UCI Policy Data Scientist (Fixed Term)

Join UCI at a pivotal time to impact the future of university commercialisation data & evidence for policy. The Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI) is a leading UK centre of excellence dedicated to improving the data, evidence and insights available to governments, funding agencies and universities to help them drive a step‑change in university contributions to innovation through commercialisation and knowledge exchange.

Funded by Research England (UKRI) since 2020, UCI has developed novel data, metrics and evidence on commercialisation and knowledge exchange, informing government policy and university practice.

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative Data Scientist to lead strategically important, data‑driven projects throughout 2026, supporting our long‑standing partnership with Research England.

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• Expand the new university Spinout Register by integrating new data sources such as patents, people, funding, deal terms and investment.
  
• Build a comprehensive database of patents linked to UK universities.
  
• Develop tools to systematically extract, interrogate and analyse text‑based information from websites, documents, grants, etc., on the approaches universities use to support commercialisation and wider forms of knowledge exchange.
  

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• Strong interest in research commercialisation, knowledge/technology transfer or innovation processes and experience with research and innovation‑related data (grants, patents, publications).
  
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g. R, Python).
  
• Expertise in data extraction, integration, analysis and visualisation tools, pipeline development (APIs), and version control (e.g. Git).
  
• Advanced skills in AI/ML and other analytical techniques to extract relevant insights from data.
  
• Strong problem‑solving skills, analytical mindset and a solutions‑focused approach.
  
• Excellent project scoping, planning and delivery abilities, translating user needs into tangible, milestone‑driven implementation plans.
  
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills to work collaboratively in teams and convey complex methodologies to non‑technical audiences.
  
• Ability to work independently and in teams within an environment with limited existing processes, developing novel methods, workflows and protocols from scratch to ensure reproducibility and scalability.
  

This is a 12‑month fixed‑term position ending 31 December 2026. The preferred start date is January 2026, with interviews scheduled during the week commencing 15 December 2025. Applications are welcome from internal candidates via secondment.

To apply, click the “Apply” button below to register an account with our recruitment system. If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact the HR Office at the Department of Engineering: (01223 332615). Informal enquiries may be directed to Tomas Ulrichsen, Director of UCI, at .

Please quote reference NM47879 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.