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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Data Science team to turn data into actionable insights and solve real business problems.
- Company: Ocado Retail, the UK's largest online supermarket, known for innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Blended working, competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and support for your development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact using data science in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: A 2:1 degree in a STEM field and experience with Python and SQL are beneficial.
- Other info: Explore various business areas and gain hands-on experience in data-driven decision making.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: Hatfield (Blended working – 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Entry Level – Graduate
To read more about Ocado Retail and our Graduate schemes, visit our Careers Page !
About Us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading, joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same‑day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
Data is core to our decision making, and we have one of the richest datasets in the industry. The Data Science team develops models which turn our data into actionable insights. It is our mission to leverage data to give the best value and experience to our customers and suppliers whilst increasing profitability and growth for Ocado Retail.
The Data Science team is responsible for understanding the complexities in the data, generating appropriate models to answer business questions, and delivering the outputs of these models to stakeholders in diverse areas of the business. It is our responsibility to work across functions to productionise these models so they are available to the right people, any time they need them. This could be in the form of a data table with the outputs of the model, or developing an interface to allow users to interact with the data in a way that allows them to leverage models for their specific needs.
Our remit is to apply statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to our data at scale, and to do this we use Python, SQL, and the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). We are cross‑functional by design, working with stakeholders across the business with varying degrees of technical expertise, meaning communicating complex ideas is core to the success of the Data Science team.
What you’ll do
This scheme is about learning how we apply data science in Ocado Retail. The majority of your time will be spent in the Data Science team, owning projects from start to finish with responsibility for managing stakeholders and delivery of data science solutions with support from the wider team. This will allow you to continue to develop your Python and SQL skills to answer business questions. There will be opportunities to rotate into other areas of the business and explore analytics, insight and data engineering with Ocado Retail.
You will be given support and guidance from the Data Science team in scoping out data science projects, developing novel solutions and delivering these to key stakeholders. A typical project involves researching a business question within the context of scientific literature, identifying relevant data sources, developing models that provide an answer to the question, and delivering this to our internal stakeholders. Throughout this process there is clear communication of progress of the project to the wider team, alongside our stakeholders.
You will be taught our coding standards, and will be producing production‑ready code by the end of the programme. At the end of the programme you will have a rounded knowledge base of how data is used in the organisation, and how to apply statistical approaches to improve our service for customers and suppliers.
Placements in other teams will be aimed at broadening your awareness of what goes into data driven decision making. They may involve:
- Working in an analyst team within insight for 6 months in either Marketing, Category, Operations, Forecasting, Customer Research, Web Merchandising, or Trading (Range, Pricing, and Promotions)
- Delivery of key analytic projects for the designated team and the wider business
- Build relationships with analyst colleagues and understand different data needs throughout the business
- Working with Data Engineering for an expanded understanding of how data is processed, prepared and used in the wider business
- In addition to your core scheme, you will have the opportunity for cross‑functional rotations to gain broader business exposure outside of your primary discipline
Throughout the scheme you will be discussing your preferences for how to develop your data science skills to match your needs and the needs of the business. During the last six months of the scheme you will be encouraged to apply for permanent roles within Ocado Retail.
Who you are
- Have a curious mind and a passion for learning new methods of problem solving
- Have a methodical approach to explore every angle of a problem to be certain it’s completely solved
- Have strong logical reasoning to unpick sometimes complex code to find the source of an issue
- Experience with Python and SQL would be beneficial
- Have knowledge of statistical concepts and their applications would be beneficial
- Have great communication skills with a passion for data storytelling
What You Need To Apply
- CV & Cover Letter – Why Ocado Retail? Why this scheme? What do you hope to achieve/gain?
- A 2:1 degree in a STEM field or field with significant data usage from an accredited UK University
- The legal right to work in the United Kingdom upon scheme commencement and duration of the scheme
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don\’t lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you\’re a great fit for us.
When will you hear from us?
We love that we get loads of amazing applications for our graduate schemes. To recognise that, we aim to keep you informed throughout the process.
To start with, we’ll take a look through each application and whether successful or not, we’ll let you know. Applications will close on Sunday 9th November 2025. Our aim is to be in touch with anyone who’s applied within 2 weeks of that date.
After that, we’ll keep you informed between each stage. Given how many great applications we get, it can take some time, so please bear with us in between updates.
We treat all applications respectfully and fairly so unfortunately, if you miss the closing date we won\’t be able to make exceptions to extend stages. This wouldn\’t be fair to those candidates who have completed them!
How will we contact you?
Email, so make sure you’ve added careers@ocadoretail.com to your safe senders.
There are great opportunities to grow careers within our high‑performing and innovative business. These range from deepening your experience and expertise to potentially taking on management responsibility or even pivoting your career to do something completely different.
Our career management principles exist to help the realisation of career ambitions, whatever they might be.
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2026 Data Science Graduate employer: Ocado
Contact Detail:
Ocado Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 2026 Data Science Graduate
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you chat with folks in data science, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just tell them what you can do; show them! Create a portfolio of projects that highlight your Python and SQL skills. Whether it’s a GitHub repo or a personal website, let your work speak for itself.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those interviews like it’s a big exam! Research common data science questions, practice your answers, and be ready to discuss your projects. Remember, they want to see how you think and solve problems.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply through our careers page! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about our graduate schemes there.
We think you need these skills to ace 2026 Data Science Graduate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight your relevant skills, especially in Python and SQL, and showcase any projects or experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Keep it clear and concise – we want to see the best of you without sifting through fluff!
Nail Your Cover Letter: This is your chance to tell us why you’re excited about Ocado Retail and this Data Science Graduate scheme. Be genuine and share what you hope to achieve. Remember, we love a good story, so let your passion for data shine through!
Show Off Your Unique Self: While we encourage using AI tools, don’t forget to inject your personality into your application. We want to know what makes you tick and how your experiences shape your approach to data science. Authenticity is key – let us see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our careers page. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado
✨Know Your Data Science Basics
Brush up on your Python and SQL skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects or coursework. Understanding statistical concepts and their applications will also give you an edge, so don’t shy away from showcasing your knowledge!
✨Research Ocado Retail
Dive deep into Ocado Retail’s mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their data-driven approach and how they leverage data science to enhance customer experience. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to tackle some problem-solving scenarios during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and methodically. Use examples from your studies or previous experiences to demonstrate how you approach complex problems and derive solutions.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since communicating complex ideas is crucial for the role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you would present data insights to stakeholders with varying technical expertise. Remember, storytelling with data is key!
