At a Glance
- Tasks: Solve complex healthcare problems using innovative quantitative solutions and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join a specialist team at the forefront of health economics and data science.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, personal development support, and unique employee perks.
- Other info: Enjoy a culture of learning and collaboration with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent in a quantitative field; fluency in R, Python, or MATLAB required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Operational Research Group is a small, specialist team within HEOR sitting at the intersection of mathematical modelling, data science, and health economics. Our work is genuinely unusual: we build novel quantitative solutions to complex problems in healthcare. We are looking for an innovative problem solver - if you enjoy tackling complex problems and creating innovative solutions, then our operational research group (ORG) could be the place for you to develop your career.
We focus on three key areas:
- Deliver innovative, rigorous solutions to client challenges
- Develop new modelling paradigms and challenge the field to think differently
- Drive quality and efficiency across HEOR through new analytical tools, automation, and data-driven decision-making
We work with differential equations, optimisation algorithms, simulation frameworks, and bespoke software, applied to real decisions in drug development, value demonstration, and healthcare delivery. You’ll work across a varied portfolio of projects: some client-facing (building models that underpin major healthcare decisions), some internal (designing tools that improve how HEOR operates), and some genuinely novel (developing new methodological approaches and contributing to published thought leadership).
Day to day, you might be:
- Translating a complex clinical or economic decision problem into a mathematical or computational model
- Building R or Python backends and R Shiny frontends for client-facing decision tools
- Applying optimisation techniques and data visualisation to communicate solutions to non-technical audiences
- Collaborating with economists, epidemiologists, and clinicians to define and solve problems across therapy areas
- Supporting the redesign of how we model diseases using AI
- Developing AI agents
- Contributing to proposals, publications, and conference presentations that push HEOR’s methodological frontier
- Developing training resources and analytical frameworks that raise the technical bar across HEOR
We are looking for someone with a strong quantitative foundation, intellectual curiosity, and the drive to apply rigorous methods to messy real-world problems. You’re comfortable operating in ambiguity, confident stepping outside your comfort zone, and motivated by doing work that genuinely matters. You’ll need:
- A PhD in a quantitative discipline, or equivalent experience - mathematics, physics, engineering, operational research, or a closely related STEM field
- Fluency in at least one of R, Python, or MATLAB, and experience using version control (git)
- Strong interest in agentic models and AI-assisted working
- Experience with numerical modelling, differential equations, or algorithm development
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: the ability to structure an ambiguous problem, select appropriate methods, and deliver a rigorous solution
- Clear written and verbal communication, you can translate complex quantitative work for non-specialist audiences
- The initiative to work independently and the collaborative instinct to work effectively across a wide range of colleagues and clients
Benefits include a competitive compensation and benefits package, a ‘learning’ culture focused on personal development supported by study bursaries, workplace pension scheme, discounts via Sodexho, cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, and additional leave for weddings and moving house.
If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing careers@heor.co.uk.
Operational Researcher in Cardiff employer: HEOR
As an Operational Researcher within our innovative HEOR team, you'll thrive in a dynamic work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. We offer a competitive benefits package, including a strong focus on personal development through a learning culture, study bursaries, and additional leave for significant life events. Join us to tackle complex healthcare challenges while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and fosters professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Researcher in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving R, Python, or any innovative modelling solutions you've developed. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your problem-solving techniques. Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to operational research and demonstrate how you’d approach complex healthcare challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our innovative team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Researcher in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your quantitative skills and experience with R, Python, or MATLAB. We want to see how you can apply these tools to solve real-world problems, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can translate technical jargon into something everyone can understand.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your experiences align with our work in operational research. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at HEOR
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Operational Researcher, you'll be dealing with complex quantitative problems. Brush up on your mathematical modelling and optimisation techniques before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've applied these skills in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Fluency in R, Python, or MATLAB is crucial for this role. Prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities, perhaps by discussing a project where you built a model or tool. If possible, bring along a portfolio or examples of your work to share during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to translate complex concepts for non-technical audiences. Practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. This will show your ability to communicate effectively, which is key when collaborating with economists and clinicians.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
The job requires comfort in navigating uncertainty. Think of instances where you've tackled ambiguous problems and how you approached them. Highlight your problem-solving process and your innovative solutions to demonstrate your fit for the role.
