University of Liverpool - Research Data Steward (0.5FTE, Grade 7 £39,355 pa pro rata)

Job Title:

Research Data Steward (0.5FTE, Grade 7 £39,355 pa pro rata)

Category:

Technical roles

Closing Date:

01/04/2025

For more information please consult the University of Liverpool listing here. 

The Role (Job ref: 091633)

Role overview and University context: 

We are seeking talented professionals with skills in research data management to support two newly launched Cystic Fibrosis Innovation Hubs: Pulse-CF (University of Manchester) and TrailFinder (University of Liverpool), working under the Computational Biology Facility’s leadership.  

The post is initially funded for 4 years on a part-time basis and part of the Research Technical Professional Career Pathway at Liverpool, which provides opportunities for career progression.

Training for this role can be provided, and therefore we also welcome applications from less experienced candidates and those returning to work after a career break.

Computational Biology Facility (CBF)

The CBF is a shared research facility within Liverpool Shared Research Facilities (LIV-SRF).  LIV-SRF helps to ensure that staff have access to the world-class equipment and expertise to pursue outstanding science. The CBF aims to develop and support data-driven biological and clinical research by nurturing a team of specialists that work on forming new collaborations and delivering on an array of scientific challenges. We work as scientific partners and as service providers offering tailor-made solutions across a wide range of bioinformatics, statistics, and functional interpretation of data. We have an expanding team of computational biologists and software engineers that work multi-functionally across a wide variety of projects and disciplines, providing a supportive environment for our team to share knowledge and thrive. The CBF supplies a wide range of standard and bespoke services and strategic partnerships to Life Science researchers and clinicians. A snapshot of the CBF portfolio can be consulted https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/computationalbiologyfacility/FINAL,CBF2024.pdf and the wider website www.liverpool.ac.uk/cbf.

Our activity can be summarised in the following areas:

• Study Design and power analysis. A consultation service to design studies that involve the development and integration of large datasets with an estimate of the statistical power.
• Identification and analysis of suitable public domain omics datasets. Identification and interrogation of functional genomics datasets in public domain databases or generated by collaborators.
• Data Processing. Cleaning, normalisation, and integration of datasets from multiple sources, including omics.
• Data Analysis. Interpretation of multivariate data by technology independent analysis pipelines and identification of differences in large experimental datasets, integrating when appropriate multiple complexity layers.
• Advanced statistical modelling using a variety of methods including machine learning approaches.
• Dataset Integration. Integration of datasets from different sources and analysis in data-driven modelling and network approaches
• Visualisations. Production of high-quality figures to illustrate complex analyses.
• Custom bioinformatics pipelines, databases, and software development: Development of bespoke analysis pipelines from a combination of different software components.
• Training in Computational and Systems Biology. Hands on training for investigators in a wide range of computational biology techniques, programming, and statistics. Provision of relevant courses to the wider academic and external community.
• Publication, grant and project support. The CBF collaborates with numerous researchers in a variety of projects and outputs.

PULSE-CF

The PULSE-CF Innovation Hub is a multi-centre initiative led by University of Manchester and funded by a new award from CF Trust and LifeArc. The Hub is focussed on understanding the causes of exacerbations of CF and identifying ways to prevent these. Pulmonary exacerbations are a prominent feature of CF, though causes and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. This significantly restricts our ability to predict and prevent one of the most significant and burdensome aspects of CF. We propose that different types of exacerbation (i.e. endotypes) are determined by trigger and/or individual host factors such as airway microbiome composition and immune status. PULSE-CF is a multi-centre, multi-disciplinary collaborative Innovation Hub to deliver new mechanistic understanding of exacerbations and treatment response. This will allow us to establish an evidence-based clinical trial platform to test exacerbation prevention therapies, directly reducing harm from both exacerbations and antibiotics used as treatment.

The CF-TRACKER study will study causes of exacerbations through a UK-wide remote surveillance study, focussing on triggers, including viral infection and airway microbiome/proteome composition, and patient-specific susceptibility factors. A sub-cohort will undertake more intensive sampling to identify underlying mechanisms, including immune response and exposure to environmental pollutants. This two-tiered approach will allow delivery at breadth and depth.

The UNIFIED-CF (jointly run with TRAILFINDER) study will investigate recovery from exacerbation in those receiving IV antibiotics within hospital, to link causes of exacerbations with clinical outcomes and response to therapy. By comprehensively analysing microbial and immune phenotypes in participants, we aim to identify factors associated with clinical and biomarker response to IV antibiotics and potentially inform further clinical trials.

More information can be found https://www.pulse-cf.com/

TRAILFINDER

The CF-Trailfinder Innovation Hub is a multi-centre initiative led by University of Liverpool alongside nine other Institutions and funded by CF Trust and LifeArc and forms part of a larger Network funded through CF Trust and LifeArc and includes Pulse-CF (led by University of Manchester), CF-Precision (led by Imperial College, London) and University of Cambridge.

