Data Scientist

DWP Digital
Leeds
1 day ago
Create job alert

Data Scientist
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.
Details. Wages. Perks.
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.

TPBN1_UKTJ

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Machine Learning Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re applying for machine learning engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, ML Ops or data scientist roles, hiring managers scan applications quickly — often making decisions before they’ve read beyond the top third of your CV. In the competitive UK market, it’s not enough to list skills. You must send clear signals of relevance, delivery, impact, reasoning and readiness for production — and do it within the first few lines of your CV or portfolio. This guide walks you through exactly what hiring managers look for first in machine learning applications, how they evaluate CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting shortlisted at every stage — from your CV and LinkedIn profile to your cover letter and project portfolio.

MLOps Jobs in the UK: The Complete Career Guide for Machine Learning Professionals

Machine learning has moved from experimentation to production at scale. As a result, MLOps jobs have become some of the most in-demand and best-paid roles in the UK tech market. For job seekers with experience in machine learning, data science, software engineering or cloud infrastructure, MLOps represents a powerful career pivot or progression. This guide is designed to help you understand what MLOps roles involve, which skills employers are hiring for, how to transition into MLOps, salary expectations in the UK, and how to land your next role using specialist platforms like MachineLearningJobs.co.uk.

The Skills Gap in Machine Learning Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Machine learning has moved from academic research into the core of modern business. From recommendation engines and fraud detection to medical imaging, autonomous systems and language models, machine learning now underpins many of the UK’s most critical technologies. Universities have responded quickly. Machine learning modules are now standard in computer science degrees, specialist MSc programmes have proliferated, and online courses promise to fast-track careers in the field. And yet, despite this growth in education, UK employers consistently report the same problem: Many candidates with machine learning qualifications are not job-ready. Roles remain open for months. Interview processes filter out large numbers of applicants. Graduates with strong theoretical knowledge struggle when faced with practical tasks. The issue is not intelligence or effort. It is a persistent skills gap between university-level machine learning education and real-world machine learning jobs. This article explores that gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they routinely miss, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build successful careers in machine learning.