At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform data into actionable insights and support impactful journalism.
- Company: Join the Guardian, a diverse and inclusive global media organisation.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, generous pension, private healthcare, and wellness support.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in journalism with your data skills.
- Qualifications: Strong Python and SQL skills; experience with BigQuery is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.
We are now looking for a Data Scientist to join our Data Science team! You'll take on end-to-end problems and turn ambiguous questions into analysis, models, and recommendations that teams can act on. We keep things practical and focus on what works. Our data primarily lives in Google BigQuery, and we also work with off-platform data sources such as social media. We use a mix of Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform for infrastructure, and Apache Airflow powers our pipelines and orchestration. We mostly use Python and SQL, though we pick up other languages and other tools as the work demands.
About the role
- Own data science projects from problem definition to delivery, independently delivering impactful projects across the editorial, marketing, advertising, product and engineering departments.
- Understand what makes stories reach and engage audiences, support content discovery and tagging systems, analyse how editorial decisions influence performance and help journalists find leads and insights in large datasets.
- Model reader conversion, churn, and engagement with products, segmenting audiences to support growth and supporting marketing campaign and product optimisation.
- Optimise advertising campaigns, enrich content metadata for advertising purposes and help teams make better decisions with imperfect data.
- Deploy data solutions in close collaboration with the engineering team, embedding models into existing tools and workflows.
- Work on improvements at every step of the Machine Learning lifecycle.
About you
- Strong experience in Python and SQL, experience working with data in BigQuery would also be beneficial.
- Excellent command of statistics and machine learning (NLP experience a bonus).
- Proven track record delivering end-to-end analysis or modelling projects.
- Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information.
We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media. We operate in a hybrid environment working 3 days a week from our offices in Kings Cross and 2 days a week remotely.
Benefits at the Guardian
- You’ll have 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
- Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age).
- We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving.
- Season ticket loans are also available.
- You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection, and eye tests.
- You can also opt in to dental insurance.
- We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place.
- We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.
Culture and wellbeing
We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status. We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme. Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Learning and development
We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.
Data Scientist employer: Guardian-News-
At the Guardian, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that champions diversity and inclusivity within a dynamic and supportive work environment. As a Data Scientist, you'll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects that directly impact our journalism and audience engagement, all while enjoying generous benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and comprehensive health support. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on training, professional development, and a culture that prioritises wellbeing, making the Guardian a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
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 the Guardian on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which can seriously boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your data science projects, especially those involving Python and SQL. When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, share your work and how it relates to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable discussing your thought process when tackling ambiguous problems. The Guardian values clear communication, so be ready to explain your approach to both technical and non-technical folks.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our careers page for any new openings that match your skills and interests.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience with Python, SQL, and any work you've done with BigQuery. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at the Guardian!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data science and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering impactful journalism. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your abilities.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled ambiguous problems in the past. We love candidates who can turn complex questions into actionable insights, so share those success stories with us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at the Guardian!
How to prepare for a job interview at Guardian-News-
✨Know Your Data Tools
Familiarise yourself with Google BigQuery, Python, and SQL before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects, especially in relation to data analysis and model deployment.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of end-to-end data science projects you've worked on. Highlight how you turned ambiguous questions into actionable insights, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
✨Understand the Audience
Research how data influences storytelling and audience engagement at the Guardian. Think about how your skills can help optimise content discovery and improve marketing campaigns, and be prepared to share your ideas during the interview.
✨Embrace Collaboration
Since you'll be working closely with engineering teams, think about how you can effectively communicate and collaborate. Be ready to discuss any past experiences where teamwork led to successful project outcomes, especially in deploying data solutions.
