Band 4 Data Science and AI Developer

Job Purpose

ONR is transforming how data and AI support its mission to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations. The Data Science and AI Developer will work with business users to develop and assure analytics, data science and AI solutions that deliver business priorities and support strategic and operational decision making.

About The Role

The Data Scientist and AI Developer will:

• Grow the data science and AI capability across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities to apply data and AI to deliver innovative solutions to business needs with colleagues, partners and the wider sector.
• Apply financial, ethical and data protection considerations to the collection and use of data in decision making.
• Coach and educate teams across the business to build trust in advanced analytics and strengthen AI competency and data literacy.
• Apply current and emerging technologies to business challenges.

Principal Responsibilities

• Explain the value of AI and data science to different audiences and work with colleagues to define the problems to be solved.
• Develop, test, deploy and maintain AI and analytical outputs in line with governance, assurance and quality frameworks, ensuring evidence is available to support scrutiny and challenge.
• Bring together data from multiple sources to build models, test ideas and generate insight.
• Maintain documentation, including risk assessments, approval records, monitoring evidence and model retirement decisions.
• Provide clear, defensible explanations of analytical methods and AI outputs for technical, operational and executive audiences.
• Develop, deploy and manage models, algorithms and AI solutions.
• Ensure data and AI products meet organisational requirements for information management, data protection, security and quality.
• Keep up to date with developments in data science, analytics and AI.

Line Management Responsibilities

None currently, however, at this level there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.

Location / Travel

This post will be undertaken from a base at Bootle.

ONR operates hybrid working (working in the office and or at home) as part of our flexible working policy. There is an expectation that everyone will spend time in the office on a regular basis, recognising that some work is better done face to face. Managers will work with their teams on what works best to meet individual, team, business and organisational needs to enable collaboration, as well as balancing personal choice and wellbeing.

Work with Us

Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into ONR. We want the best people for our roles. As an inclusive employer we valueindividuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. Ourvalues‘supportive, open-minded, fair and accountable’ are central to this. Weinvestin our people to build capability, resilience, and promote wellbeing in our great teams, underpinned by our inherent focus on inclusion and excellence.

Security Clearance

BPSS

Person Specification

Inclusion

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure the recruitment process is inclusive and barrier-free. If you require reasonable adjustments as part of your application, please contact ONR HR as soon as possible, preferably before the vacancy closes, by emailing ONR.Human-Resources@onr.gov.uk or Stephanie.Glen@onr.gov.ukto discuss further.

We will also offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme.

We recognise we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces and have a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme. We offer an interview to Veterans who meet the minimum criteria for applicants who opt into the scheme. Please see eligibility criteria below.

• served for at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (as a Regular or Reserve).

• be in transition from, or ceased to be a member of, His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

• not already be employed by ONR.

Skills/Job Related Expertise

Essential

• Conducting data analysis using Python, R or equivalent tools to generate insight and support decisions.
• Developing and delivering modern AI approaches (e.g. LLMs, generative AI and retrieval augmented generation (RAG).
• Experience working with cloud platforms to deploy and operationalise models (CI/CD, monitoring, drift, incident response).
• Demonstrable ethical mindset and ability to identify/raise data ethics concerns.
• Experience applying governance and cyber security principles to data science, AI and cloud-based solutions.
• Working collaboratively and applying innovative approaches to problem solving.

Desirable

• Experience designing solutions with user needs and service context in mind.
• Familiarity with Microsoft development tools e.g., Fabric/Azure ML, and DevOps.
• Understanding of risk-informed decision making.
• Experience of producing clear, auditable technical documentation.
• Experience within government, nuclear, defence, energy or other regulated sectors.

Qualifications

A Batchelor’s degree in data science, computer science, engineering or maths or a related numerate discipline.

A masters degree or equivalent practical experience is advantageous.

For Further Information

For more information about this vacancy please contact:

E: Tim.Stanley@onr.gov.uk

Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 6th December at 23:45.

Interviews will take place W/C 14th December 2026.