scientist: Customer-First AI & ML

Senior Research Scientist: Data Science and Machine Learning AIP

Senior Research Scientist: Data Science and Machine Learning

Senior Research Scientist: Data Science and Machine Learning AIP

Senior Research Scientist: Data Science and Machine Learning AIP

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

This new full–time post is available immediately on a permanent basis.

Research Data Scientists

Following a significant in Data Science and AI skills at the University of Exeter, we are establishing a new team of Research Data Scientists to support expansion of our research and education activities. These appointments are a fantastic opportunity to join the University of Exeter and contribute to the development and delivery of an ambitious agenda using the power of data science and AI for the benefit of society.

As members of the academic community with close ties to Exeter’s , Research Data Scientists will collaborate with researchers across the university to design and apply computational approaches to extract knowledge and insight from data, and help solve research problems in an ethical, reliable and reproducible fashion.

The new team will initially consist of two Research Data Scientists and a Senior Research Data Scientist, who will join our existing group of Research Software Engineers in supporting cutting-edge research across the university. Given the vital contribution that these roles make to the university’s research portfolio we expect the team to grow quickly, building on the highly successful model of our Research Software Engineering team which has expanded from 4 to 15 roles in three years.

About you

As a Senior Research Data Scientist, you will provide line management and technical mentorship for RDSs within the team. You will play an important role in assisting the Head of Research Software and Analytics to set the strategic direction for the new team, establish and embed good working practises, and build a vibrant pipeline of collaborative research projects to ensure the continued growth and success of the team.

Successful applicants will be talented, versatile professionals with expertise in data science and artificial intelligence, combined with up-to-date skills in data analysis. This experience could have been acquired working in industry or via a PhD degree that required significant use of data science and AI tools. Prior experience of contributing to research projects through collaboration with academic researchers is desirable.

In this role you will address real-world challenges spanning the spectrum of computational and social science and will typically be simultaneously engaged in several research projects. Thus, successful applicants are expected to multi-task and prioritise their own workload. Given the diverse nature of projects, they are also often required to develop expertise in new areas.

About the team

You will join a rapidly growing team of dedicated, friendly and enthusiastic software engineering and data science professionals with a diverse set of interests and backgrounds. We value collaboration, respect and an openness to innovative practises and ways of working. We adopt a flexible, hybrid working style utilising a team space on Streatham Campus with some home working.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – and how we are for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a .

We are proud signatories of the and welcome applications from service people.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

41 days leave per year options for flexible working numerous discounts at leading retailers onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme sector leading policies around (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful

Further information

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Maths for AI Jobs: The Only Topics You Actually Need (& How to Learn Them)

If you are a software engineer, data scientist or analyst looking to move into AI or you are a UK undergraduate or postgraduate in computer science, maths, engineering or a related subject applying for AI roles, the maths can feel like the biggest barrier. Job descriptions say “strong maths” or “solid fundamentals” but rarely spell out what that means day to day. The good news is you do not need a full maths degree worth of theory to start applying. For most UK roles like Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Scientist, Applied Scientist, NLP Engineer or Computer Vision Engineer, the maths you actually use again & again is concentrated in a handful of topics: Linear algebra essentials Probability & statistics for uncertainty & evaluation Calculus essentials for gradients & backprop Optimisation basics for training & tuning A small amount of discrete maths for practical reasoning This guide turns vague requirements into a clear checklist, a 6-week learning plan & portfolio projects that prove you can translate maths into working code.

Neurodiversity in AI Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

The AI industry moves quickly, breaks rules & rewards people who see the world differently. That makes it a natural home for many neurodivergent people – including those with ADHD, autism & dyslexia. If you’re neurodivergent & considering a career in artificial intelligence, you might have been told your brain is “too much”, “too scattered” or “too different” for a technical field. In reality, many of the strengths that come with ADHD, autism & dyslexia map beautifully onto AI work – from spotting patterns in data to creative problem-solving & deep focus. This guide is written for AI job seekers in the UK. We’ll explore: What neurodiversity means in an AI context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths match specific AI roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence during applications & interviews By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of where you might thrive in AI – & how to set yourself up for success.

AI Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we head into 2026, the AI hiring market in the UK is going through one of its biggest shake-ups yet. Economic conditions are still tight, some employers are cutting headcount, & AI itself is automating whole chunks of work. At the same time, demand for strong AI talent is still rising, salaries for in-demand skills remain high, & new roles are emerging around AI safety, governance & automation. Whether you are an AI job seeker planning your next move or a recruiter trying to build teams in a volatile market, understanding the key AI hiring trends for 2026 will help you stay ahead. This guide breaks down the most important trends to watch, what they mean in practice, & how to adapt – with practical actions for both candidates & hiring teams.