Researchers across the University benefit from our JGI Seedcorn Funding. Funding is great when you have someone to do the work – but what if you don’t have the right data science expertise in house? For that, this summer we are trialling a new JGI Data Scientist Support service. This provides an alternative support mechanism for researchers who need expertise and time, but not funding.
The Jean Golding Institute’s team of data scientists and research software engineers are here to support researchers across the University of Bristol fostering a collaborative research environment spanning multiple disciplines. Over the past seven years, our team has expanded thanks to various funding sources, reflecting the increasing importance of data science support in facilitating research outcomes and impact.
Get in touch with our team to find out how they can help you with:
- Data analysis – recommendations or support with tools and methods for statistics, modelling, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, geospatial datasets and reproducible data analysis.
- Software development – technical support, coding (for example: Python, R, MATLAB, SQL, bash scripts), code review and best practices.
- Data communication – data visualisation, dashboards and websites.
- Research planning – experimental design, data management plans, data governance, data hazards and ethics.
Our aim is to support researchers and groups that may not have in-house expertise but have project ideas that can be developed into applications for funding. We’re seeking projects that can take place over the summer until early autumn (July – October 2024).
How to apply
Please complete an online expression of interest form
Deadline: 15 July 2024
Selection process
The JGI team will get back to you within one week, to discuss your request.
If demand exceeds our current resource levels, we’ll meet with applicants to help prioritise projects. As with seedcorn funding, priority will go to applications that match JGI strategic goals and have clear pathways to benefit, such as an identified funding call or impact case.
Examples of data science projects
- Social mobility analysis project – using local and national level data to investigate how different people in Bristol and other UK cities feel about life in their local environment. The JGI data scientist worked as part of a multidisciplinary team including University of Bristol researchers and external stakeholders, for around 2 days per week for 3 months. They analysed survey and geospatial data using Python, presented findings to the group. The output of the project was a grant application in which a data scientist was costed longer-term.
- Antimicrobial resistance project – examining patterns in observed levels of antimicrobial resistance during the COVID pandemic. The JGI data scientist worked with a University of Bristol researcher and collaborated with a public sector stakeholder, for around 4 days per week for 4 months. They performed statistical modelling using R, producing data visualisations of the trends found. The project has led to an Impact Acceleration Funding application to develop a tool used to support local health planning.
- Transport research-ready dataset grant – linking administrative datasets to support research into car and van use in the UK. The JGI data scientist developed data pipelines and provided methodological and data governance input into a successful ESRC funding application in a collaboration between researchers at the universities of Bristol and Leeds. The data scientist was a named researcher on the application and went on to perform data analysis as part of the project team.