Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Fixed Term: 3 years

The MRC Biostatistics Unit is one of Europe's leading biostatistics research institutions. Our focus is to deliver new analytical and computational strategies based on sound statistical principles for the challenging tasks facing biomedicine and public health.

This role is an exciting opportunity to join the newly established Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) for Clinical Trial Innovation. The MRC Centre is a collaboration across six UK universities, including UCL (lead institution) and MRC-BSU, University of Cambridge. The postholder will be based at the MRC-BSU in Prof Sofia Villar's team and will work closely with Prof Sofia Villar and Dr Mia Tackney.

The postholder will be a key member of the team tackling the Centre's priority challenge on "Unleashing the full potential of digital and biomarker outcomes." This will involve development of methods to support trial design, such as sample size calculations and estimand strategies, to enable broader use of digital outcome measures in clinical trials. Furthermore, this priority area involves methods development for the analysis of high-frequency and often incomplete data arising from digital devices to identify sensitive, clinically relevant, summary measures. The post holder will interact and collaborate with other postdoctoral scientists, research support staff and students in the Group and across the Unit, the other institutions in the CoRE and with external Groups as necessary.

The Unit is situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the world's most vibrant centres of biomedical research, which includes the University of Cambridge's Clinical School, two major hospitals, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the world headquarters of Astra Zeneca.

The Unit is actively seeking to increase diversity among its staff, including promoting an equitable representation of men and women. The Unit therefore especially encourages applications from women, from minority ethnic groups and from those with non-standard career paths. Appointment will be made on merit.

The Biostatistics Unit is committed to supporting hybrid working for all staff, but we do expect that staff will work from the office on a regular basis to help integration and to build our fantastic scientific community. Working entirely from the office is possible.

Applications welcome from those wishing to work part-time.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. 

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 11th January 2026

Please quote reference SL48315 on your application and in any correspondence.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information