Pay up to £57,367, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work‑life balance.
Are you a data scientist who wants your work to have real impact in helping prepare a major government department for the future of automation and AI?
As a Data Scientist in DWP Digital, you'll work on automation and AI‑driven enhancements within the ServiceNow platform, including the Virtual Agent - our conversational interface that helps colleagues get support quickly through automated chat - used by around 120,000 colleagues. You'll use machine learning, analytics and data engineering skills to solve complex problems, reduce manual effort, and directly influence how services perform at scale.
This role offers a unique blend of hands‑on modelling and experimentation with collaboration alongside a variety of teams and departments. You'll own and deliver data science projects, identify actionable insights, and shape how the department adopts emerging AI capabilities.
The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Strong experience with Python (core programming language), along with common data science libraries such as Pandas, NumPy and SciKit-Learn
- Experience applying machine learning and AI techniques (classification, clustering or regression) to real problems, ensuring solutions are robust and meet the intended business outcome
- Familiarity with Jupyter / notebook workflows
- Ability to evaluate and prioritise improvement opportunities and plan changes that deliver measurable benefits
- Strong communication skills, able to translate complex analytical findings into clear, understandable messages for both technical and non‑technical audiences
- Knowledge of IT methodologies such as Agile, and experience working with multidisciplinary teams
A degree or higher in STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
You and your role As a Data Scientist you'll work at the heart of automation and AI transformation, with a core focus on improving the ServiceNow platform and its Virtual Agent capabilities. You'll use data to understand how colleagues interact with it, where conversations succeed or break down and how automation can take friction out of these journeys. You'll own and deliver projects that explore how machine learning, natural language processing and automation can streamline workflows while reducing manual effort at scale.
On a daily basis you will work closely with developers, product owners, researchers and designers to prototype and iterate solutions. Using tools such as Python, R, SQL, Jupyter and Power BI, you'll explore data, build and test models (within ServiceNow), and turn analytical findings into actionable insights that support better service design.
A key part of your role will be your approach understanding problems, shaping the approach, and presenting insight in a way that influences decisions. You'll help ensure our work adheres to privacy, security and ethical standards, and you'll contribute to building capability by promoting best practice in data science.
In this role you'll play a significant part in preparing DWP for future AI opportunities by shaping how emerging technologies are applied across services used by thousands of colleagues and millions of citizens.
If you are naturally curious, collaborative and motivated by solving complex problems through evidence and experimentation then this could be for you.
Location: You’ll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer pay of £44,447 to £57,367, based on our assessment of your capability.
Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £12,876 per year.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work‑life balance which includes:
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
And we have an award-winning environment and culture:
- DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
- Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
- Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards
Process We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:
Apply
Complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There’ll be full instructions when you click through.
Interview
A single stage interview online.
Please note, a degree or higher in STEM ( Science, Technology, engineering, or mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
Click APPLY
For more information and to start your application.
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