At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data feasibility work to improve postnatal care using real-world NHS data.
- Company: Hesta, a mission-driven company focused on women's health.
- Benefits: Flexible working, mentorship from industry experts, and immediate impact on healthcare.
- Other info: Join a small team with big ambitions and enjoy a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of women's healthcare and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience with health data, strong skills in Python or R, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you a data scientist who wants to work with real‑world NHS data to answer meaningful clinical questions? Join us to help shape a new model of care for women.
About Hesta
Hesta is creating a new benchmark in women’s health, delivering exceptional care at every life stage. As we advance towards this goal, we are committed to closing the women’s health gap, beginning with pregnancy and postnatal as our initial focus.
The Opportunity
Hesta is building a new model of women’s healthcare and our first mission is to reimagine care for mothers through compassionate care, clinical excellence, and technology. Today, postnatal care is fragmented, reactive, and often fails to identify ongoing health needs. We are developing a clinically‑validated, digital‑first assessment and triage system that identifies early clinical signals and routes women and birthing parents into appropriate care. We are looking for a Data Scientist (fixed term contract) to deliver technical feasibility work within an Innovate UK‑funded feasibility study assessing whether real‑world data can support clinical triage and predictive modelling for postnatal conditions.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the data and technical feasibility work package, including:
- Define and execute extraction of a retrospective primary care cohort
- Clean, structure, and validate datasets from both product and NHS sources
- Identify early clinical signals at the 6–8 week postnatal check that predict longer‑term conditions
- Apply appropriate statistical and epidemiological methods (e.g., regression, survival analysis)
- Evaluate data quality, completeness, and limitations, and recommend improvements
- Work closely with clinicians to ensure outputs reflect real clinical reasoning
- Handle all data responsibly and within NHS information governance and UK GDPR requirements
- Produce clear, well‑documented outputs: clean datasets, analysis code, and a final feasibility report that a clinician and a funder can both read and trust
- Move quickly. We’re a small team with a fixed timeline and genuine ambitions — we need someone who can hit the ground running
What You’ll Bring
- Hands‑on experience working with real‑world health data, ideally GP EHR data from systems like EMIS or SystemOne
- Strong skills in Python or R — you should be genuinely proficient, not just familiar
- A solid grounding in retrospective cohort design and the statistical approaches that go with it: regression, survival analysis, handling missingness and confounders
- Enough understanding of NHS information governance to work with pseudonymised patient data correctly and confidently
- The ability to explain what you found and why it matters to people who aren’t data scientists — that includes clinicians, project team, and eventually funders
- A proactive mindset. You’ll need to spot the problems, flag them early and propose solutions
- Genuine curiosity about the clinical questions behind the data, not just the method
- Experience with postnatal, maternal or women’s health data specifically
- Familiarity with SNOMED CT or Read codes used in primary care records
- Written up findings before — internal reports, publications, or anything that shows you can go from analysis to narrative
The Practicalities
- Contract: Fixed‑term, part‑time (hours flexible, on average 2 days per week across the period)
- Duration: 6 months (some flexibility in duration; other opportunities may arise)
- Location: London
- Start: ASAP
Company Benefits
- A front‑row seat in an early‑stage, mission‑driven company to build the backbone of a healthcare service designed specifically for women
- Join a small, mission‑driven team where your contributions have immediate impact
- Direct exposure to building a real health economic case for health system adoption
- Close mentorship from founders with experience across NHS, Babylon Health, and scaling health tech businesses
- Opportunity to work on a live, funded project with real impact
- Flexible, hybrid working; our team work is based on the job that needs to be done, not office facetime
- Office facilities: spacious working space, with other innovators in Victoria, bike storage, changing facilities and a healthy supply of tea/coffee
Data Scientist - fixed term contract employer: Hesta Health Limited
Hesta is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming women's healthcare, offering a unique opportunity for Data Scientists to work with real-world NHS data on impactful projects. With a mission-driven culture, flexible working arrangements, and direct mentorship from experienced founders, employees can expect to make meaningful contributions while enjoying a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist - fixed term contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Hesta or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the specific challenges in women’s health data. Show us you’re not just a data whiz but also passionate about making a difference in this field.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission at Hesta.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist - fixed term contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Data Scientist. Highlight your experience with real-world health data and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Hesta!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for women's health and how you can contribute to our goals. Be sure to mention specific skills like Python or R that make you a great fit for the team.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Include examples of past analyses or projects where you identified clinical signals or worked with NHS data. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Hesta!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hesta Health Limited
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the types of real-world health data you’ll be working with. Brush up on your experience with GP EHR data and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve cleaned, structured, or validated datasets.
✨Showcase Your Statistical Skills
Be prepared to talk about the statistical methods you’ve used, like regression and survival analysis. Have examples ready that demonstrate how you applied these techniques to solve real problems, especially in maternal or women’s health contexts.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex data findings to non-data scientists, so practice articulating your insights in simple terms. Think about how you can relate your technical work to clinical reasoning and the impact it has on patient care.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity
Hesta is looking for someone who can spot issues early and propose solutions. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you identified a problem in a project and took the initiative to address it effectively.