Modelling Advancement Lead

Modelling Advancement Lead

Leeds Full-Time 57000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Modelling Advancement Programme and enhance transport modelling capabilities.
  • Company: Join the Department for Transport, a key player in shaping the UK's transport future.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, Civil Service Pension, flexible working options, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for research and development in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on transport policy and innovation while working with advanced technologies.
  • Qualifications: Strong skills in complex modelling, programming, and cloud infrastructure are essential.

The predicted salary is between 57000 - 60000 £ per year.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th April 2026

💷 Salary: £57,515 – £62,034 – A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We currently have two modelling teams:

  • Modelling Insights (MI): This team leads the development of national transport models that estimate travel demand and road traffic. They ensure TASM’s modelling and analyses are operated and managed under efficient frameworks and digital infrastructure. They also modernise our modelling capabilities and work closely with data engineers, social researchers, and policy teams to provide high‑quality insight.
  • Cross‑Modal Modelling (CMM): This newer team focuses on modelling the whole transport system by integrating transport modes and understanding how they interact across portfolios. They build connections and collaborate with other analytical disciplines to ensure the decision‑making processes are supported with stronger evidence from a multimodal angle. Their work includes land‑use modelling, freight modelling, activity‑based modelling, and developing multi‑modal guidance for TAG.

Across both teams, we have 11 analysts with a range of skillsets who collaborate closely, share ideas openly, and enjoy learning and developing together. We value diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and a supportive working environment. Our work plays a key role in delivering DfT’s strategic priorities

Top Responsibilities

  • Lead transformation to our modelling capabilities with Google Cloud infrastructure
  • Integrate our modelling workstreams and redesign data pipelines
  • Visualise and communicate modelling insights clearly
  • Embed scenario‑based analysis into our modelling approach
  • Explore innovative techniques (e.g. machine learning) to build smarter, faster models that improve our capabilities
  • Deliver research to improve modelling data and accelerate model developments

Benefits

  • Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
  • 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave)
  • 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday
  • Access to the staff discount portal
  • Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
  • Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
  • 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff
  • Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance

About You

We’re looking for people who bring passion, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you enjoy solving problems, thinking creatively, and working with colleagues from different backgrounds to deliver meaningful insights, you’ll fit right in. With your strong technical capabilities, you will drive change, improve how we model and analyse transport, clearly communicate impacts to a range of audiences, and confidently bring your own perspective to discussions.

A strong interest in programming and automation will really help you succeed, and we’re keen to support you in developing new skills that strengthen TASM’s analytical capability.

We know great analysis comes from teams with a wide mix of experiences. We welcome applications from people with strong skills in one or more of the following areas:

  • Operational Research
  • Data Science

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply here: https://bit.ly/4lJMXkE

Closing Time

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 5th April 2026

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Modelling Advancement Lead employer: Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom

The Department for Transport (DfT) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and professional growth. With flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to employee development, DfT provides its staff with the opportunity to lead transformative projects in transport modelling while enjoying a competitive salary and generous pension contributions. Located in the heart of the UK, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages impactful contributions to national transport policy.
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom

Contact Detail:

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Modelling Advancement Lead

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DfT on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can double your chances of landing that interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role involves complex modelling and programming, we should be ready to discuss our experience with Python, GIS, and cloud infrastructure in detail.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to share examples of how we've tackled complex modelling challenges in the past. This will demonstrate our ability to lead and innovate in the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our submission to highlight how our skills align perfectly with the DfT's needs.

We think you need these skills to ace Modelling Advancement Lead

Complex Modelling
Programming
Cloud Digital Infrastructure
Multi-Modal Transport Modelling
GIS
Google Cloud Platform
Data Engineering
Strategic Transport Model Development
Data Collection
Analytical Project Management
Quality Assurance
Python
BigQuery
Data Manipulation
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, make sure to read the job description carefully. We want you to understand what DfT is looking for in a Modelling Advancement Lead, so you can tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.

Showcase Your Skills: When you're writing your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! We love seeing real examples of your experience with complex modelling, programming, and any cloud infrastructure work you've done. Make it relatable!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that communicate your ideas effectively. Avoid jargon unless it's necessary, and remember to explain any technical terms for non-technical readers.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the team at DfT. Good luck!

How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom

✨Know Your Modelling Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of complex modelling techniques and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Python and BigQuery. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past projects and how they can be applied to enhance TASM’s modelling capabilities.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare examples that demonstrate your analytical project management skills. Think about times when you handled complexity and ensured quality assurance checks. This will show the interviewers that you can deliver solutions effectively and integrate multiple workstreams.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice explaining complex data and modelling concepts in a way that’s easy for both technical and non-technical audiences to understand. This is crucial, as the role requires you to communicate findings clearly and engagingly.

✨Research DfT and TASM

Familiarise yourself with the Department for Transport and the TASM Modelling Advancement Programme. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.

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