Senior Data Scientist

🧪 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 🧪

📍 Location: Hybrid 1-2 days per week onsite in London

📅 Start: 1st December - 1st April initially

💰 Day Rate: Outside IR35 - £500-600 - depending on experience.

An established consultancy is seeking a Senior Data Scientist (Contract) to lead and deliver a series of high-impact machine learning proof-of-concept and beta-stage projects for a major public sector client.

You’ll play a key role in shaping the technical direction of these projects, providing both hands-on expertise and leadership to a small team of data scientists, supported by engineers. The work will involve a balance of technical delivery, client engagement and strategic oversight.

Role Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead and mentor for junior data scientists.
• Partner directly with client stakeholders to translate complex technical insights into business impact.
• Define and guide the machine learning strategy and direction for assigned projects.
• Lead the design, training and validation of models and algorithms.
• Maintain hands-on involvement.
• Work collaboratively with data engineers (note: MLOps responsibilities are handled by the engineering team).
• Contribute to broader AI and ML strategy development within the engagement.

Required Skills & Experience

• 6+ years’ experience in Data Science.
• Demonstrated experience in technical consulting, ideally with exposure to public sector.
• Strong proficiency in Python and key data science libraries (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow).
• Broad, practical understanding of machine learning and AI methodologies.
• Proven success in proof-of-concept design and delivery.
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.