Data Scientist

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain's energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The NESO 'Markets' team delivers critical business activities to enable participation in real-time markets, meeting the needs of our current and future customers to deliver consumer value as the GB electricity system decarbonises. Within Markets, the 'Market Requirements' team has a critical role to play supporting our frequency market development, design and delivery activities. The team also works closely with other teams in support of our NESO ambitions to enable zero carbon system operation and competition everywhere.

The successful candidate will join the team at a critical time. You will sit in the heart of the energy sector to design, develop and operate a greener, net zero future for Great Britain! This is an exciting opportunity to join the 'Frequency Risk and Modelling' team who are responsible for providing analytical and model development to ensure frequency security of the GB system. The team sets out policy and optimises requirements for the procurement of current frequency services and ensuring NESO real time operation security. The team leads the development and communication with industry on the frequency risks that the NESO manages through the Frequency Risk and Control Report. The team supports the design of the future response and reserve services based on changing system needs, and implementation of the new services into operations. The team develops and owns several bespoke models and tools that optimise current and future response requirements. The team also plays a key role in the post event review of frequency events. You could be part of a team with lots of scope for project work, including supporting innovation projects, and collaboration with industry and academia.

This role can be based from Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

National Energy System Operator's (NESO) mission is to facilitate the decarbonisation of Great Britain's energy network and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean electricity for consumers. We work with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using a wider adoption of technology and changes in consumer behaviour, as well as ensuring we have the right markets, networks, and frameworks in place, to transform the way we operate tomorrow.

Join us, and let's energise progress.

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain's electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

• Develop, maintain and update Statistical/Machine Learning models and algorithms to generate current and future frequency response and reserve requirements. Coordinate with different functional teams to implement models and monitor outcomes.
• Propose operability solutions, recommendations and create useful insights by analysing large data sets with full consideration as to impact on power system security, consumer value and market impacts, and present results through enhanced visualisation techniques to engage stakeholders effectively.
• Assist design, develop and maintain new or existing tools within Market Requirements interfacing with key operational users or IT as required. Support model and tool productisation by working closely with IT.
• Work together in project teams environment to drive optimisation and improvement the future frequency response and reserve product development, design and implementation.
• Work together with others in the team in initiating and leading innovation projects using data science skills to solve operational challenges in frequency control. Represent NESO in collaboration with industry and academia.
• Support post-event analysis following frequency events in the GB to ensure compliance and drive modelling and process improvement.
• Communicate the market change impacts to NESO Senior Management, Ofgem, DESNZ, service providers and other non-technical audiences.

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Passionate about achieving Zero Carbon operation for the GB energy system and believing new service designs and policy development to deliver benefits for GB consumers.
• Experience of data analytical skills, including data manipulation and statistical modelling.
• Working experience in MS Excel, competent in one or more programming languages (R, Python, SQL, C++, VBA etc).
• An innovative mindset to suggest and come up with ways of improving our current models and products.
• Strong ability to learn quickly and to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills, to communicate complex technical plans with confidence.
• Experience in power system frequency operation and market design would be beneficial.

A competitive salary between £54,000 - £68,000 - dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being. Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey. A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table. Generous Total Rewards Plan - comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits.

This role closes on 6th July 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.