At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful data science projects and turn complex data into actionable insights.
- Company: Optima Partners, a fast-growing AI and data consultancy based in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of analytics in a rapidly expanding consultancy.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by solving real-world problems with advanced analytics and AI.
- Qualifications: 3-7 years of data science experience, strong skills in Python/R, SQL, and cloud platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Optima Partners, we connect business context, advanced analytics and engineering rigour to help organisations solve their most complex challenges and deliver measurable outcomes at speed. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Edinburgh, Optima is an AI and data consultancy specialising in transformation across Financial Services & Insurance, Energy, Telecoms and Life Sciences. Backed by significant recent investment from Growth Capital Partners (GCP), we are entering an exciting new phase of growth. This funding accelerates our UK expansion, strengthens our service and innovation propositions and enables further investment in our people, technology and client delivery capabilities.
Are you a client‑focused Data Scientist who enjoys turning complex data into clear actionable insights? At Optima Partners we’re looking for a Data Scientist to help our clients solve real‑world problems using advanced analytics, machine learning and AI. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll work end‑to‑end from discovery through to delivery, shaping solutions that are practical, scalable and aligned to business goals.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the delivery of high‑impact analytics and data science solutions for our clients
- Applying advanced techniques including machine learning, statistical modelling, NLP
- Owning client engagements and communicating insights clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences
- Collaborating closely with consultants, engineers and analysts across Optima
- Helping evolve Optima Partners’ analytics and AI capability
What we’re looking for:
- 3–7 years’ experience in data science within consultancy or a commercial environment
- Strong skills in Python and/or R, SQL and cloud analytics platforms
- Experience with supervised & unsupervised learning, time‑series modelling and NLP
- Familiarity with deep learning and generative AI (LLMs)
- Experience building dashboards in Power BI, Tableau or similar
- A delivery‑focused mindset with strong stakeholder and communication skills
Apply for this role to take real ownership of high‑impact client work, grow your data science career in a fast‑scaling consultancy and shape practical analytics solutions that genuinely make a difference.
Contract Senior Data Scientist – Energy & Utilities (Remote, Inside IR35) employer: Optima Partners
Optima Partners is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, where innovation and employee growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on advanced analytics and AI, employees have the opportunity to work on high-impact projects in a rapidly expanding consultancy, supported by significant investment for further development. The remote nature of the role allows for flexibility while being part of a team that values client engagement and practical solutions, making it a rewarding environment for data science professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Senior Data Scientist – Energy & Utilities (Remote, Inside IR35)
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Optima Partners!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Contract Senior Data Scientist – Energy & Utilities (Remote, Inside IR35) at Optima Partners.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Optima Partners.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Contract Senior Data Scientist – Energy & Utilities (Remote, Inside IR35) at Optima Partners, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Senior Data Scientist – Energy & Utilities (Remote, Inside IR35)
Some tips for your application 🫡
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!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Optima Partners, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Optima Partners. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optima Partners
✨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!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Optima Partners!
✨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.
