Senior Research Data Engineer

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking data professional with strong technical capability and a passion for enabling impactful healthcare research and innovation.

Working closely with teams across Business Intelligence, Data Architecture, Data Science, Research & Development, and the Epic Electronic Patient Record (EPR) programme, the postholder will play a key role in designing and delivering scalable data pipelines that transform operational healthcare data into secure, research-ready datasets.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at a pivotal stage in the development of our research data and digital innovation capability.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Research Data Engineer to join the Trusts Data Architecture team on a fixed-term basis, supporting delivery of the South West Secure Data Environment (SWSDE) programme and the wider development of research-ready healthcare data platforms.

The successful candidate will lead the development of robust ETL processes to map Epic EPR data into OMOP-aligned data models, enabling secure and governed access for research and innovation activity across the South West region. This work will create reusable and standardised approaches which can scale across the Devon Epic EPR footprint and support future adoption nationally, as Epic capability expands.

The role also acts as an important technical bridge between operational data systems and research delivery. Working closely with the SWSDE, the postholder will support early-stage data quality assessments, feasibility scoping, and research onboarding activity, helping researchers better understand data structure, quality, and limitations while improving delivery timescales.

In addition, there is a significant opportunity to contribute to AI and advanced analytics innovation within the Trust. The postholder will work collaboratively with Data Science and AI teams to support proof-of-concept development and help demonstrate the SWSDEs capability to support secure, AI-enabled research and advanced analytical workflows.

Working in partnership with the University of Exeter and regional NHS organisations, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to nationally significant work in health data interoperability, research infrastructure, and data-driven healthcare innovation.

Key responsibilities include:

Designing, developing, and maintaining scalable research data pipelines and ETL processes
Mapping and transforming Epic EPR data into OMOP-aligned research datasets
Supporting delivery of secure, research-ready datasets through the SWSDE
Developing reusable and standardised data engineering approaches across the regional Epic footprint
Supporting data validation, quality assurance, reconciliation, and metadata documentation activities
Acting as a technical interface between operational systems, research teams, and the SWSDE
Supporting feasibility assessments and early-stage data reviews for research projects
Collaborating with clinical, operational, technical, and academic stakeholders across the NHS and university sector
Supporting AI, advanced analytics, and proof-of-concept innovation projects
Contributing to best practice in healthcare interoperability, research data engineering, and secure analytics environments
Ensuring all activity aligns with NHS information governance, security, and data protection standards

About you

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking data professional with strong technical capability and a passion for enabling impactful healthcare research and innovation.

You will have:

Significant experience working in data engineering, healthcare analytics, or research data environments
Strong experience designing and developing ETL or data integration pipelines
Advanced SQL and relational database skills
Experience working with healthcare datasets and NHS information governance requirements
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail
The ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams

Desirable experience includes:

Experience working with Epic EPR data or associated reporting and analytics platforms
Knowledge or practical experience of the OMOP Common Data Model
Experience supporting secure data environments or research platforms
Exposure to cloud-based analytics technologies and modern data architectures
Experience supporting AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics initiatives within healthcare

This role would suit an individual who is motivated by solving complex data challenges and who wants to contribute to innovative, research-driven improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Epic EPR training as part of the role. An honorary contract arrangement with the University of Exeter may also form part of this post to support collaborative research delivery.

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hrs per week

Interview Date: Week Commencing 14th December 2026

For further information please contact: Andy Wilkins, Data Architecture Manager - andrewwilkins@nhs.net

This is a fixed term contract until 30/4/2028. For current NHS employees this post could be a secondment opportunity.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7JQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/

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