Data & Insights Lead in Belfast

Location: Belfast

Hybrid working available

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000, dependent on experience

Reports to: Directors

Closing date: Friday 18th September 2026

About Perspective Economics

Perspective Economics is an independent economic research and advisory practice based in Belfast. Since 2018, we have specialised in emerging technologies and complex sectors that traditional research methods struggle to capture from artificial intelligence and cyber security to the creative economy. We define new sectors, build taxonomies from scratch and quantify economic activity where no official statistics exist, turning complex evidence into decisions for government and industry. Working UK-wide, we have produced more than 50 published reports for over 30 government, industry and academic clients. Our approach combines proprietary data collection, economic modelling and AI-augmented analysis.

The Role

We are looking for a Data & Insights Lead to strengthen and shape the data science capability at the heart of our research practice. This is a new and strategically important role. You will lead the development of the data pipelines, models and analytical tools that underpin our client work transforming large, unstructured and novel datasets into robust evidence that informs policy and investment decisions. You will also help develop and expand our new Managed Intelligence service, working closely with our Directors and analysts. A key part of the role will be establishing consistent, responsible and repeatable approaches to data science and AI across the practice. We are looking for someone with strong technical expertise, entrepreneurial ambition and the ability to turn data into commercially valuable insights.

What You’ll Do

• Lead data science workstreams across client projects, from scoping and data collection through to analysis and delivery.
• Build and maintain robust, reproducible data pipelines using public, proprietary, open-source and official datasets.
• Work with large, unstructured and novel datasets, applying statistical, machine learning and NLP techniques.
• Develop consistent methodologies and analytical tools that can be used across multiple projects and sectors.
• Develop responsible and repeatable approaches to using AI and language models in research and analysis.
• Contribute to the development and growth of our Managed Intelligence service.
• Translate complex analysis into clear outputs, including visualisations, dashboards, reports and presentations.
• Present findings directly to clients and represent Perspective Economics at external events and conferences.
• Identify and contribute to opportunities to secure new public sector contracts and private sector clients.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• 3+ years experience in applied data science or analytics, ideally in consulting, research or a commercial environment.
• Strong technical skills in Python and/or R, including data architecture and reproducible pipeline development.
• Experience delivering analytical projects end-to-end, from research design and data collection through to client-ready outputs.
• Experience working with large, unstructured or novel datasets.
• Experience with APIs, statistical modelling, machine learning and AI tooling.
• Strong data visualisation and report-writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence explaining technical analysis to non-technical audiences and clients.
• Strong entrepreneurial drive, intellectual curiosity and sound judgement around data quality and methodology.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a small, collaborative team.
• Degree in a quantitative, analytical, research or policy discipline, or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Desirable

• Experience applying large language models or generative AI in research or production environments.
• Experience with agentic AI tools such as Claude Code and/or open-source language models.
• Experience in public policy, economic development or sector research.
• Experience securing public sector research contracts or private sector clients.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Experience presenting research publicly or contributing to published reports.

What We Offer

• £40,000 - £50,000 salary, dependent on experience.
• Performance-related pay and bonus opportunities following probation.
• The opportunity to work on nationally significant research across future-facing technologies and emerging sectors.
• Hybrid working, with three days per week in our Belfast city-centre office.
• Access to leading-edge IT and analytical technology.
• IT and personal development allowance supporting continued learning in data science, AI and economics.
• The opportunity to shape the development of our Managed Intelligence service and the wider data and AI capability of the business.
• A high level of responsibility, autonomy and opportunity to influence a growing specialist consultancy.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and short, personally written cover note outlining your relevant experience and your vision for the role by Friday 18th September. Your cover note should demonstrate both your technical capability and how you would help us develop our data science and AI capability into a sustainable source of value for our clients.