Principal Data Scientist (AI)

Successful candidates may be based in any of our office locations - Cardiff, Glasgow, or London. We especially welcome applicants from Cardiff and Glasgow. (20% hybrid, 1 day per week)

Ofgem plays a vital role in ensuring that households and businesses across Great Britain can rely on safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy. As the energy system becomes more complex and the transition to Net Zero accelerates, we need stronger analytical capability, better tools and responsible use of AI to help us regulate effectively. Within Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS), we are building the platforms, methods and ways of working needed to support that.

As Principal Data Scientist (AI), you will play a key role in advancing Ofgem’s data science capability and shaping how AI is applied across the organisation. You will lead the development of advanced analytical products and AI models, working across teams to identify opportunities where data science can deliver real value. This is a highly collaborative role, combining deep technical expertise with stakeholder engagement, innovation and leadership. This role is for someone who wants to apply data science and AI to complex regulatory problems that matter. You will work on questions about energy markets, consumers, risk and regulation, helping Ofgem use evidence more effectively, identify emerging issues earlier and make better-informed decisions.

You will work with colleagues across Ofgem to embed data science into business processes, support better decision-making and improve organisational effectiveness, while helping others build confidence in responsible and practical use of AI. The role involves a mix of hands‑on technical leadership, product thinking, stakeholder engagement and capability‑building.

You will be responsible for:

• Identifying and shaping opportunities where AI, machine learning and data science can deliver value across Ofgem, working closely with stakeholders and leaders
• Designing, developing and deploying advanced analytical products and AI models using Ofgem’s core technology stack, including Azure, Fabric and Azure Machine Learning
• Translating complex data into clear, compelling insights, communicating effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Collaborating with data engineers and other specialists to ensure data is sourced, prepared and deployed effectively within production environments
• Leading and contributing to high‑value data science projects, with a particular focus on innovation and practical application of AI
• Providing technical leadership in data science and AI, setting standards, sharing best practice and supporting the development of colleagues
• Driving continuous improvement in tools, techniques and ways of working, ensuring data science capability continues to evolve
• Engaging with internal and external data and AI communities, staying at the forefront of emerging trends and practices

We are looking for a technically strong and curious data science leader with extensive experience in AI, machine learning and advanced analytics. You will bring a track record of designing and delivering useful data science solutions, strong programming capability, and the judgement to know when AI is the right answer, when it is not, and what is needed to make analytical work trusted and usable. You will be a strong collaborator and communicator, able to build relationships across multidisciplinary teams and translate complex technical concepts into meaningful insights. Your approach will combine innovation with pragmatism, ensuring that data science solutions are scalable, maintainable and aligned to organisational needs. Experience within government or the wider public sector would be beneficial, but is not essential.

What matters most is your ability to apply data science and AI to real‑world challenges, influence stakeholders and contribute to building a high‑performing, forward‑looking data capability. This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping how Ofgem uses data and AI to deliver better outcomes, at a time when its mission has never been more important.

Person specification:

• Extensive expertise using a variety of AI and data science tools and techniques, particularly those used at OFGEM. (Lead Criteria)
• Extensive expertise in designing, developing and embedding AI and data science solutions that enable organisations to achieve their goals. (Lead Criteria)
• Extensive expertise in collaborating with data engineers and scientists, and delivery teams to source, clean and prepare data appropriately.
• Extensive expertise in writing complex programs and scripts, optimising code and testing products.
• Demonstrable evidence of contributing to building AI and data science capability.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering in an agile, iterative manner that delivers value early.
• Demonstrable experience of understanding the role of user research and establishing user needs.

Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

You will also be asked to prepare a presentation. Full details of the presentation will be included in the invitation to interview.

Alongside your salary of £49,452, OFGEM contributes £14,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050.

This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know:

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity.

Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.