At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research on youth mental health and drive real-world change.
- Company: Surgo Health, a Public Benefit Corporation focused on health equity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for travel and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a difference in young people's lives through innovative research and insights.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in applied research with expertise in mental health and data analysis.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 95000 £ per year.
Department
Professional Client Services |
Location
Washington, DC or London, UK
Compensation
Description
Surgo Health is a Public Benefit Corporation building the world’s most comprehensive and insightful AI‑powered data platform that reveals the why behind people’s behaviors.
We uncover the unseen drivers of health – people’s beliefs, barriers, and behaviors – and transform that intelligence into scalable products that enable healthcare organizations to drive impact, reduce costs, and advance inclusion.
From improving clinical trial design to optimizing care delivery and public‑health strategies, our solutions help decision‑makers act on what truly shapes health outcomes.
As a Senior Research Scientist, you will be the scientific engine driving the implementation of Surgo’s flagship UK Youth Wellbeing Project.
You will manage day‑to‑day research delivery, execute analytical workstreams, and translate complex data into actionable insights that shape real‑world decisions across the UK mental health ecosystem.
- Desired attributes
- Love rolling up your sleeves and leading complex analyses to understand the why behind young people’s mental health experiences.
- Bringing a strong grasp of the UK mental‑health and wellbeing data landscape and an appetite to innovate with new methods and data sources.
- Enjoying methodological rigor (across quantitative, qualitative, and AI‑driven approaches) on messy, multidimensional problems.
- Getting energy from producing insights that partners can use immediately to drive change.
- Communicating clearly and confidently with both technical teams and non‑technical partners.
- Wanting to lead delivery within a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment where analytical creativity and rigor matter.
- Lead Scientific Design & Analytical Strategy
- Design and oversee the research strategy and analytical roadmap for the UK Youth Wellbeing Project, including survey research, narrative analysis, quantitative modelling, segmentation, and triangulation across data sources.
- Identify opportunities to advance the science, leveraging natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), causal inference, and AI‑based methods for analysing both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Conduct & Oversee Advanced Analyses
- Conduct rigorous literature reviews and lead the development of behavioural‑science‑informed research instruments, using Surgo’s LLM‑powered tools.
- Lead high‑complexity analyses on mental health, wellbeing, behavioural drivers, and system‑level factors affecting UK young people.
- Build and validate models for analysing structured and unstructured data.
- Apply strong inferential and statistical reasoning to ensure insights are scientifically sound.
- Analyse data generated from conversational AI tools, ensuring rigorous methodological handling, bias assessment, and validity checks.
- Generate High‑Impact Insights & Recommendations
- Translate analytical outputs into crisp, actionable insights that funders, policymakers, and service providers can understand and use.
- Co‑develop strategic recommendations based on evidence, showing not just what the data says, but what should happen next.
- Produce compelling materials (reports, slide decks, briefs) that elevate evidence while remaining accessible.
- Guide Partner Engagement & Adoption
- Collaborate closely with UK‑based partners – including funders, public sector organisations, NHS teams, charities, and community groups – to ensure insights meet real needs.
- Help design co‑creation sessions and workshops with young people and stakeholders to stress‑test insights and shape implementation.
- Support partners in integrating findings into policies, service models, and implementation plans that improve youth wellbeing.
- Advance Surgo’s Scientific & Product Portfolio
- Contribute to Surgo’s growing portfolio in youth mental health, with a strong UK lens.
- Identify scientific and methodological innovations that strengthen Surgo’s products and tools, including novel applications of LLMs, narrative analytics, and AI‑driven measurement.
- Support proposal development and pitches by bringing deep subject‑matter and methodological expertise.
About you
Experience & Expertise
- 4+ years of experience in applied research, public health, mental health, epidemiology, behavioural science, data science, or a related field.
- Advanced degree (Ph D strongly preferred; Master’s considered with significant experience).
- Deep familiarity with the UK youth mental health landscape, including data sources (e. g., NHS Digital, ONS, school and community datasets), key actors, and policy frameworks.
- Demonstrated experience working with complex mental health, wellbeing, or behavioural datasets, including survey data, and qualitative or narrative data.
- Technical & Methodological Skillset
- Highly experienced in R and/or Python, and eager to learn Databricks.
- Strong technical and methodological expertise in research design, measurement, and advanced analytical techniques.
- Detail‑oriented with excellent research validation skills, spotting inconsistencies, errors, and methodological gaps.
- Able to implement and uphold rigorous scientific processes, serving as a methodological steward accountable for strong QA, transparent workflows, and high‑quality outputs.
- Advanced NLP and LLM capabilities, with experience or strong interest in analysing natural language data and conversational AI tool outputs.
- Statistical and methodological expertise in analysing qualitative data and transforming it into quantitative insights, including coding frameworks, embeddings, clustering, model‑based text analysis, and mixed‑methods integration.
- Comfortable managing the full analytical workflow—from instrument design to modelling to interpretation—with a strong commitment to accuracy, transparency, and scientific integrity.
- Location & Travel
- Location: London. Hybrid schedule with 2 days in our London office.
- Travel: Some travel within the UK and occasional international travel may be required.
Benefits
- Collaborative colleagues tackling tough healthcare challenges.
- Opportunities to be entrepreneurial and grow professionally.
- Part of a Public Benefit Corporation with an impact and equity mission.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy
Surgo believes a diverse, inclusive staff makes a stronger team and more impactful organization, and we are committed to building and developing this team and environment.
Qualified people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, ages, sex, genders, sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions, languages, social class, marital status, religions, veteran status, and disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Senior Research Scientist in London employer: Surgo Health
Surgo Health is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while tackling critical issues in youth mental health. With a hybrid working model, a strong focus on professional development, and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact through innovative AI-driven insights. Located in London, Surgo offers unique opportunities to engage with diverse teams and partners, fostering an environment where your contributions can lead to significant societal change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Scientist in London
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Surgo Health, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Surgo Health. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Scientist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Surgo Health. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Surgo Health. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surgo Health
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Surgo Health. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Surgo Health to drive research projects forward.
