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- Tasks: As a Data Scientist, you'll tackle advanced analytics and collaborate on innovative projects.
- Company: DWP Digital is the UK's largest government department, impacting millions of lives daily.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, generous holidays, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Join a purpose-driven team using cutting-edge tech to solve complex problems for the UK.
- Qualifications: You need a background in Data Science or related fields and coding experience in R, Python, or SQL.
- Other info: Work from various digital hubs across the UK and enjoy a supportive, award-winning culture.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 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
Familiarise yourself with DWP Digital's mission and values. Understanding their focus on using data science to impact millions of UK citizens will help you align your discussions during interviews and showcase your enthusiasm for their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your coding skills in Python, R, and SQL. Since these are essential for the role, being able to demonstrate your proficiency through practical examples or projects can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current employees or alumni who have worked at DWP Digital. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and the specific challenges faced by the Data Science team, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder management. Highlighting how you've successfully collaborated with colleagues to deliver complex analytical projects will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within teams at DWP Digital.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in data science, coding skills in R, Python, or SQL, and any hands-on projects that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems. Use keywords from the job description to align your skills with what DWP Digital is looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the impact of DWP Digital's work on UK citizens. Mention specific experiences that showcase your stakeholder management skills and your proactive approach to using data science in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Include a section in your application that details your technical skills, particularly in advanced analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in real-world scenarios.
Prepare for the Interview: Once you submit your application, prepare for the online interview by reviewing common data science interview questions. Be ready to discuss your past projects, your coding practices, and how you collaborate with teams to deliver analytical solutions.
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with R, Python, and SQL during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills to solve real-world problems, as this will demonstrate your hands-on experience in data science.
✨Understand DWP's Mission
Familiarise yourself with DWP's goals and how they impact millions of UK citizens. Showing that you understand their mission and how your role as a Data Scientist can contribute to it will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Since stakeholder management is crucial for this role, be ready to discuss your experience working with colleagues to gather requirements and deliver analytical projects. Use examples that showcase your ability to communicate complex data insights effectively.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity in Data Science
Be prepared to talk about instances where you've proactively identified opportunities to apply data science within a team or organisation. This shows your initiative and ability to think critically about how data can drive improvements.
