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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to analyse satellite data and uncover impactful stories.
- Company: Be part of the BBC, a leading media organisation committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible 35-hour work week, 25 days annual leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in journalism while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in satellite data analysis, programming in R/Python, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; we value diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 70000 £ per year.
Senior Data Scientist (Senior Software Engineer), BBC Verify
Join to apply for the Senior Data Scientist (Senior Software Engineer), BBC Verify role at BBC .
Package Description
Job Reference: 20803
Band: D
Salary: Up to £70,000 plus London weighting depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
Contract type: Permanent
Location: London – Hybrid
We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
- Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
- Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
- Benefits – We offer a negotiable salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process please contact the reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk. For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk.
Job Introduction
BBC Verify brings together open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialists, disinformation reporters, fact checkers and data journalists to find impactful stories and to offer new lines and compelling coverage of the biggest issues across BBC News’s website, social media, television and radio. The successful candidate will work alongside three other data scientists, using their computing skills to multiply the story-finding and story-telling capacity of BBC Verify.
Main Responsibilities
This is a role for a data scientist, programmer, or a mix of both who specialises in ingesting, analysing and explaining satellite data and who can work effectively in news as part of a multidisciplinary team. Their computing skills will enable the team to find new stories, to pick which story ideas to follow and to find stories faster from satellite imagery, APIs.
Examples Of Recent Projects Include
- Automating steps in the collection and presentation of satellite imagery in order to speed the assessment of damage in military conflict.
The Successful Candidate Must Have
- Extensive experience finding newsworthy insights in a broad range of satellite data sources.
- Extensive experience developing automated tools that have the potential to find stories in satellite data.
- Experience of embedding the latest research practices/techniques relating to use of satellite data in non-expert groups.
- Extensive experience programming in R and/or Python to automate the extraction, cleaning, transformation and analysis of satellite data.
- An understanding of delivering stories or projects with editorial content to tight deadlines.
- Experience identifying, proposing and delivering new ideas for analysis OR improvements to workflows based on technical skills and understanding of the organisation’s needs.
- The communication skills to work with non-technical colleagues to identify the technical strengths and weaknesses of story ideas and to explain analysis findings and caveats clearly and concisely.
About The BBC
The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC for different reasons and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours here. Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.
We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
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Senior Software Engineer, BBC Verify (London) employer: British Broadcasting Corporation
Contact Detail:
British Broadcasting Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, BBC Verify (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in satellite data analysis and how they apply to journalism. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to discuss relevant projects or ideas during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of data science and journalism, especially those who work with satellite data. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your programming skills in R and Python by working on personal projects or contributing to open-source initiatives. Having tangible examples of your work can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the BBC's values and how they relate to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how your background and experiences align with these values during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, BBC Verify (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with satellite data, programming in R and/or Python, and any relevant projects. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to find newsworthy insights and automate processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you're passionate about the role at BBC Verify. Mention your understanding of the importance of data in journalism and how your skills can contribute to impactful storytelling.
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include details of recent projects you've worked on that relate to satellite data analysis or automated tools. Highlight your role in these projects and the outcomes achieved, especially those that align with the responsibilities of the position.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your technical skills in detail during the application process. Prepare examples of how you've used your programming skills to solve problems or improve workflows, as well as how you communicate complex ideas to non-technical colleagues.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Broadcasting Corporation
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with R and Python during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've automated data extraction and analysis, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Storytelling Ability
Since the role involves finding and telling impactful stories from satellite data, come prepared with examples of how you've turned data insights into compelling narratives. This will show your understanding of the editorial process.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Technical Colleagues
The ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-experts is essential. Practice articulating your past experiences in a way that is accessible to those without a technical background, as this will be key in a multidisciplinary team.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Flexibility
Given the hybrid working model, be open about your preferences for flexible working arrangements. This shows that you are adaptable and willing to find a balance that works for both you and the BBC.
