At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and implement ML models to solve real business problems and drive insights.
- Company: Join Optima Partners, a fast-growing firm transforming customer engagement with data.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 37 days holiday, private medical insurance, and training support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community focused on continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working on varied projects for major brands.
- Qualifications: Strong STEM background, experience in ML, and proficiency in Python or R.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Core Data Scientist to apply ML, statistical modelling and experimentation to solve complex business problems and drive measurable outcomes across our client base. You will work hands‑on with large datasets, developing and deploying models, running tests and translating data into clear, actionable insights. The role focuses on building scalable data science solutions, validating performance through experimentation and partnering with stakeholders to ensure analytical outputs deliver real business impact.
About us: Optima Partners is a fast‑growing professional services firm helping leading organisations transform customer engagement at the intersection of marketing, technology and data. We work with major brands including Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Nationwide, Aviva, Virgin Media O2, BT, Centrica, and GSK. As we scale from 80 to 200 people we’re growing our Advanced Data team. We are collaborative, curious and focused on delivering practical insight that helps organisations make better decisions and grow sustainably. You will join a practitioner‑led business with a strong data science community, working alongside people who are passionate about applying analytical thinking to real‑world business problems.
About the role: As a Core Data Scientist, you will be a technical specialist who develops and implements ML models that deliver meaningful value for our clients. You will work closely with stakeholders to understand business challenges, translate requirements into analytical solutions, and turn complex outputs into clear, actionable insight. This is a great opportunity for a passionate data scientist to build their career across multiple commercial sectors, contribute to multi‑disciplinary project teams and play an active role in a growing data science practice.
What you will be doing:
- Developing and implementing machine learning and statistical models to solve practical business problems
- Working with stakeholders to understand objectives, shape analytical approaches, and communicate findings effectively
- Translating technical outputs into clear, transparent, and actionable recommendations to support decision‑making
- Exploring data, testing hypotheses, and identifying opportunities to create customer and commercial value
- Collaborating with teams across data science, engineering, strategy, and design to deliver high‑quality outcomes
- Keeping up to date with emerging data science techniques, including practical applications of Large Language Models
What we would like you to have:
- Strong academic background in mathematics, statistics, science, engineering, or another numerate discipline
- Minimum 2:1 degree in a STEM subject, with a postgraduate qualification in a quantitative field considered beneficial
- Good knowledge of statistics, including experimental design, uncertainty quantification, and predictive modelling
- Experience with supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, ideally in a commercial environment
- Proficiency in Python and/or R, with the ability to quickly learn new tools and approaches to operationalising data science solutions
- Ability to communicate complex analysis clearly to audiences with both technical and non‑technical backgrounds
- Inquisitive mindset, strong problem‑solving skills, and the ability to work independently or as part of a small team
- Awareness of commercial value drivers such as revenue, cost, profitability, and customer behaviour is advantageous
Why join us: At Optima, you will work on varied, meaningful projects for well‑known organisations while continuing to develop your technical expertise. You will be part of a supportive data science community with a strong culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration. You will have the opportunity to apply your skills across different sectors, learn from experienced practitioners and build a career path with clear opportunities for development and progression.
What’s on offer:
- Competitive salary + bonus up to 15%
- 37 days holiday (incl. Christmas shutdown)
- Private medical insurance, life & income protection
- Pension scheme
- 1,000+ employee perks
- Dedicated learning, training, and certification support
If you’re ready to build your career in a practitioner‑led consultancy where data science is applied to meaningful, real‑world problems, we’d love to hear from you.
Core Data Scientist employer: Optima Partners
Optima Partners is an exceptional employer for a Core Data Scientist, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and continuous learning are at the forefront. With a strong focus on meaningful projects for major brands, employees benefit from competitive salaries, extensive holiday allowances, and dedicated support for professional development. Join a passionate data science community that values innovation and provides clear pathways for career progression in a fast-growing firm.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Core Data Scientist
✨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 Core Data Scientist 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 Core Data Scientist 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 Core Data Scientist
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.
