Data Scientist

at  Government Digital Service

JOB SUMMARY

GDS exists to help the government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK. We work at the very centre of government to drive digital transformation, focused on users. We build and maintain common platforms, products and tools for others to use and create great public services that are accessible, inclusive and easy to use. We also work with departments to identify patterns, share learning and create change to make government more efficient.
GOV.UK is the best place to find government services and information. People visit GOV.UK to access services and information which affect families, homes, jobs and businesses. Its importance cannot be overstated.
The GOV.UK Artificial Intelligence team is multi-disciplinary, including data scientists, software developers, designers, analysts and user researchers that supports delivery of solutions underpinned by data and AI for the GOV.UK programme.
We innovate with machine learning, network science and natural language processing (NLP) to help users find what they need. We are at the forefront of Large Language Model (LLM) experimentation in government. We also help colleagues at GDS and across government to work with and improve GOV.UK content.
There are other teams within the programme that will also benefit from data science, advanced analytics and experimental design support that you may work with; depending on the needs of the programme.

JOB DESCRIPTION

GOV.UK is at the vanguard of reshaping the way public services are delivered using data and artificial intelligence. With a clear commitment to creating more personalised, streamlined, and integrated services, our strategy is anchored in transparency, as seen in our publicly available GDS strategy.
For a deep dive into our recent work and accomplishments, we invite you to explore the data in government blog and the Inside GOV.UK blog.

As a Data scientist:

• you’ll support the delivery of the GOV.UK AI team’s roadmap.
• you’ll guide teams through the intricate realms of Natural Language Processing and Understanding (NLP/NLU), machine learning, and experimental design.
• you’ll identify efficient and effective ways to use advanced analytics, data science and automation to tackle business and organisational challenges.
• you’ll steer technical teams in data-driven projects. In tandem with delivery and product managers, delineate project scopes and use your time efficiently. Ensure that projects not only provide technical solutions but also deliver business value.
• you’ll commit to nurturing the data science skills and awareness of colleagues across GOV.UK and government.

WHILST WE VALUE THE USE OF AI TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE OUR DAILY WORK, WE ALSO VALUE THE PERSONAL TOUCH AND URGE APPLICANTS TO WRITE RESPONSES WITHOUT THE USE OF AI TO EMPHASISE THEIR OWN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Developing self and others
• Changing and improving
• Working together
• Delivering at pace

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework for the Data Scientist role:

• Working practises
• Python programming and coding skills
• Software development skills

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• click on the application link to see what is required before drafting your CV, as this will give you detailed information as to how to write it, which could save you from redrafting it later.
• a simple application screening process - we only ask for a CV and for you to answer 3 application questions.
• successful applicants will be sent an email with a “homework” / technical exercise to be completed prior to interview. This will be a task that assesses your python coding skills and data science knowledge. This will take several hours to complete.
• you will then attend a 60 minute interview where you will spend the first 10 minutes playing back your approach to the interview panel. The remainder of the time will be behaviour based questions

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Developing self and others
• Changing and improving
• Working together
• Delivering at pac

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework for the Data Scientist role:

• Working practises
• Python programming and coding skills
• Software development skill