The Hub will serve people with cystic fibrosis at all life stages by developing new approaches to treating lung infections, managing exacerbations, and maintaining healthy lungs.

The Hub consists of academics and clinicians underpinning two work streams, focussing on 1) Advancing phage therapy for antibiotic-resistant lung infections and 2) Optimising treatment for acute pulmonary exacerbations.

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

The FHLS is one of three Faculties that make up the University of Liverpool. The Faculty is one of UK’s leading centres for health and life science research and education and is the only Russell Group University to offer scientific and clinical education that spans the full range of biosciences, clinical, medicine, health sciences, dentistry and veterinary sciences. Consequently, we are one of the largest and most innovative educators in our field and provide a unique range of courses across the full spectrum of health and life sciences within a single faculty. The University of Liverpool has been at the forefront of health and life sciences research for over 130 years, and the Faculty continues to deliver its civic responsibility by training healthcare professionals and undertaking research to address both local health inequalities and global health outcomes.

The FHLS has over 2,000 staff, 6,000 undergraduates and 1,000 postgraduate students who, together with many alumni and partners, are helping to deliver research which addresses the most important challenges impacting society today through a 'One Health' approach to our research, recognising the connection between human, animal and environmental health.

Post Overview

Successful applicants will be talented, versatile research data specialists working to a professional standard with up-to-date skills. You should have demonstrable experience in managing and curating complex, large and/or rapidly changing datasets, supplemented by an understanding of open research and the principles of FAIR data and how that is applied within an academic research setting. This experience could have been acquired working in academia, industry or via a PhD degree that required significant application of research data management and/or data engineering techniques. Given the research focus for this post, prior experience of contributing to academic research projects involving omics datasets is also desirable as well as an interest in cystic fibrosis research.

The post is currently advertised at 0.5FTE but if the post-holder desires it, the environment can provide opportunities to complement activity in a variety of avenues. For example, there may be options for the successful candidate to undertake further projects on a casual or fixed term basis, support teaching within the CBF or to pursue a funded PhD part-time, depending on skills and career development goals.

You will sit formally on the CBF team under supervision by CBF co-director Dr Eva Caamano Gutierrez and will be closely aligned and guided scientifically with CF Hub directors Professor Alexander Horsley and Professor Jo Fothergill. The CBF operates in a research environment that encourages working independently and supports knowledge expansion and scientific curiosity. You will be part of a supportive team of data scientists and software developers that allow for teamwork and information sharing opportunities. The team is fully committed to the Researcher Development Concordat and provides ample opportunity for development.

You may also be involved in training groups and individuals in processes you have developed and have experience in.

This post is hybrid but remote work could be facilitated, meanwhile the person is committed to join in-person on campus or, with visits to meet with the coordinating team based at the University Manchester or other collaborators on the project needs and engaging with the wider national community as needed.

The post is funded for up to 4 years in the first instance and is available from March 2025. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Eva Caamano Gutierrez (caamano@liverpool.ac.uk).

Key responsibilities and duties: 

• Conduct regular audits of datasets to ensure adherence to defined data standards and protocols. Verify and validate data collected from clinical and laboratory inputs in REDCap and adjacent databases to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Including developing and maintaining metadata documentation to enhance discoverability and accessibility. 
• Develop guidelines and documentation for proper data handling and governance, supporting the creation of training on data management best practices as appropriate. Continuing evaluating these to update them as required to improve efficiency and compliance. Providing outreach and training to other team members as required.
• Create and maintain process for error detection and resolution, monitoring data pipelines to identify and resolve issues related to data quality promptly.
• Integration and FAIR implementation – support the design and implementation of workflows for data integration across clinical, laboratory and omics platforms in collaboration with computational biology PDRA.
• Data harmonization – support project post-doctoral researcher on the integration and harmonisation of clinical and laboratory data with omics datasets, including working with APIs, ETL processes and other tools to facilitate seamless data exchange.
• Collaborate with clinicians, researchers, bioinformaticians and IT to understand and meet data requirements.
• Advocate for and implement FAIR principles in all data management activities. This may include liaising with national repositories such as HDRUK and aligning internal practices with broader ecosystem goals.
• Ensure compliance with relevant data governance frameworks (GDPR) and institutional policies.
• Stay updated on emerging tools, standards and technologies for data management and integration, proactively identifying opportunities for automation or innovation in data handling.
• Apply standardised coding systems, ontologies, and metadata to ensure interoperability.
• Actively participate in meetings as required.
• To communicate effectively between a wide range of stakeholders (clinicians, experimentalists, data scientists, etc.)
• To undertake administrative duties as required.
• Occasional travel to meet other stakeholders as required.

