Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Uncover insights from large datasets to influence health services and policy.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department driving digital transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible hours, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions of lives using cutting-edge data science techniques.
- Qualifications: Strong background in Data Science, Maths, or equivalent experience; coding skills in Python and SQL.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with excellent career growth and professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 66000 £ per year.
Data Scientist
Pay up to £57,367, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance.
Are you a data scientist who wants your work to have real impact in helping prepare a major government department for the future of automation and AI?
As a Data Scientist in DWP Digital, you\’ll work on automation and AI-driven enhancements within the ServiceNow platform, including the Virtual Agent – our conversational interface that helps colleagues get support quickly through automated chat – used by around 120,000 colleagues. You\’ll use machine learning, analytics and data engineering skills to solve complex problems, reduce manual effort, and directly influence how services perform at scale.
This role offers a unique blend of hands-on modelling and experimentation with collaboration alongside a variety of teams and departments. You\’ll own and deliver data science projects, identify actionable insights, and shape how the department adopts emerging AI capabilities.
The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We\’d love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Strong experience with Python (core programming language), along with common data science libraries such as Pandas, NumPy and SciKit-Learn
- Experience applying machine learning and AI techniques (classification, clustering or regression) to real problems, ensuring solutions are robust and meet the intended business outcome
- Familiarity with Jupyter / notebook workflows
- Ability to evaluate and prioritise improvement opportunities and plan changes that deliver measurable benefits
- Strong communication skills, able to translate complex analytical findings into clear, understandable messages for both technical and non-technical audiences
- Knowledge of IT methodologies such as Agile, and experience working with multidisciplinary teams
A degree or higher in STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
You and your role
As a Data Scientist you\’ll work at the heart of automation and AI transformation, with a core focus on improving the ServiceNow platform and its Virtual Agent capabilities. You\’ll use data to understand how colleagues interact with it, where conversations succeed or break down and how automation can take friction out of these journeys. You\’ll own and deliver projects that explore how machine learning, natural language processing and automation can streamline workflows while reducing manual effort at scale.
On a daily basis you will work closely with developers, product owners, researchers and designers to prototype and iterate solutions. Using tools such as Python, R, SQL, Jupyter and Power BI, you\’ll explore data, build and test models (within ServiceNow), and turn analytical findings into actionable insights that support better service design.
A key part of your role will be your approach understanding problems, shaping the approach, and presenting insight in a way that influences decisions. You\’ll help ensure our work adheres to privacy, security and ethical standards, and you\’ll contribute to building capability by promoting best practice in data science.
In this role you\’ll play a significant part in preparing DWP for future AI opportunities by shaping how emerging technologies are applied across services used by thousands of colleagues and millions of citizens.
If you are naturally curious, collaborative and motivated by solving complex problems through evidence and experimentation then this could be for you.
Details. Wages. Perks.
Location: You\’ll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model – you\’ll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer pay of £44,447 to £57,367, based on our assessment of your capability.
Pension: You\’ll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £12,876 per year.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.
You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You\’ll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with \’I Can Be Me in DWP\’
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it\’s even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
And we have an award-winning environment and culture:
- DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
- Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
- Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards
Process
We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:
Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There\’ll be full instructions when you click through.
Interview: a single stage interview online.
Please note, a degree or higher in STEM ( Science, Technology, engineering, or mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
Click APPLYfor more information and to start your application.
Data Scientist employer: DWP Digital
Contact Detail:
DWP Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DWP on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Data Scientist role. Personal connections can give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your coding skills in Python and SQL. Be ready to showcase how you've applied data science techniques in real-world scenarios. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for data science! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've used data to drive change or improve processes. This will demonstrate your proactive insight generation and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our community at DWP Digital.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your coding skills in Python and SQL. We want to see how you can apply these skills to solve real-world problems, so don’t hold back on showcasing your experience!
Be Data-Driven: As a Data Scientist, your ability to analyse large datasets is key. Share examples of how you've used data science techniques to drive insights or improve processes. We love seeing proactive insight generation!
Tailor Your Application: Read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Use the same language and focus on the skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Know Your Data Science Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your data science techniques, especially NLP and machine learning. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in real-world scenarios, as this will show your practical experience and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Since coding in Python and SQL is crucial for this position, prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities. You might be asked to solve a problem or explain your thought process while coding, so practice writing clean, efficient code beforehand.
✨Understand Stakeholder Needs
Be prepared to talk about how you've engaged with stakeholders in the past. Think of examples where you identified their needs and delivered impactful analytical projects. This will highlight your communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
✨Be Proactive and Curious
Show your enthusiasm for data science by discussing how you've proactively identified opportunities to apply your skills. Share examples of how your insights have driven innovation or efficiency in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with what they're looking for.
