Data Scientist II - Data Science Consulting in Reading

The Data Scientist II - Data Science Consulting plays a pivotal role in executing individual research and advanced Data Science projects that translate complex consumer datasets into actionable insights. Sitting at the intersection of quantitative market research, Predictive Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence, this position leverages Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to design and implement Data Science solutions to optimise our clients’ Marketing Effectiveness.

On a day-to-day basis, this will involve cleaning and processing multi-source survey data, building advanced statistical models, and designing interactive dashboards to present key insights to stakeholders. Through rigorous quality control and technical expertise, this individual ensures that client deliverables are executed on time, driving strategic decision-making for leading media, entertainment, and lifestyle brands.

We're looking for someone to:

• Take the lead on directing, defining and implementing solutions to moderately complex client problems, effectively defining clear success criteria.
• Enable Data Scientists in your team to be successful, and consistently take steps to support the growth and success of your teammates.
• Critically evaluate where improvements are required in our ways of working – always through the perspective of business benefit to maximise value delivered.
• Independently manage client relationships and expectations with minimal assistance.
• Manage reasonably large projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Creatively think about how to address issues with models beyond basic feature engineering.
• Deploy and evaluate results from ML models in a production environment.
• Guide more junior members of the team in model development and deployment.
• Use tools and languages such as Python, SQL and Streamlit for reporting and analysis on our AWS data platform.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of successfully managing client engagements independently, and guiding more junior teammates to do so.
• 5+ years’ experience working within the Data Science domain.
• Proven experience of managing Data Science projects independently.
• In-depth knowledge across many different Statistical / ML techniques. You can confidently and independently apply algorithms that you are not familiar with.
• The ability to deploy and evaluate results from ML models in a production environment.
• A desire to understand the why, and dig into data to understand what makes people tick.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a subject such as Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, etc. (Master’s Degree or higher is a plus).
• Solid data analytics skills; proven proficiency with SQL, Python & Pandas is a must.
• The ability to understand business problems, draw conclusions from data and recommend actions on how best to solve these problems.
• Strong communications and presentation skills, and an ability to document requirements and work with other team members.
• Experience with TV viewing data, the TV industry and/or Media Industry experience; this isn’t a pre-requisite, but a genuine interest is a plus.
• A curiosity about data and enjoy building data visualisations that clearly articulate insight.

Who We Are:

MarketCast measures what moves people. Powered by AI, trained on decades of verified consumer response data, and backed by proprietary technology, MarketCast is the marketing effectiveness partner for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting emotional resonance to real-world business outcomes across advertising, sponsorships, content, brand health, and advanced analytics.

With category-deep expertise spanning sports, entertainment, travel, automotive, and consumer brands, our team of seasoned industry strategists brings unmatched human intelligence to every engagement, turning complex data into decisive action so brands know exactly what's working, why it's working, and what to do next.

At MarketCast, we don't just accept difference - we embrace it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our global culture and success. MarketCast is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Our Values:

• Move The Needle: We turn insight into action and action into impact, acting with urgency and intention at every level, anticipating what's needed, executing with discipline, and driving outcomes that are measured and meaningful.
• Client Success is Our Scoreboard: We win when our clients win. Delivering scaled, tech-enabled solutions that drive measurable impact and value to build lasting partnerships.
• Grow Every Day: Expertise is earned continuously by investing in our craft, our colleagues, and our company.
• Own It: Take responsibility for outcomes, not just outputs.

Benefits include:

• Free movie tickets!
• 29 days annual leave PLUS Bank Holidays.
• Flextime with core hours between 10am and 3pm.
• 2 days’ work from home, per week.
• Enhanced maternity pay.
• Regular social events in both UK locations.
• Professional growth and career development including LinkedIn Learning.

In addition to your salary, MarketCast believes in providing a competitive total rewards package for its employees. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, and the terms of our official plan may be modified or amended from time to time.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (UK GDPR) NOTICE: The organisation collects and processes personal data relating to its applicants, employees and former employees to manage pre-employment and employment relationships and post-employment obligations. The organisation is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For further information on the information we collect, how it’s used, and how it's protected, please contact the MarketCast UK HR Team.