Job summary

We're helping to build the future of open source data science in health and social care at the Strategy Unit, and we need you to help us!

We build data science products with R and Python We deliver training in data science regionally and nationally We believe in the power of sharing code and we share our code We have access to all the tools that you need to do open source data science and to deploy products in the cloud to our customers nationally We have a lot of fun, we love to learn new stuff together, and we want you to be a part of it

We're looking for data scientists with skills in Python, agile and collaborative working, team players who can learn from and teach others as part of an innovative data science team. You may have skills in machine learning, statistics, data wrangling, text mining- the most important quality is ability and readiness to learn new things, and to share your knowledge with the team and with the wider health and social care system.

ML is committed to our process of redeployment at risk members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Main duties of the job

You will be working alongside other data scientists to carry out commissioned work for the data science team, including helping to design and build software and tools for analysis, writing and maintaining reproducible analytic pipelines, and providing internal and external training on data science methods. You will be expected to publish code wherever possible and to contribute to and learn from communities of data scientists in health and social care, particularly NHS-R or NHS Pycom.

As aSenior Data Scientist,you will have experience in designing, managing and maintaining open source code for data science and you will work in a team delivering software, code based tools, documentation and training to our clients regionally and nationally.

We are committed to open-source reproducible analytical pipelines (RAP- to ensure the methods are shared widely across the NHS, including sharing code and transferring skills to national and local teams, particularly through NHS-R/ NHS Pycom.

You will be a valued member of the Strategy Unit team, supporting the development of our services, systems, strategy, and reputation for excellence.

You will be provided with the opportunities you require to develop your skills and build your career, both through formal training and hands-on experience.

This is a permanent role, band 7 (£46,148 - £52,809), can be done hybrid/ remote, with a base in Birmingham.

About us

The Strategy Unit is a specialist NHS team, based in Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit. We work with NHS and social care organisations, universities, charities, and government organisations to deliver clear thinking and applied analysis that improves decision-making, implementation, and results. Our basic proposition is simple: better evidence, better decisions, better outcomes. We host the Midlands Decision Support Network and the NHS-R Community (

For more information about our work please visit:

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible, and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each job on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.

We have identified three diverse groups, In particular, we want to achieve a better balance across our organisation between men and women, increase representation of people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and recruit more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace together.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Contribute to the design, production, and maintenance of data science products as code, including but not limited to reproducible analytical pipelines

Work with our customers to identify and structure the problems they need to address, using agile methods to iteratively produce code and outputs to meet the requirements of our clients

Proactively learn new data science methods and ideas to ensure that you can work across a range of our projects, you will be fully supported to learn throughout your time in the team

Interpret and explain your work to both analysts and non-analysts within our clients organisations. This will include writing reports as well as presenting the results, confidently conveying key findings, critical uncertainties, business risks and opportunities

Write and deliver training internally as well as where appropriate externally

Work to produce quality open source outputs, including clean, readable code, and documentation, and promote and disseminate the work of the data science team accordingly

Be a team player, sharing your skills and knowledge, contributing to skills development and code reviews, and learning from others in the data science team and the wider unit

The postholder may be asked to provide line management for other data scientists in the team

To find out more about the role please contact the recruiting manager Chris Beeley . If you want to find out what it's like working in the team please refer to a blog post Chris wrote in a previous recruitment round (although please note this time we are recruiting for someone with Python skills- last time it was Python or R). If you still have questions or want a candid perspective on what its really like to work in the team do email team members YiWen Hon () or Matt Dray ().

NB: Internal candidates will take preference and will be considered first.

Person Specification

Education and experience

Essential

1.Postgraduate degree or equivalent level of experience 2.Experience of using open-source programming languages and tools of reproducible analytic pipelines 3.Knowledge of data science concepts to present complex information and write reusable and well documented code to use initiative to develop and implement new ideas along with team working skills and the ability to learn from and contribute to the culture of an innovative, open data science team