Data Engineer

Company Description

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We work in collaboration with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public. 

The NIHR funds, enables and conducts world-class health and social care research that enhances people's health and wellbeing and stimulates economic growth. We are also a significant supporter of applied health research in low and middle-income countries.   

Job Description

Reporting to our Data Analytics Manager, this is an excellent opportunity to become part of the Data and Insight Team at LGC as a Data Engineer for up to 12 months. Being the sole Data Engineer in the team, you will utilize your professional experience and skills to evaluate, suggest, and initiate implementation of improvements to our data systems. This will facilitate colleagues in the Data and Insight Team, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Team, and coworkers across the organization to use data to generate insights into the impact of our investment into health and social care research and to enable quicker responses to information requests.

Throughout this fixed term appointment, you will serve as an expert within the organization, helping to delineate the roadmap for effective use of data engineering to enhance our processes. The ideal candidate would possess experience in health and research funding or a strong experience in applying data engineering more broadly and a desire to learn about this industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and suggest improvements for data infrastructure and SQL database structure 
• Inspect and enhance current models (SSIS)
• Explore, design and develop processes and extraction methods (APIs etc.) within Alteryx Server for data acquisition from external data sources 
• Extract, combine, clean and transfer data not currently housed in SQL database and develop Alteryx workflows within Alteryx Server to automate future data preparation and cleaning 
• Design data models and metadata systems to facilitate analysts working more effectively with the data products, we produce
• Create clear instructional documentation to aid the ongoing maintenance of enhancements made to the data infrastructure
• Communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders of varying levels of seniority across the organisation
• Work across the organization to comprehend the necessity for data engineering to support organizational objectives
• Support the advancement of Data Analysts in good Data Engineering practice
• Suggest new analytical tools fitting requirements and/or analytics strategy

Qualifications

• Experience working with Alteryx and Power BI is mandatory 
• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related Analytical discipline
• Showcased experience working in Data Engineering or related roles
• Extensive, provable experience of Structure Query Language (SQL)
• Proven experience working with SSIS packages and Microsoft Visual Studio
• Experience employing Amazon Web Services (AWS) for Data Engineering
• Thorough understanding of data warehousing concepts and ETL processes
• Knowledge of a programming language (e.g. C#, Java, Python)
• Experience with AGILE methodologies
• Proven record of writing effective technical documentation for non-technical audiences
• Excellent organizational skills, inclusive of proficient prioritization and ability to fulfill targets within deadlines
• Highly motivated self-starter – capable of working independently and effectively in team environments, collaborating internally and externally and providing guidance to managers and staff
• Strong attention to detail

Desirable Criteria

• Expertise in deploying or writing customized algorithms to solve business challenges
• Understanding of health or research funding

Additional Information

Why work for us?
Become part of our team and you'll be contributing to an outstanding organization that manages high-quality health and care research benefiting patients and the public. NIHR is one of the UK’s largest supporters of health and care research. 

Salary & Benefits 

• Annual pay from £ 54,500 to £57,500
• Bonus - subject to organizational performance
• 25 days of annual leave, along with public holidays (UK)
• Improved contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Benenden Healthcare
• Season Ticket Loan
• Laptop, IT equipment, and remote IT support

NB: We provide a variety of work-life balance and family-friendly, flexible working options.
This is a hybrid role (office-based and home-working), with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, which might increase, subject to team requirements.

Applications
If you are interested in working with us and believe you have the suitable background and skills, please apply with your CV, with the cover letter included in the same document, detailing what you think you can contribute to the company, explaining your suitability for the role.

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact: