Senior Data Scientist

Job overview

Data science is a broad and fast-moving field spanning maths, statistics, software engineering and communications. Data scientists will often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, using data and analytics to inform and achieve organisational goals.

In this role, you will:

• be inquisitive
• explore and visualise data
• make recommendations to address complex problems and to inform strategic and operational decision making
• use data ethically and appropriately
• be innovative and adaptable
• explore existing and new data using a range of statistical tools and techniques, such as machine learning and predictive analytics
• find patterns in data and transform them into organisational insight

At UKHSA we recruit to a standardised job descriptions for data scientists. We are currently hiring to the following roles:

In the Data Science and Gen-AI team applying advanced data science, and generative AI capabilities to support UKHSA’s strategic priorities to Understand, Prevent and Respond to health threats.

In the Analytical Innovation team designing, developing, and deploying advanced methods and tooling to support public health decision-making. The unit takes a whole systems approach, working with partners across the Agency and externally to improve operational efficiency.

Main duties of the job

A senior data scientist will work independently and have a good understanding of a range of topics, including data science techniques, delivery methods and stages (such as minimal viable products), tools and technologies.

At this role level, you will:

• develop complex solutions using a range of data science techniques, whilst understanding any ethical considerations
• understand the role and benefits of data science within the organisation
• support capability building within the organisation
• collaborate with others to develop data science solutions and outputs supporting the organisation
• prepare and manipulate data, and perform complex analytics
• present and communicate effectively

In these teams, you will:

Data Science and Gen-AI team

• Build AI and digital solutions that improve surveillance, evidence synthesis and public health response.
• Work with scientific, clinical and analytical teams to deliver secure, scalable products.
• Develop technologies including LLMs, computer vision and analytics platforms for key health programmes.

Analytical Innovation team

• Develop and evaluate novel analytical approaches to improve pathogen surveillance and strengthen biosecurity
• Apply advanced data science techniques including machine learning (ML), generative artificial intelligence, reproducible analytical pipelines, and statistical modelling
• Promote best practice and innovation in data and analytics, building knowledge-sharing networks and strengthening analytical capability across organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential criteria

• Strong proficiency applying analytical and statistical techniques across real-world codebases; practitioner level in SQL and in Python and/or R with fluency in Git-based workflows (branching, code review) testing and reproducible environments.
• Experience in wrangling, cleaning and preprocessing data in readiness for analysis, including working efficiently with large/complex datasets.
• Applied understanding of machine learning approaches (regression, classification, clustering), selecting suitable validation strategies (train/validation/test, cross-validation) and evaluating performance using appropriate metrics (e.g. precision, recall, F1, ROC-AUC) while addressing issues such as imbalance and leakage.
• Working independently and in collaboration with others to deliver multiple concurrent projects, managing scope, risks and dependencies and contributing to team practices (e.g. agile, code reviews, documentation).
• Highly proficient organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, schedule and re-plan to meet tight deadlines. Produces clear technical and non-technical documentation and keep accurate project records.
• Ability to construct and effectively communicate persuasive data stories using fit-for-purpose visualisation with clear narrative, communicating uncertainty, assumptions, caveats and limitations of the data.
• Solid understanding of quality assurance, data validity, reliability and confidentiality issues and statutory information governance requirements.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and a flexible approach to developing solutions including stages between user requirements to product delivery.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, communicate, present and capture requirements from technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Make sound, evidence-based decisions within remit; escalates appropriately with well-reasoned options and recommendations.
• A first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills.
• OR have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5)

Desirable criteria:

• Understanding of public health and healthcare intelligence, including surveillance, needs assessment, audit, and commissioning support.
• Experience using clinical, epidemiological, environmental, and socio-economic data for public health incident response and research, including data acquisition, linkage, querying, and automated pipelines.
• Strong understanding of epidemiology, including transmission dynamics, surveillance methods, sampling design, bias, and confounding.
• Experience or interest in bioinformatics, pathogen genomics, and molecular epidemiology.
• Experience producing analytical products such as software tools, automated reports, dashboards, and visualisations to support decision-making.
• Experience applying generative AI techniques, including LLMs and RAG

Selection Process Details (Success Profiles)

This vacancy is using Civil Service behaviours (part of Success Profiles) and the Government Digital and Data Profession Framework for Data Science

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (12) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1250 word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words. We will not consider any words over 1250 words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of

• Strong proficiency applying analytical and statistical techniques across real-world codebases; practitioner level in SQL and in Python and/or R with fluency in Git-based workflows (branching, code review) testing and reproducible environment will be conducted.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Technical Assessment

You will be invited to remote Technical Test. Technical Tests will be held week commencing 28th September 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.

You will be provided with a representative data science task and data set and have 90 minutes to construct a code-based solution.

You will then have an interactive remote discussion with a panel. Here you will present your outputs and respond to questions interactively.

This session is expected to last around 20 minutes. The assessment is predominately designed to test your coding and mathematical skills, and the marking will align to the GDD data science framework.

Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to attend a final interview. The scores from both the technical test and interview stages will be combined to determine your overall outcome. Feedback will be provided at this stage.

Stage 3: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours and Technical skills from the GDD Data Science profile will be tested at interview

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving – (Lead behavior)
• Working Together

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria – External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

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