Associate Data Scientist in Southampton

Are you ready to join a high-impact data science team shaping the future of maritime and coastal safety? Can you turn complex data into powerful solutions that drive strategic decisions? Can you confidently engage with cutting edge technology to drive better data science led outcomes? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Join the Data and Analytics team at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), where we are transforming how data is used to save lives and ensure safer, more sustainable seas. Our team is at the forefront of data innovation, supporting critical and strategic decision-making across the organisation.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea. Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Role

As an Associate Data Scientist, you will join a team delivering impactful data science solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and unlock value across the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). You will work within a multidisciplinary team to explore, test, and deliver innovative approaches using the MCA tech stack. This role is ideal for individuals who are curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning and responsible data use.

Responsibilities

• Data Exploration and Analysis: Investigate and analyse diverse datasets to uncover insights, trends, and opportunities for improvement. Apply statistical methods and scientific techniques to extract insights from structured and unstructured data.
• Machine Learning and AI Delivery: Support the development and deployment of machine learning models and AI-driven tools that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Data Engineering and Pipelines: Work with cloud-based tools and scalable infrastructure, including Databricks, to support collaborative data science workflows. Understand continuous integration and deployment pipelines, including automated testing and code validation.
• Agile Data Product Development: Contribute to the design and delivery of data products that are iterative, responsive to user needs, and built with scalability and sustainability in mind.
• Visualisation and Communication: Create clear, engaging visual outputs and narratives that help stakeholders understand and act on data insights.
• Ethical and Responsible Practice: Apply principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of data science work.
• Learning and Adaptability: Stay current with emerging tools and techniques and actively seek opportunities to apply them in new and evolving contexts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Help identify opportunities where data science can add value, and support conversations that translate business challenges into analytical solutions.
• Documentation and Reproducibility: Maintain clear, well-structured documentation to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and knowledge sharing.

As an Associate Data Scientist, you’ll play a vital role in uncovering insights from complex datasets and supporting the development of innovative data science solutions. Your day-to-day work will involve exploring data, applying statistical and machine learning techniques, and creating clear visualisations to communicate findings. Collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to strategic data use are at the heart of this role.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile which is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.