At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and apply advanced data science techniques to solve real-world operational challenges.
- Company: Join the Maritime Coastguard Agency, a key player in public safety and transport.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and collaboration with diverse teams await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by using data to drive evidence-based decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience with complex datasets required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
On behalf of The Department for Transport, The Maritime Coastguard Agency, we are looking for a Data Scientist for a 6 Month Remote contract with visits to Southampton once per month. An active SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are seeking an experienced Data Scientist to develop and apply advanced statistical, mathematical and computational techniques to solve complex operational challenges. You will design and deliver data science solutions that support evidence-based decision-making, applying experimentation, exploratory analysis, feature engineering, statistical modelling and optimisation techniques to identify patterns, generate insights and evaluate potential interventions.
Your key stakeholders will be:
- Executive team for direction and strategy.
- Senior leadership teams across the agency, gaining approval and sign off of new products.
- Head of Data Governance, Head of Data Engineering, Head of Data Science.
- Subject matter experts on data systems, databases, and operational business logic processes.
A significant focus of the role will be the development of Genetic Algorithms and optimisation models to support operational planning. You will translate complex operational requirements into cost and fitness functions, designing optimisation models that balance competing priorities, constraints and trade-offs. Experience of Genetic Algorithms, evolutionary computing frameworks (such as DEAP) and fitness function development is highly desirable.
You must have strong Python programming skills and experience working with large and complex datasets in Databricks using PySpark and Spark SQL. You should demonstrate expertise in applied statistics, hypothesis testing, data quality assessment, data linkage and the development of mathematical, machine learning or decision-support models. Beyond technical capability, we are seeking someone who can mentor junior colleagues and influence multidisciplinary teams, working collaboratively with data professionals, subject matter experts and senior stakeholders to shape analytical approaches and deliver successful outcomes.
The successful candidate will be able to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, build consensus across diverse groups, and lead data science projects from discovery through to implementation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain analytical solutions using Python, SQL, and cloud-based data platforms, applying software engineering best practices to create robust, scalable, and reusable code.
- Analyse, cleanse, transform, and model complex datasets to support operational and strategic decision-making across the Agency.
- Apply a range of data science, statistical, optimisation, machine learning, and analytical techniques to solve real-world business problems, selecting the most appropriate approaches for each use case.
- Design, develop, and improve analytical models, algorithms, and decision-support tools that provide actionable insights and support evidence-based planning.
- Build and maintain data pipelines and analytical workflows within the MCA Data Platform, ensuring data is accessible, reliable, and fit for analytical use.
- Communicate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, presenting insights in a clear, compelling, and actionable manner.
- Engage with stakeholders across the organisation to understand business challenges, translate requirements into analytical solutions, and promote data-driven decision making.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of analytical methods, tools, coding standards, and development practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of data science delivery.
- Work closely with Data Engineering, Data Governance, and Architecture teams to ensure analytical solutions align with organisational standards and best practice.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident: As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, MOJ guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
Armed Forces Covenant: The Ministry of Justice guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs.
Data Scientist in Southampton employer: Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing
The Government Property Agency is an exceptional employer, committed to reshaping the Civil Service and providing innovative workplaces across the UK. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and inclusivity, the Agency offers a dynamic work culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages continuous improvement. Working in locations like Manchester, Darlington, or Sheffield not only allows for hybrid flexibility but also places you at the heart of significant government transformation initiatives, making your role impactful and rewarding.
Contact Details:
Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist in Southampton
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.
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Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing
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You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.
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Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing.
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