At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data science initiatives to transform public services and improve user experiences.
- Company: Join DWP Digital, the UK's largest government department focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, flexible working, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by using data to drive change for millions of citizens.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM and experience in data-driven solutions required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and recognition for diversity.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 75000 £ per year.
Pay of up to £75,493, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.
A degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
Are you ready to take on a leadership role where your data science expertise can influence decisions, drive innovation, and inspire meaningful change? Do you want the opportunity to harness one of the richest datasets in the UK to shape better experiences for millions of users? Join us at DWP Digital, the UK's largest government department. We support people into work and deliver over £195bn in payments each year, helping some of the most vulnerable people in society. We're transforming our services on a once in a generation scale, using new ideas and cutting-edge technologies to build innovative, scalable, and user-centred digital solutions.
Your expertise will drive better, quicker, and more impactful results for millions of citizens.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Extensive experience delivering innovative, data-driven solutions using a range of data science techniques to solve business problems and enhance processes.
- Skilled in exploring, integrating, and transforming data from diverse sources, producing scalable, testable code in R, Python, and SQL.
- Strong track record of building team capability through effective role modelling, mentoring, and coaching.
- Proven stakeholder management skills with experience translating requirements into timely delivery of complex analytical projects.
- Able to communicate insights clearly to varied audiences, simplifying technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
You and your role
As a Senior Data Scientist, you will apply advanced data science methodologies to drive major public service transformation. You'll provide data that helps us make better, evidence-based decisions that improve outcomes for millions of citizens across the UK. You will join a dedicated and collaborative team at the centre of one of DWP's highest priority initiatives: the Health Transformation Programme. This position places you at the forefront of redesigning key health-related services, working with some of the largest and most complex datasets available in the UK to generate high-quality insights that improve outcomes for thousands of people.
You'll work closely with multidisciplinary development teams responsible for designing and enhancing the Personal Independence Payment and Health Assessment services. Your expertise in rigorous analysis and deep understanding of data will ensure that new features and service improvements are robust, evidence-based, and aligned with programme objectives. You'll collaborate with colleagues across a wide range of digital and analytical professions to promote effective, ethical, and responsible use of data. Your primary stakeholders will include the Design and Build teams and the Strategy function within the Health Transformation Programme. Your work will be essential in ensuring that programme decisions are transparent, analytically sound, and driven by high-quality evidence.
Details
Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield.
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 competitive pay of £57,946 - £75,493. The maximum salary for the grade is £68,205; however, a Digital Allowance of up to £7,288 per annum is available for exceptional candidates.
Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £19,759 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 and you'll also get all the usual public holidays.
Benefits: 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.
CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application.
Senior Data Scientist in North East employer: DWP Digital
Contact Detail:
DWP Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Scientist in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DWP Digital on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your data science skills. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used R, Python, or SQL. Show us how you've tackled complex problems and made an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling! You’ll need to explain your insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders. Use simple language to describe your data-driven decisions and how they’ve led to positive outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at DWP Digital.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Scientist in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your data science expertise in your application. We want to see how you've used R, Python, and SQL to solve real-world problems. Don’t hold back on showcasing your innovative solutions!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for the Senior Data Scientist role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit the bill.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that communicates your insights effectively. Remember, we want to see how you can simplify complex concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re following the right process. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
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 and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've used R, Python, and SQL in past projects. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions.
✨Show Off Your Stakeholder Skills
Since you'll be working with various teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your stakeholder management skills. Think of specific instances where you've translated complex requirements into actionable insights for non-technical audiences. This will show you can bridge the gap between data and decision-making.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
As a Senior Data Scientist, you'll likely be mentoring others. Be ready to talk about your experience in building team capability through coaching and role modelling. Share stories that highlight your leadership style and how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice simplifying technical concepts for varied audiences. You might be asked to explain complex data findings to stakeholders who aren't data-savvy. Use clear, concise language and avoid jargon to ensure your insights are understood and appreciated.