At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to deliver innovative data solutions for the UK transport and built environment.
- Company: Connected Places Catapult, a leader in innovation for public bodies and businesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day fortnight, competitive pension, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact using cutting-edge data science and emerging technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in data science, machine learning, and strong problem-solving skills required.
Application Deadline: 11 August 2026
Department: Built Environment & Local Growth
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London and Milton Keynes
Compensation: £32,805 - £47,442 / year
Contract type/Duration: Permanent
Working hours: Full Time 9 Day Fortnight working pattern
Band: 2.1
Salary: £32,805 - £47,442 (depending on office location and proven ability)
Reports to: Head of Applied Data Science
Location: Milton Keynes, Birmingham or London (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)
Closing date: 10am on the 11th of August 2026
The Role
We're looking for a highly motivated and collaborative Consultant Data Scientist to join the team and help deliver digital and data solutions which accelerate innovation in the UK transport and built environment domains. Connected Places Catapult provides impartial 'innovation as a service' for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel. This often includes the use of data analytics and emerging technologies to understand, model, and solve real-world challenges. As a Consultant Data Scientist you will contribute to a wide range of projects, working alongside technologists, researchers, designers, project managers and external partners from industry, academia and government. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys problem solving and applying data science to real-world settings and challenges. You will have opportunities to work with emerging digital technologies including digital twins, geospatial analytics, infrastructure data, and innovation testbeds. Your role will involve analysing and visualising data; developing analytical models and prototypes; supporting the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques; and communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences through reports and presentations. You will work as part of multidisciplinary teams under the guidance of more senior data science colleagues and contribute to technical analysis and solution design while continuously learning and upskilling on the job, including developing your domain expertise, commercial awareness, and stakeholder management skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Proven experience in applying data science in an industry or commercial setting.
- Ability to apply statistical analysis, machine learning, AI, and data visualisation techniques to solve real-world problems and generate actionable insights.
- Experience in prototyping and developing data science and data engineering solutions in languages such as Python.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within project teams.
- Ability to conceptualise data architecture and design around requirements of multiple stakeholders.
- Experience with AI-assisted development tools and modern Generative AI technologies, including LLMs and agentic workflows.
- Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams using agile delivery approaches.
- Experience working in project-based environment, ability to handle multiple projects effectively managing time and delivery.
- Experience of quickly and actively learning key concepts in new methodologies and approaches.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
- Pragmatic and outcomes focused, with problem-solving aptitude and creative thinking skills.
Desirable
- Degree in an engineering, mathematical, or scientific discipline.
- Experience working in the transport, construction, infrastructure, engineering, or innovation sectors.
- Knowledge of languages such as R, Java, Terraform, C++ etc.
- Knowledge of Git, version control, and collaborative software development workflows.
- Experience working with large-scale urban datasets and applying machine learning techniques to solve city-scale challenges.
- Experience in backend or frontend development frameworks.
- Experience designing and querying databases (e.g. PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.).
- Experience creating and maintaining digital infrastructure, including infrastructure as code.
Benefits
- 9 day fortnight for everyone.
- 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
- Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
- Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
- Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
- Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
- Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
- Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
- Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates - provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.
Consultant Data Scientist in Birmingham employer: Catapult
At Catapult, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the heart of Greater London, where innovation meets passion in the thrilling world of motorsport technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and teamwork, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that empowers elite motorsport teams with cutting-edge data-driven solutions, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's most exciting cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Data Scientist in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Catapult!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Consultant Data Scientist at Catapult.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Catapult.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Consultant Data Scientist at Catapult, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Data Scientist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Catapult, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Catapult. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Catapult
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Catapult!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
