Data-driven science and the exploitation of big data is seen as key to the future prosperity of the UK (e.g. Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Royal Society speech, 9 Nov 2012). Data Analytics features prominently in the new University Strategic Plan, and is a key priority in the School’s teaching and research strategies. Collectively, we have had considerable recent success, attracting infrastructure funding for the £7m Medical Research Council (MRC) Bioinformatics Centre (Medicine & Health, Biological Sciences, Computing) and the £5m Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Consumer Data Centre (Geography, Business School, Institute for Transport Studies, Earth & Environment).
While the “big” in big data varies between applications, a common theme is data whose scale and complexity challenges our ability to process and interpret it using existing tools, methods, and/or algorithms. You will develop innovative methods and software tools that enable domain specialists to translate data into new and valuable insight. You will conduct research based on any one of the following:
(a) data mining,
(b) data modelling,
(c) data visualization, and/or
(d) high-performance computing (HPC).
Each of these computing sub-disciplines requires distinctive expertise, and you will be expected to:
• Conduct and publish high-quality research in both the fundamentals (new methods) and applications (new tools & evaluations) of your field, delivering outputs that make you returnable in the next REF.
• Establish and maintain technology platforms that allow the methods and tools to be exploited by domain specialists. You will be expected to develop new collaborations with end-users through the MRC/ESRC centres, the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics and/or other Schools and external partners.
• Submit high-quality funding proposals for fundamental (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC; Horizon 2020) and applied research (National Institute for Health Research, NIHR; MRC; ESRC; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, BBSRC; Wellcome Trust) with those collaborators, to achieve the School income norm by the end of the third year, and to exceed it by the end of the fifth.
• Contribute to the School’s taught programmes, including teaching on topics aligned with big data, and delivering courses to both specialists (computer scientists) and students from a broader background (i.e. students from other disciplines, or undertaking professional development).
University Grade 8 (£38,511 to £45,954)
For informal enquiries about the role please contact Dr David Duke, Head of School of Computing, tel: +44 (0)113 343 6800, email: D.J.Duke@leeds.ac.uk.
Ref: ENGCP1000