Data & Software
What we do
The QCIF Data and Software team provides expert data and software development capability to researchers and clients from academia, governments, and industry through access to on-demand, skilled personnel, with expertise in software engineering, data management, data services, and applied high-performance computing.
The team has deep expertise in working with sensitive data, demonstrated through the design and ongoing operation of KeyPoint - a secure remote analysis environment. As a Trusted Research Environment (TRE), KeyPoint provides robust governance, streamlined management, and controlled sharing of sensitive research data, enabling approved researchers to work in a highly secure and scalable environment.
Focus Area
Software Engineering
Our team provides specialised software engineering expertise to support research and innovation across diverse domains. Our team works closely with researchers (and industry and government clients) to design, build, and maintain robust software solutions tailored to address complex business and research challenges.
Custom software development – creating scalable tools, applications, and web services to meet specific research and project needs.
Cloud and high-performance computing integration – enabling software to run efficiently in secure, high-performance environments.
Data workflows and automation – streamlining data pipelines to ensure reproducibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
Software sustainability and support – maintaining and improving existing tools to extend their lifespan and impact.
Data Engineering
We help organisations and researchers unlock the full potential of their data by building secure, scalable, and efficient data solutions. We specialise in designing and managing end-to-end data pipelines that ensure data is accessible, reliable, and ready for analysis.
Data integration and transformation – combining data from multiple sources and formats into consistent, usable structures.
Pipeline development and automation – creating reproducible workflows to move, clean, and process data at scale.
Database and platform design – building secure, high-performance environments tailored to sensitive or large-scale datasets.
Cloud and high-performance computing integration – enabling data solutions to run efficiently on advanced infrastructure.
Data governance and quality assurance – embedding standards for accuracy, security, and compliance.
Sensitive Data
Before embarking on any project involving data, especially sensitive data, it is important to understand the mechanisms and limitations of data capture solutions.
QCIF can lead, contribute to, or guide the development of essential sensitive data planning, from data capture to storage and analysis.
Key deliverables for all projects include data management and test plans, helping to minimise the risk of errors or data exposure.
By engaging with the QCIF Data & Software, project teams can also gain specialised expertise in handling sensitive data, ensuring compliance with data management requirements for grant applications.
KeyPoint Operations
KeyPoint is a Trusted Research Environment that enables data custodians/stewards to manage and share sensitive research data with approved researchers in a scalable, fully governed, and highly secure environment, whilst maintaining full control of their data at all times.
For more information, visit our website and/or book a demo.
REDCap Design Services
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing clinical registries, online surveys and databases. Using REDCap enables clinical data capture to be standardised and repeatable, leading to more robust analysis.
QCIF provides REDCap design and evaluation services, ranging from initial design consultation, through to survey and data capture form development, and testing. Project-specific Application Programming Interface (API) development is also available.
QCIF also runs REDCap training for researchers, from beginner to advanced workshops. See our Skills & Training page for more information.
Database and Registry Design, Development and Maintenance
QCIF provides expertise in the design, development and maintenance of clinical project databases and registries to ensure results are consistent and repeatable, including design, evaluation of project documentation, data management planning and testing.
Data Management
We provide expert data management services to help researchers and organisations safeguard, organise, and maximise the value of their data. We ensure data is handled responsibly throughout its lifecycle, from planning and collection to storage, sharing, and long-term preservation.
Data management planning – developing plans that meet institutional, funder, and publisher requirements.
Secure data storage and access – implementing robust solutions for sensitive and large-scale datasets.
Metadata and documentation – ensuring data is well described, discoverable, and reusable.
Data governance and compliance – embedding standards that align with ethical, legal, and regulatory obligations.
Long-term preservation and sharing – enabling datasets to remain accessible and reusable for future research.
Data Analytics
QCIF helps complex datasets into meaningful insights that inform decision-making and drive innovation.
Data visualisation – translating complex analyses into clear, compelling insights for stakeholders.
Reproducible research practices – developing workflows and tools that ensure transparency and reliability.
