Principal Research Fellow in Health Data Intelligence

The University of Sunderland offers life‑changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries.

We’re an inclusive, ambitious and forward‑looking University in a vibrant city that’s constantly evolving. We’re also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape.

As we move through 2026, we’re celebrating being recognised as:

• A top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North
  ‑
  East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North
  ‑
  East for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)

Help build the future of AI-enabled healthcare.

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.

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

Is this you?

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.

At the University of Sunderland, we’re more than a place of learning, we’re a welcoming community that values inclusivity, collaboration, and well‑being. We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers that come with support, flexibility, and plenty of perks:

• Up to
  49 days’ holiday - that’s 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.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, don't wait – get your application in early!