Research Fellow - Department of Metabolism and Systems Science - 105643 - Grade 7

Position Details

Department of Metabolism and Systems Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £38,249

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2027

Closing date: 7th May 2025

Background

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed data scientist who wants to work in the thriving interdisciplinary environment of the Centre for Human Reproductive Science (ChRS) at the University of Birmingham.

You will be part of an exciting international project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, between ChRS and international partners at the Universities of Münster (project lead) and Dundee. This project is seeking to define precise thresholds in in-vitro sperm function assays to better diagnose male fertility and contribute to non-hormonal contraceptive research. 

Your role will be to use mathematical modelling and data science to develop methods for understanding sperm flagellar analysis data from the FAST (www.flagellarcapture.com) software package (designed by Dr Gallagher). The key aim is to be able to quantify subtypes of sperm swimming and how they contribute to fertilising success. While there are no requirements for specific tools or approaches you may have, we are keen to hire somebody with experience of working with health data or other data modelling approaches to extract understanding.

You will join a team that comprises Andrologists, Healthcare Scientists, Research Nurses and Mathematicians, working together to develop tools and carry out experiments to quantify male fertility. The team is led by Dr Meurig Gallagher, an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in applied mathematics and computation. It is strongly recommended that you contact Meurig before applying, to discuss the nature of the role and understand what it means to work in a truly interdisciplinary environment.

As a research group ChRS works closely with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS FT and therefore we expect to work to develop and embed our joint values and we will continue to ensure that they underpin the way we care for our patients and each other. Our goal is to foster an inclusive research environment where people and innovation thrive, creating a global impact.

Application: Please attach (in one pdf file) to your application the following:

• Cover letter (1 page max outlining your motivations and suitability for the post).
• CV, which should include a full publication list.
• A summary (2 pages max) of your research track record and experience.

Presentation: Shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver a 10-minute presentation split into 2 parts, a 7-minute overview of a piece of research they have done, and a 3-minute presentation on how they could envisage drawing insight from data that captures details of sperm swimming.

Role Summary

To work closely with Dr Gallagher and across the rest of the team to analyse and model sperm flagella data.

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Acquire, analyse and interpret research data acquired using a variety of research methods and apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings through, for example, talks, publications, seminars, posters
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Participate in public and patient engagement events to shape research, develop understanding and share outputs
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Data Science / Mathematics / or another relevant computational subject
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and to a range of audiences
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Dr Meurig Gallagher, email: m.t.gallagher@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.