Senior Research Scientist | Python, Statistics & AI

Senior Research Scientist | Python, Statistics & AI

Location: London (Hybrid, 2 days per week onsite)
Salary: £80,000-£90,000 + benefits
Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time
Sector: Healthcare Analytics/Behavioural Science/AI

Turn complex human behaviour into scientific insight that could transform healthcare.

What if your research could help healthcare organisations understand not just what people do, but why they do it, and use that knowledge to improve outcomes at scale?

Cedar Technology is partnering with an innovative, research-led healthcare technology organisation to appoint a Senior Research Scientist.

The business combines behavioural science, advanced statistical methods and artificial intelligence to tackle some of the most complex challenges facing healthcare systems.

This is an opportunity to take a leading technical role within a major, multi-year research programme, developing the methodologies, analytical frameworks and data capabilities needed to generate meaningful insights from large-scale population research.

Unlike traditional research positions where the output is predominantly academic, this role combines scientific rigour, hands-on data science and practical technology development.

You'll work alongside research leadership, domain specialists and engineering teams to ensure complex research is both scientifically defensible and accessible to the organisations that need it.

The research challenge

You'll play a central role in the analytical development of a large-scale, longitudinal healthcare research programme.

The work spans research methodology, advanced statistical analysis, data engineering collaboration and the development of innovative tools for exploring research findings.

Key responsibilities include

• Advanced quantitative research: Design and execute rigorous statistical analyses across large, complex datasets, ensuring research findings are robust, reproducible and scientifically defensible.
• Research methodology: Develop and refine analytical approaches, measurement frameworks and statistical methodologies for population-scale research.
• Large-scale data analysis: Analyse survey and behavioural datasets to identify patterns, relationships and insights with practical healthcare implications.
• Python and R development: Build reproducible analytical workflows, statistical models and data processing solutions.
• AI-enabled analytics: Explore how large language models and generative AI can improve research workflows, analytical accessibility and stakeholder interaction with data.
• Data science collaboration: Work closely with engineering and product teams using modern cloud and data technologies, including Databricks and Azure.
• Scientific publication: Contribute to and lead peer-reviewed research papers, methodological publications and validation studies.
• Research accessibility: Help transform complex findings into intuitive, accessible insights through interactive analytical tools and data products.

What we're looking for

We're interested in technically exceptional research scientists who combine deep statistical expertise with strong programming ability and a genuine interest in applying research to real-world problems.

Essential experience

• A PhD or equivalent research experience within a relevant quantitative discipline.
• Approximately 5+ years of hands-on, end-to-end quantitative research experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R for statistical analysis and data science.
• Strong knowledge of statistical methodologies, research design and quantitative evaluation.
• Experience working with large, complex datasets.
• Ability to develop rigorous, reproducible analytical methodologies.
• Understanding of modern data science workflows and experience collaborating with technical teams.
• Experience applying LLMs or generative AI to research, analysis or related workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills.

Particularly interesting experience

• Behavioural science, public health, population health or healthcare research.
• Large-scale survey design, analysis or longitudinal research.
• Composite indices, measurement frameworks or psychometric methodologies.
• Geospatial analysis and population-level modelling.
• Microsoft Azure, Databricks or modern data engineering environments.
• Developing interactive research tools or AI-enabled analytical products.
• Producing peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Working within a fast-moving, entrepreneurial research or technology environment.

We don't expect every candidate to have experience across all these areas.

We're particularly interested in researchers who can explain the methodological decisions behind their work, understand the limitations of their analyses and demonstrate how their research has contributed to meaningful outcomes.

Why consider this opportunity?

1. Research with genuine societal impact

Contribute to a major research initiative focused on understanding human behaviour and improving how healthcare challenges are identified and addressed.

2. Scientific ownership

Help develop the statistical methodologies and analytical foundations behind a significant, long-term research programme.

3. Advanced research meets AI

Work at the intersection of quantitative research, large-scale datasets, modern data engineering and emerging generative AI capabilities.

4. Influence how research is accessed

Collaborate with engineering teams to develop approaches that make complex datasets more accessible through interactive tools and AI-enabled analytical interfaces.

5. Academic rigour with practical application

Develop scientifically robust research while contributing to technology and insights designed for real-world use.

6. A collaborative, entrepreneurial environment

Work alongside researchers, engineers and subject matter experts in an organisation focused on innovation and measurable impact.

Why Cedar Technology?

At Cedar Technology, we specialise in recruiting across Applied AI, Data Science, Machine Learning, Research Engineering and Advanced Analytics.

We understand that exceptional research scientists need more than strong academic credentials or experience with statistical programming languages.

The difference often lies in their ability to select appropriate methodologies, evaluate assumptions, develop reproducible analytical approaches and communicate findings that withstand scientific scrutiny.

Our specialist assessment approach considers:

• Scientific rigour: How effectively do you design research and validate conclusions?
• Technical depth: Can you demonstrate advanced statistical and programming capability?
• Research ownership: Which methodologies, analyses and findings have you personally developed?
• Practical application: How has your research influenced decisions, products or real-world outcomes?
• Engineering collaboration: Can you work effectively with data engineers, software engineers and AI specialists?
• Communication: Can you explain technically complex findings with clarity and precision?

We focus on demonstrable expertise and research impact, rather than relying solely on qualifications, publications or technology keywords.

Our objective is to connect technically outstanding researchers with organisations where their expertise can make a genuine difference.

Interested?

If you're an experienced quantitative researcher with strong Python or R skills, deep statistical expertise and an interest in applying AI and advanced analytics to healthcare challenges, we'd welcome a confidential discussion.

You may come from academia, healthcare research, technology, public health or another research-intensive environment.

What matters is your ability to combine scientific excellence with practical analytical delivery.

Apply today or contact Cedar Technology, the specialist technology practice of Cedar Recruitment Limited, for a confidential discussion.

Cedar Recruitment Limited is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this permanent appointment.