The Unit has significant expertise and capabilities in the processes of epidemiology and public health science that are required to develop, maintain, augment and analyse the high quality data sets that crucially underpin the work of the scientific programmes. Our strategic approach to these key research operations functions is guided by the following principles:

• Research operations are delivered through a shared infrastructure that supports all programmes and is responsive to scientific needs and opportunities
• Specialist technical staff are supported in their training and career development to ensure excellent scientific standards
• There is a high level of commitment to methodological knowledge exchange and the dissemination of methods for wider use.

Core operations

Some of our Research Operations teams focus on supporting research within the Unit:

• Laboratory
• Digital Tools
• Data Management
• Information technology
• Statistics and data science

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Other teams support research and studies both internal and external to the Unit – whether in Cambridge, or more widely.

University Unit BioRepository

This is a facility for smart storage, processing, retrieval and rearraying of samples prior to high throughput measurements and is a collaboration between the MRC Epidemiology Unit and the University of Cambridge.

Nutrition Measurement Platform

The Unit’s Nutrition Measurement Platform provides expertise and capacity to support research groups conducting observational studies, clinical trials, surveys and natural experimental studies. It is funded through a range of sources including the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, the Unit’s MRC core award, project grants and service work.

The Measurement Platform comprises four specialist areas:

• Anthropometry
• Dietary assessment
• Nutritional biomarkers
• Physical activity measurement

Cambridge Epidemiology Trials Unit

CETU’s research strategy focuses on investigator-led randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and other well designed studies that evaluate interventions to improve health care and public health. We have expertise in evaluating interventions ranging from individual- and group-level behavioural interventions, through to policy interventions.

• More about CETU.
• CETU also encompasses the Study Coordination and Field Epidemiology teams

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Communications and Impact

The Unit also has a dedicated Communications and Knowledge Exchange Team that supports the MRC Epidemiology Unit’s work with media, social media, public engagement, and the wider impact agenda.