Principal Research Fellow in Health Data Intelligence

The Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation (NORI) Institute is an ambitious partnership between the Universities of Sunderland, Durham, and Newcastle, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, and a network of national and international partners. Our mission is to transform how health and disease are detected, understood, and managed through the integration of advanced analytics, multimodal health data, retinal imaging, artificial intelligence, and real-world clinical innovation.

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Research Fellow to play a leading role in designing and delivering the health data intelligence that underpins this vision. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a nationally significant research platform from the ground up that supports cutting-edge research and the deployment of data-driven technologies into healthcare.

Working across university, NHS, civic, and industry partners, you will lead research using medical imaging, electronic health records and clinical text. You will collaborate with academic, NHS and industry partners, shape the data and analytical infrastructure supporting your research, and develop new funding opportunities.

The successful candidate will have:

1. A relevant PhD and a strong record of original, peer-reviewed healthcare machine learning research, with advanced expertise in developing and rigorously validating explainable, robust AI methods using clinical text, images or structured health records.

2. Experience leading multidisciplinary research projects or substantial work packages with NHS, academic or industry partners, delivering agreed outputs, managing resources and risks, contributing substantively to successful external funding applications, and supervising or mentoring researchers.

3. Experience translating research priorities into secure data and analytical infrastructure requirements, coordinating delivery with specialist technical colleagues, and applying sound judgement on research ethics, information governance and responsible AI when working with sensitive health data.

Benefits include:

- Up to 49 days' holiday — 36 days' annual leave, 5 festive closure days and 8 Bank Holidays
- Award-winning staff networks that celebrate who you are
- Lifestyle benefits, with savings on shopping, tech, bikes, and even cars
- Health and well-being support, from private medical cover to gym discounts
- Learning and development that helps you achieve your goals

This is an externally funded 4-year fixed term contract.