At a Glance
- Tasks: Use data modelling to enhance train timetables and improve customer journeys.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of rail travel while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in data modelling and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48815 - 51814 £ per year.
BUSINESS FUNCTION: Strategic Development
SALARY: £48,815-£51,814 / Grade: ML1/SB2
ROLE TYPE: Permanent
LOCATION: York or Manchester
HOURS: 37 per week
People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind every reliable journey is a timetable that’s been carefully designed, tested, and improved. As part of our Strategic Development team, you’d be right at the centre of that work as a Timetable Modelling Specialist – shaping how our services run today and how they’ll run tomorrow.
This role focuses on turning data into better journeys. You’d use specialist modelling tools to test ideas, spot opportunities, and solve performance challenges across our Operating Plan – the blueprint that keeps our trains moving. Working closely with Planning, Commercial, and Operations, your insight will help create a timetable that’s not just workable, but resilient, efficient, and built around our customers.
What you’ll be doing:
- Using timetable modelling software such as Trenolabs to test and improve how our services perform - training can be provided on specialist software
- Exploring different timetable options and identifying ways to improve punctuality and reliability
- Translating complex modelling outputs into clear, practical recommendations
- Working with Planning and Commercial teams to turn ideas into deliverable timetable changes
- Collaborating with colleagues to assess how changes affect traincrew, rolling stock (trains), and wider resource planning
- Working with industry colleagues to consider how our plans interact with other train operators and Network Rail across the wider network
- Supporting the development of seasonal timetables, such as Autumn plans
- Contributing to business cases and documentation that support Operating Plan improvements
- Keeping modelling processes, documentation, and best practice up to date
About you:
Data Modelling experience, analytical thinking, and clear communication – that’s the combination that makes this role work.
You’ll bring:
- Demonstrable experience using modelling tools or analysing complex data – ideally in a rail or operational setting
- Ideally a good understanding of railway geography and how timetables are built and governed
- Confidence interpreting technical outputs and explaining them in a way others can act on
- Preferably knowledge of how railway operations work, including rules, planning cycles, and constraints
- Strong numeracy skills, with education to A-level standard or equivalent
- The ability to manage deadlines and balance competing priorities
- A collaborative approach – comfortable working across teams and influencing decisions
If you’ve worked with timetable planning rules, Network Code, or traincrew and rolling stock planning, that’s a bonus – but not essential. What matters most is your ability to turn insight into action.
What’s in it for you?
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plugin hybrid car.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board. At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
Timetable Modelling Specialist employer: Northern
Northern is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact the reliability of rail services across the North. With generous benefits such as unlimited free travel for you and your family, a robust pension scheme, and tailored training opportunities, we prioritise employee growth and well-being. Our inclusive culture fosters collaboration and recognition, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to shape the future of rail travel.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Timetable Modelling Specialist
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We think you need these skills to ace Timetable Modelling Specialist
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Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
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✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
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✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
