Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Use machine learning to tackle mental health issues in rural communities.
- Company: Join the University of Lincoln's innovative mental health research team.
- Benefits: Permanent position with competitive salary and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while advancing your research career.
- Qualifications: PhD or near completion in data science, strong programming skills, and machine learning expertise.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on impactful research and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 54300 ÂŁ per year.
Are you passionate about using data science and machine learning to address mental health inequalities in rural and coastal communities? The University of Lincoln is seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) with strong machine learning and data science expertise to join the Lincolnshire Unit for Mental Health Research (LUMHR) – a major NIHR‑funded initiative focused on improving mental health and wellbeing in rural, coastal, and underserved communities across Lincolnshire. This post is permanent and full‑time (1.0 FTE) and offers the opportunity to develop an independent, methods‑led research career at the intersection of advanced analytics and applied mental health research, within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.
About The Role
The PDRA will be an independent researcher working with a significant degree of autonomy within LUMHR’s Connect theme, hosted in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences. The role focuses on developing and applying machine learning, statistical, spatial and temporal modelling approaches to understand mental health need, crisis trajectories, service entry patterns, and system performance across rural, coastal, and small urban‑deprived settings. You will design, implement and validate analytical models using large‑scale, linked health and socio‑environmental datasets, working closely with academic colleagues, NHS and Integrated Care System analytics teams, local authorities, and community partners. The role also involves contributing to data pipelines, visualisation tools, and reproducible analytical workflows, and producing high‑quality research outputs suitable for both methods‑led and applied journals. You will collaborate across LUMHR themes (particularly with colleagues working on crisis care and prevention), support interdisciplinary research activity, and contribute to grant development aligned with your research interests. Teaching support may be required, up to a maximum of six hours per week.
About You
You will have a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant discipline (e.g., data science, computer science, engineering, statistics, or a related field) or equivalent research experience. You will have demonstrable expertise in machine learning and/or advanced analytical methods, experience working with complex or large‑scale datasets, and strong programming skills (e.g., Python or R). You will be able to communicate complex analytical findings to non‑technical audiences and will have a strong commitment to ethical, responsible, and impactful research. Experience applying analytical methods in applied, interdisciplinary, or health‑related contexts is particularly welcome.
About Us
LUMHR is Lincolnshire’s first integrated, multidisciplinary unit dedicated to applied mental health research in rural, coastal, and small urban‑deprived settings. Funded through the NIHR Mental Health Research Group programme, LUMHR brings together academic, clinical, community and lived‑experience partners to address persistent mental health inequalities. The University of Lincoln is proud to be a recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education (2023) and is based in the heart of one of the UK’s great historic cities.
Informal enquiries
For informal enquiries or further information, please contact: Dr John Atanbori (jatanbori@lincoln.ac.uk)
Closing Date: 02 Apr 2026
Department: Research
Salary: ÂŁ38,784 per annum
Please note, this post is permanent and full‑time at 1 FTE.
Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Machine Learning Methods for Mental Health (CHS294) in Lincoln employer: University of Lincoln
Contact Detail:
University of Lincoln Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Machine Learning Methods for Mental Health (CHS294) in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to mental health and machine learning. Attend conferences or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself – you never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your machine learning projects, especially those related to mental health. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. You’ll need to explain complex concepts in simple terms, especially when discussing your work with non-technical audiences. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals like you. Keep an eye on our job listings and make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to the specific role and highlighting your relevant experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Machine Learning Methods for Mental Health (CHS294) in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Make sure to express your enthusiasm for using data science and machine learning to tackle mental health issues. We want to see how your interests align with our mission at LUMHR, so let your passion shine through!
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in machine learning and data science. We’re looking for specific examples of your work with large datasets and analytical methods, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to connect your background to the job description and mention any interdisciplinary research you've been involved in.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and stands out to us!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Lincoln
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your machine learning and data science knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used, especially in the context of mental health research. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in the field, particularly those affecting rural and coastal communities.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about addressing mental health inequalities, so let your passion shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to improving mental health outcomes. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Prepare for Collaboration
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Think of examples where you've successfully worked with interdisciplinary teams, and how you communicated complex findings to non-technical audiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with thoughtful questions about the role and the team. Inquire about ongoing projects, the types of datasets you'll be working with, and how success is measured within the LUMHR. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.