At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Solace-AI team to lead quantitative analyses and improve evidence synthesis methods.
- Company: King's College London, a top-ranked university known for innovation in health and AI.
- Benefits: Full-time role with professional development opportunities and a fixed-term contract until 2028.
- Other info: Collaborate with world-leading experts across Africa, Europe, and North America.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate-related health emergencies using cutting-edge AI technology.
- Qualifications: Master's degree in a quantitative field and strong programming skills in Python or R.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
We are seeking a talented, numerate researcher at post-Master's level, with strong quantitative and programming skills (Python and/or R), to join the Solace-AI team as a Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis. The successful candidate will provide data science expertise to the project, leading quantitative analyses and evaluations, and helping to drive improvements in evidence synthesis methods used in the evidence synthesis engine: the modular, AI-driven evidence synthesis pipeline underlying Solace-AI.
Solace-AI is a Wellcome Trust-funded initiative developing cutting-edge AI technology to transform how we synthesise and deliver research evidence during climate-related health emergencies. By automating the creation of rapid, scientifically-rigorous evidence syntheses, this groundbreaking project aims to provide decision-makers with timely, locally relevant research—particularly focusing on historically underserved communities affected by extreme weather events.
You will work closely with world-leading experts in AI, public health, and climate science across Africa, Europe, and North America, understanding, using, and adapting code (Python and R) to help build and refine the evidence synthesis engine, while leading quantitative analyses and evaluations of its performance. This is not a lead-developer role: software architecture and development is led separately by the project's software engineering team. You will be supported to develop your research profile and track record, including working towards a PhD fellowship application during the post. This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/5/2028.
Research staff at King's are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Master's degree (already awarded) in Data Science, Epidemiology, Statistics, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or another relevant quantitative discipline
- Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative or statistical analysis of health-related data, including data management, cleaning, and analysis
- Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, including the ability to read, understand, and adapt code written by others, gained through research, academic, or applied settings
- Experience applying machine learning, natural language processing, or other computational methods to health, biomedical, or research problems
- Clear scientific writing and communication skills, e.g. through research reports, dissertations, publications, or presentations, and a track record of working effectively to deadlines
- Desirable criteria
- Experience or interest in evidence synthesis methods (e.g. systematic reviews, evidence mapping, meta-analysis) or related research methodology
- Experience of collaborative software development practices (e.g. version control, testing, code review) and/or contributing to shared codebases
- Knowledge of, or interest in, climate change and health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
At King's, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university. The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis in London employer: King's College London
At King’s College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. Located in the heart of London, our institution offers unique advantages such as access to world-class resources and a vibrant community dedicated to advancing research and education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis in London
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like King's College London!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis at King's College London.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like King's College London.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis at King's College London, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant in Applied AI for Evidence Synthesis in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at King's College London, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at King's College London. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at King's College London!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.