   All staff within HLS are encouraged to contribute to wider collegiality initiatives.  For example:

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Efforts to promote a more inclusive and equitable environment.
• Sustainability: Initiatives supporting environmental sustainability and responsible practices.
• Public Engagement, PPI, Widening Participation, or Outreach: Activities aimed at engaging with the public, patients, diverse communities, and underrepresented groups.
• Volunteer Work as a University Ambassador: Representation and advocacy for the institution in various capacities.
• Collegiality and Support: Support provided to colleagues and/or students, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

Additional requirements: 

In addition to the above, all University of Liverpool staff are required to: 

• Adhere to all University policies and procedures, completing all obligatory training and induction modules, including Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety. 
• Respect confidentiality: all confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to unauthorised persons. 
• Participate in the University’s Professional Development Review scheme and take a proactive approach to own professional development. 
• Demonstrate customer service excellence in dealing with all stakeholders. 
• Embody and uphold the University’s Vision and Values. 

About you

Experience

Essential

1. Demonstrable experience in data stewardship, clinical data management or related roles, preferably in a healthcare, research, or academic environment.
2. Experience with the management of large datasets.
3. Experience handling data in databases (e.g. REDCap).
4. Experience working as part of a team.

Desirable

1. Experience managing complex projects.
2. Familiarity with Open Data/Open research.
3. Experience training others.

Education, qualifications and training

Essential

1. Be degree educated or equivalent, preferably in computer science, information management, data science or similar but specific discipline not essential.
2. Knowledge of data governance frameworks including GDPR.

Desirable

1. Knowledge of RDM policy within the scientific community or within HE desirable.
2. Knowledge of project management.
3. Training in Good Clinical Practice.
4. NHS Digital Data Security Awareness certificate.

Skills, general and specialist Knowledge

Essential

1. Proficiency in managing and validating data, preferably with examples clinical and laboratory data.
2. Excellent written and spoken English.
3. Understanding of FAIR principles for scientific data management.
4. Good knowledge and professional experience of a programming language such as Python, SQL or similar.
5. Familiarity with data transformation, harmonization, and cleaning techniques.
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, able to communicate concepts at different levels of technical audiences.
7. Excellent time management and organisational skills.
8. Willingness to contribute to the work of others by offering practical and intellectual help.

Desirable

1. Interest in cystic fibrosis research.
2. Knowledge of clinical databases (e.g. REDCap) and bioinformatics databases such as GEO, PRIDE, etc.
3. Familiarity with APIs and tools for data exchange between systems.
4. Experience of taking a significant role in relevant professional networks.
5. Demonstrable professional knowledge and familiarity with the concepts of Research Data Management and Open Data.
6. Knowledge of the wider HE research policy environment.

Personal attributes

Essential

1. Ability to communicate well, conveying ideas and concepts clearly and effectively with stakeholders of different backgrounds (wet scientists, clinicians, etc.).
2. Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure data quality and integrity.
3. Highly motivated with ability to work Independently but also as part of a team, contributing to the development and growth of areas.
4. Consistent ability to produce high quality/quantity of work.
5. Dependable, reliable, and self-motivated with a professional approach to work.
6. Highly organised.

Desirable

1. Enthusiasm for research.
2. Enthusiasm for computational biology applications and developments.

About us

Established in 1881, we are an internationally renowned Russell Group university recognised for our high-quality teaching and research. We are consistently ranked as one of the best universities both nationally and globally, and the majority of our research is rated world leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us.

Why Work Here  

We recognise, appreciate and celebrate the incredible work our staff do every day. As well as generous terms and conditions, we offer a range of enviable benefits and provide support for colleague’s wellbeing and development. Discover more about working here.

Moving from abroad  

As a global institute, we welcome applicants from all nationalities, moving from a different country can be challenging and we would like to help as much as we can, we have put together some information on eligibility to work documentation, accommodation, schools, healthcare, life in Liverpool and the UK as well as other practical information.  Discover more about moving from abroad.

Our Staff  

Whether it be their friendly colleagues, supportive managers or our outstanding facilities, our staff can explain better than anyone what it is like to work for us and why they enjoy their role. See what our colleagues have to say.

How to Apply 

Application process  

Our e-recruitment system enables you to register for an online account, where you can view, copy and edit your applications. Set up your account on our Vacancies Portal.

Once you submit your application you will receive an automatic email acknowledgment. You can view your application at any time by clicking into the application history section of your account.  

The recruiting department will endeavour to respond to each application. However, if you have not heard within six weeks of the closing date, please take it that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

The recruitment process will have two further steps with selected candidates invited to complete a short task and bests submissions invited for interview.

Job description  

After the closing date this job description will be removed from our website. Should you wish to refer to this information at a later date please ensure you save a copy of this document. 

Right to work 

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  If you do not have the right to work in the UK already, any offer of employment we make to you will be conditional upon you gaining it.  The UKVI have an interactive tool allowing you to immediately see if vacancies are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. You will need to know the SOC code for the role, view our most used SOC codes, if none of these apply to this role, there are more codes on the eligibility checker. The skilled worker eligibility checker can be found on GOV.UK.    

Disabilities and alternative formats  

If you have any other requirements which will help you access the application or interview process or employment opportunities at the University, or if you require copies documentation in alternative formats, please email: jobs@liverpool.ac.uk or telephone 0151 794 6771.