Senior Data Analyst - Data Scientist

at  Scottish Water

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Scottish Water are looking for a Data Scientist to join our Business Analytics Team.
Our aim in Business Analytics is to turn data into valuable insights for the business. We are an ambitious team and make use of a range of techniques including statistics, mathematics, machine learning, data mining and data visualisation to derive value from data. We use digital technology and cloud services to produce “Apps” that help our colleagues drive improvements in key business areas, such as asset management and water quality. We work closely with our stakeholders, through an inclusive and collaborative process, to ensure that we solve the right problems and deliver useful outcomes. We have a strong pool of talent within Business Analytics and offer excellent learning opportunities.

What you’ll be doing:

• You’ll undertake in-depth statistical and mathematical analysis through the manipulation of structured and unstructured data from multiple sources, including data preparation and data merging.
• You’ll help to address significant business challenges and enhance Scottish Water’s understanding of complex issues by both evolving the capability of existing analytical products (e.g. processes, algorithms, predictive models, tools) and creating new analytical solutions.
• You’ll translate conclusions and outputs in a way that can be easily understood by others.
• You’ll work closely with a wide range of colleagues towards co-creating solutions that are tailored to specific data and business needs.

What you’ll need:

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• A proven ability to extract patterns, trends or models from real-world data sets.
• A proven ability to translate complex analytical outcomes into business intelligence that can be easily understood and used by others who have limited experience of analytical techniques.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Degree in a numerate discipline such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Operational Research.
• Detailed practical experience of two or more of the following: measuring correlation, principle components analysis, cluster analysis, sample size calculation, ANOVA, regression analysis, decision tree analysis, Markov processes, Bayesian methods.
• Experience with Machine Learning
• Experience of using statistical programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB or similar object-orientated programming languages.

What you’ll bring

Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• MSc or PhD in a highly numerate discipline such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Operational Research.
• Strong computer programmer with significant expertise in the use of statistical programming languages such as R, Java or Python.
• Experience with SQL and cloud computing services.
• Experience in parallelised processing, e.g. Spark, Hadoop.
• Experience with the Microsoft Azure tool suite.
• Experience with agile project delivery methods and, DevOps and MLOps practices.
• Experience of knowledge elicitation techniques and how to combine knowledge from multiple sources.
• Experience of applying analytical techniques in the water industry.

Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, we know it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
You’ll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy up to five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take time off to volunteer in your community.
When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
For your future, there’s our pension (the ‘know-what-you’ll-get-when-you-retire’ kind), and life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash – handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
The not-so-small print
This is a Grade 7 role. If you’re new to Scottish Water, you’ll join us on a starting salary of £41,000. Performance-driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £51,970.
The closing date for this role will be midnight on 28th of June 2024.
A few final things worth knowing…
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you’re interested in this job, but don’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don’t rule yourself out!
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We’re also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you’ll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Finally (finally!), candidates who haven’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
We’re here to help. Ask us anything at
SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.u

• You’ll undertake in-depth statistical and mathematical analysis through the manipulation of structured and unstructured data from multiple sources, including data preparation and data merging.
• You’ll help to address significant business challenges and enhance Scottish Water’s understanding of complex issues by both evolving the capability of existing analytical products (e.g. processes, algorithms, predictive models, tools) and creating new analytical solutions.
• You’ll translate conclusions and outputs in a way that can be easily understood by others.
• You’ll work closely with a wide range of colleagues towards co-creating solutions that are tailored to specific data and business needs