Research Associate Data Scientist

Salary - £30,684-£32,563 Hybrid working (50/50) Permanent Wallingford (Oxfordshire) based. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

Join the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). We are seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Research Associate Data Scientist to join the Biodiversity Monitoring and Analysis Group within the Biodiversity and Land Use Science Area, at Wallingford.

The successful candidate will have experience in quantitative and computational methods, and a keen interest in the natural environment and data science. In this role you will be working to collate and analyse data collected by professional and citizen scientists and helping to develop new systems to collect, analyse and curate biodiversity data. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in a range of projects that intersect ecological research and data science developments, including collaborating with researchers across Europe.

You will join a team of scientists that uses national datasets, data science methods, and AI-assisted hardware, to develop approaches to understand and model the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide.

As a Research Associate at UKCEH, you’ll be supported with a three-year training plan at the start of your career. As well as on-the-job training and self-guided learning, you’ll have access to traditional learning, such as online and in-person courses. Training allocations are up to 15% in year one and two, and up to 10% in year three. Training will cover:

• FAIR data management and Open Science.
• Version control, collaborative coding, unit testing, and R-package development.
• The use of high-performance computing (HPC) to support large scale analyses.
• The application of computer vision methods to biodiversity research.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Innovate & code: Build and refine model code, data science tools, software, and hardware solutions for projects.
• Prepare formatted data or figures for reports and publications.
• Undertake directed data collation or analysis, preliminary research and development, or laboratory analysis, to produce various outputs for the wider project team.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Deliver scientific outputs: Drive the development of high-quality project reports, publications, and innovative methods.
• Problem-solve collaboratively: Actively suggest during team meetings.
• Contribute ideas and written content to funding proposals.
• Communicate science: share findings and present at internal & external meetings.
• Lead analysis: Propose and explain analytical strategies in meetings to advance project outcomes.
• Manage deliverables: Oversee project components, demonstrating budget awareness and delivering value to funders.
• Publish & curate: Act as lead author for datasets, model code, software, or digital assets—ensuring quality assurance and repository submission.

As a Research Associate Data Scientist, we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Graduate/Post-graduate (Masters) or equivalent qualification or sufficient relevant experience.
• A degree in the environmental sciences, or other experience that demonstrates an interest in the natural world.
• A basic understanding and experience of R and/or Python.
• Effective communicator to a range of audiences.
• Time management skills and attention to details.
• Work within agreed parameters to meet the responsibilities of your role.
• Able to identify key stakeholders/funders.

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding. We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing-oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure.
• 10% employer pension contribution.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant).
• Peer reward and recognition scheme.
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more.

Apply today! If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role.

At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone—regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process—please don’t hesitate to reach out. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

We welcome applications from international candidates; however, at present, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.