SQL Developer - Job Opportunity at University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 21, 2025
Hybrid
£38,674 - £51,059 per year

Benefits

Access to world-class academic research environment and collaboration opportunities with leading researchers
Hybrid working arrangements providing flexibility to balance remote work with on-site collaboration
18-month fixed-term contract offering intensive experience in healthcare data management
Opportunity to contribute to nationally significant primary care research with real-world impact
Professional development through exposure to complex healthcare datasets and regulatory compliance

Key Responsibilities

Maintain and develop the ORCHID database infrastructure, ensuring data integrity and availability for critical primary care research initiatives that inform national healthcare policy
Produce strategic data extracts and analytical outputs that directly support research projects with potential to influence healthcare delivery across the UK
Design and implement sophisticated database solutions including scripts, views, and stored procedures that enable researchers to access complex healthcare datasets efficiently
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for data governance, establishing best practices for healthcare data management that ensure compliance with stringent regulatory requirements
Collaborate with national agencies, universities, and research partners to deliver world-class research insights that contribute to evidence-based healthcare decision making

Requirements

Education

relevant Masters' degree (or equivalent work experience)

Experience

appropriate experience, ideally using primary and/or secondary care data

Required Skills

Microsoft SQL writing T-SQL queries manipulating complex datasets sound understanding of Data Protection Legislation Information governance policies for utilising healthcare data
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Healthcare data analytics is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by digital transformation initiatives across NHS trusts and private healthcare providers, with organizations investing heavily in data infrastructure to support evidence-based medicine and population health management. The regulatory landscape for healthcare data is becoming increasingly complex with GDPR, UK GDPR, and sector-specific regulations creating high demand for professionals who understand both technical implementation and compliance requirements. Academic-industry partnerships in healthcare research are expanding rapidly, with universities playing pivotal roles in large-scale population health studies that require sophisticated data management capabilities and cross-institutional collaboration.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of £38,674 - £51,059 is competitive for mid-level SQL developers in the UK academic sector, particularly considering the specialized healthcare data experience gained and the prestigious institutional affiliation. This represents approximately 15-20% premium over standard SQL developer roles due to the healthcare specialization and regulatory compliance requirements.

Role Significance

Likely working within a specialized data team of 5-8 professionals including data scientists, analysts, and database administrators, with regular interaction with research teams across multiple departments and external collaborating institutions.
This mid-level position offers significant autonomy in database development and strategic influence on research outcomes, with responsibilities spanning technical implementation and procedural development that directly impacts multi-institutional research initiatives.

Key Projects

Large-scale longitudinal studies tracking patient outcomes across primary care settings Population health surveillance systems supporting public health policy development Multi-site research collaborations requiring complex data harmonization and standardization Regulatory compliance implementations ensuring adherence to evolving healthcare data protection standards

Success Factors

Deep understanding of healthcare data structures and clinical terminology systems, enabling effective translation between clinical concepts and database implementations Strong regulatory compliance knowledge ensuring all data handling procedures meet stringent healthcare data protection requirements while facilitating legitimate research activities Collaborative skills for working across academic disciplines and with external partners, balancing technical expertise with clear communication to non-technical research stakeholders Adaptability to evolving research requirements and regulatory changes, maintaining system flexibility while ensuring data integrity and security

Market Demand

High demand exists for SQL developers with healthcare data experience, driven by NHS digitization initiatives, academic research expansion, and regulatory compliance requirements creating a specialized skill shortage in the market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Microsoft SQL Server and T-SQL expertise form the foundation of daily responsibilities, with advanced query optimization and database design skills essential for handling large-scale healthcare datasets efficiently and reliably Healthcare data governance and regulatory compliance knowledge is absolutely essential, as any mishandling of patient data could result in serious legal and ethical consequences, making this expertise more critical than in typical SQL developer roles Complex dataset manipulation capabilities are crucial for transforming raw clinical data into research-ready formats, requiring understanding of both technical processes and clinical data structures

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of statistical software integration (R, Python) would enhance ability to support researchers and expand career opportunities into data science roles Understanding of clinical coding systems (ICD-10, SNOMED CT) would improve effectiveness in healthcare data management and increase value to research teams Project management skills would support coordination of multi-site research initiatives and enhance progression to senior research data management roles

Unique Aspects

Integration with the ORCHID Research Platform provides access to one of the UK's largest primary care databases, offering unparalleled exposure to population-level healthcare data and research methodologies
Direct collaboration with national agencies and cross-institutional research partnerships, providing networking opportunities and visibility within the UK healthcare research community
Opportunity to contribute to research with immediate policy implications, as primary care research directly informs NHS strategies and national healthcare delivery approaches
Fixed-term structure allows for intensive skill development in a prestigious setting while maintaining flexibility for career progression

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior roles within 3-4 years, with the specialized healthcare data experience and academic research exposure providing strong foundation for advancement in either academic or commercial healthcare data roles.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Database Developer specializing in healthcare informatics Data Architecture roles in NHS Digital or healthcare technology companies Research Data Manager positions in academic institutions or pharmaceutical companies Healthcare Data Consultant roles supporting digital transformation initiatives

Company Overview

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford represents one of the world's most prestigious academic institutions, with the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences being a globally recognized leader in primary care research and evidence-based healthcare policy development.

As a top-tier research university, Oxford commands exceptional respect in academic circles and maintains influential partnerships with government agencies, healthcare organizations, and international research institutions, providing unparalleled access to cutting-edge research opportunities.
Oxford serves as a major hub for UK healthcare research and policy development, with strong connections to NHS organizations, government health departments, and the broader Oxford academic ecosystem including associated colleges and research institutes.
The academic environment emphasizes intellectual rigor, collaborative research, and long-term impact over commercial pressures, fostering an atmosphere of continuous learning and contribution to societal benefit through evidence-based healthcare improvements.
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