At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a collaborative team to develop impactful data science solutions for the justice system.
- Company: Be part of Justice Digital, a forward-thinking organisation focused on data-driven decision making.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a £1k learning budget for personal growth.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant community with opportunities for professional development and coaching.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society while advancing your data science career.
- Qualifications: Experience in data science and a passion for improving operational effectiveness.
The predicted salary is between 42914 - 46182 € per year.
Location: Leeds
Closing Date: 31/5/2026
Interviews will take place in person in Leeds on 16th and 17th June.
Grade: SEO
Salary: National - £42,914 to £46,182 (which may include an allowance of up to £9,424)
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 2
The Role
Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance.
We’re recruiting for Senior Data Scientists here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Scientist team. This role aligns against Data Scientist from the Government Digital and Data Framework. These roles sit within Justice Data which exists to ensure that high quality data, and algorithms and tools built on that data, are available, trusted, and effectively used to improve decision making across the justice system.
The Data Science community at MoJ has around 80 members of staff providing data science support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We have a track record of delivering services to front line staff using wide ranging data science techniques, including the award‑winning safety diagnostic tool, the public‑facing Criminal justice system (CJS) delivery data dashboard, and Splink. Our projects span machine learning, natural language processing, large language models, traditional statistics, and operational research techniques.
Senior Data Scientist – Probation Data Science & AI
You will be a member of a multidisciplinary product team - working alongside designers, researchers and developers - to embed data science solutions into the Digital tools used by frontline Probation staff. You will take ideas from concept to live service helping Probation staff save time and improve operational effectiveness. Supported by a Lead Data Scientist you’ll also help grow team capability by developing junior data scientists.
Senior Data Scientist – Risk Assessment Data Science & AI
The main programme of work entails developing, monitoring and supporting the suite of Actuarial Risk Assessment Instruments (ARAIs), which estimate the probability of various types of reoffending. Current ARAI projects range from analysing the prediction of Violence Against Women and Girls to improving the operational understanding of models using new explainability techniques. As a member of the team, you would help streamline the process for creating, updating and deploying these products, work with Digital and other leads to bring in new data sources, address HMPPS requirements such as modelling demand for new offender services and oversee other team projects to improve our understanding of offender risk using predictive modelling.
Benefits
- A generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- 25 days of annual leave, (increasing to 30 days once you have reached 5 years of service), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working, working part time or compressed hours. Designed to support a positive work–life balance.
- Future‑proof work with documentation, model monitoring, and re‑assessment schedules.
- Work collaboratively with other data scientists using version control and proportionate dev‑ops practices.
- Communicate results and possibilities to a variety of stakeholders.
- Help the team keep up to date with the wider data science landscape and emerging technologies.
- Contribute to the MoJ Data Science Community making it an inclusive and vibrant place to work.
- Contribute to the strategy and direction of technical projects.
- Coach junior data scientists, improving their technical skills and independence.
- Employees are allocated 10% of their working time for personal and professional development.
- A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best‑in‑class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e‑learning platforms.
- Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
Key Responsibilities
- Apply appropriate data science tools to build products to robust standards.
17762 - Senior Data Scientist (Leeds) employer: Ministry of Justice
Justice Digital offers an exceptional work environment for Senior Data Scientists in Leeds, characterised by a collaborative culture and a commitment to employee growth. With generous benefits including a substantial pension contribution, flexible working arrangements, and a dedicated learning budget, employees are empowered to develop their skills while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance the justice system. Join a vibrant community of data professionals where your contributions directly impact frontline services and help shape the future of data science in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 17762 - Senior Data Scientist (Leeds)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its culture before your interview. Check out their website, social media, and any recent news articles. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your technical skills and be ready to discuss your past projects. Be prepared to explain your thought process and how you approached problem-solving in your previous roles. This is your chance to shine and show off your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current employees or alumni who work at Justice Digital. They can provide insider tips on the interview process and what the team values most. Plus, it’s a great way to make connections that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace 17762 - Senior Data Scientist (Leeds)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Data Scientist role. Highlight your relevant experience in data science techniques like machine learning and natural language processing, as well as any projects that align with our work at Justice Digital.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work to show how you've applied data science tools effectively. This will help us see how you can contribute to our team and projects.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it's necessary. Make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Data Science Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your data science techniques, especially those mentioned in the job description like machine learning and natural language processing. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've applied these techniques to solve real-world problems.
✨Understand the Justice System
Familiarise yourself with the justice system and how data science can improve decision-making within it. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your skills to their mission during the interview.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Since you'll be working in a multidisciplinary team, think about how you can contribute to collaboration. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with designers, researchers, or developers in the past to deliver successful projects.
✨Show Your Coaching Skills
As a senior data scientist, you'll likely be mentoring junior team members. Prepare to discuss your approach to coaching and how you've helped others grow in their data science careers. This will highlight your leadership potential and fit for the role.
