At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data to uncover insights and support strategic decisions at the Port of Dover.
- Company: Join the Port of Dover, a key player in the UK's transport network.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks annual leave, private healthcare, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative IT team with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Pursuing a degree in Data Science or related field with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 22000 £ per year.
The Port of Dover is looking for a motivated and analytical Data Placement Student to join our IT team for 12 months. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to apply their academic knowledge in a dynamic commercial environment, working across a diverse range of business functions within one of the UK's most important transport hubs.
You'll work with stakeholders across the organisation, helping them understand and utilise data to drive operational excellence, improve business performance and support strategic decision-making.
As a Data Placement Student, you will collect, process and analyse data from a variety of sources to uncover valuable insights and opportunities. Working closely with teams across the business, you will gather reporting requirements, develop analytical solutions and create engaging visualisations that help stakeholders make informed decisions. You'll also contribute to the development of data pipelines and data-driven solutions that support the Port's continued growth and innovation. This role offers exposure to a wide variety of projects and provides an excellent opportunity to develop your technical and commercial skills within a collaborative IT team.
Key Responsibilities- Research and develop new methods for collecting and gathering data.
- Collect, process and analyse large datasets to identify trends, patterns and actionable insights.
- Develop and maintain data pipelines to ensure data is accessible, reliable and suitable for analysis.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the business to understand reporting and analysis requirements.
- Create dashboards, visualisations and reports that communicate complex information clearly.
- Use available data effectively to provide recommendations that support business decisions.
- Support the implementation of data-driven solutions that improve business processes and outcomes.
- Contribute to projects that maximise the value of data to drive operational excellence and commercial growth.
- Identify data quality issues and work with relevant teams to improve data integrity.
- Stay current with emerging data technologies, tools and best practices.
In this role, you will:
- Deliver accurate, timely and high-quality analytical outputs.
- Produce dashboards and reports that meet agreed business requirements and standards.
- Present insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders and receive positive feedback on the value of your analysis.
- Proactively identify data issues, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Effectively manage competing priorities and contribute positively to the wider IT team.
We're looking for someone with strong analytical thinking, curiosity and a desire to learn.
Essential Skills & Experience- Working towards a degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or a related discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience using programming languages such as Python, R or Java.
- Knowledge of data analysis techniques and methodologies.
- Familiarity with data visualisation tools such as Power BI, Tableau or similar platforms.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to apply academic learning to real-world business challenges.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Basic understanding of the commercial and financial impact of data-driven decision-making.
- Demonstrable commercial awareness.
- Experience with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark or similar platforms.
- Coding and software development experience beyond academic projects.
- Previous placement, internship or project experience involving data analysis.
Based at the Port of Dover offices. Office-based role with occasional visits to operational areas across the Port to engage with stakeholders and support solution deployment. Occasional flexibility may be required to support key project milestones.
Why Join Us?The Port of Dover plays a vital role in the UK's economy and transport network. Joining us means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are encouraged. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of business functions while building a career in data and analytics that has genuine impact.
If you're ready to turn data into insight and help shape the future of one of the UK's most iconic ports, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits- 5 weeks annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata)
- Generous contributory pension scheme
- Private Health Care
- Life assurance
- Employee assistance programme
- 3rd party discounts
- Benefits and reward platform
- Free Parking
- Employee volunteering scheme
Hours of work: Monday – Friday 37.5 per week
Salary: £22,000
All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years) and there will be a pre-employment medical including a Drug and Alcohol test. We need to satisfy your Right to Work in the UK. Please be aware that all employees will be subject to background security checks in order to obtain a Dock Pass.
We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone is looking after each other and respected, included and able to perform at their best.
All applications are reviewed by our team — we do not use AI for screening.
Closing date: 21 August 2026 at 5pm
Data Placement Student in Dover employer: Port of Dover
The Port of Dover is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where skilled professionals can thrive in maintaining vital infrastructure. With a strong focus on safety and quality, employees benefit from competitive salaries, a contributory pension scheme, and private healthcare, all while being part of a dedicated team that values craftsmanship and employee growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Placement Student in Dover
✨Get Involved in Data Communities
Join local data science meetups or online communities like Kaggle, where you can showcase your skills through competitions and collaborate with others. Being part of these groups not only boosts your visibility but also opens up potential placement opportunities!
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don’t forget to check in with your university’s career services! They often have exclusive placement opportunities, workshops, and networking events tailored for data science students that can help you land that sweet gig at Port of Dover.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Create a public portfolio or blog where you can share your data science projects. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gives potential employers like Port of Dover a taste of what you can do! Plus, it’s a great conversation starter in interviews.
✨Connect with Professionals on LinkedIn
Reach out to data science professionals on LinkedIn and ask for informational interviews. Get to know their journeys and share your interest in placements. This approach makes you memorable and could open doors to opportunities at places like Port of Dover.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Placement Student in Dover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off Your Data Skills:As a budding data scientist, we want to see your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving data analysis or machine learning. Include any programming languages you're proficient in, like Python or R, and don't forget to mention tools like TensorFlow or SQL that you’ve used!
Craft a Passionate Cover Letter:For a placement, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn mean loads to us! In your cover letter, express what excites you about data science and how it aligns with your aspirations. Share specific examples of what you've learned so far – whether it's courses, personal projects, or even data challenges you've tackled!
Make Your Projects Pop:We love seeing practical examples of your work, so if you have a portfolio, now's the time to shine! Include detailed descriptions of your projects, the data sources you used, the challenges you faced, and what you achieved. If possible, share links to your GitHub or a personal website showcasing your work – it adds that extra touch!
Demonstrate Statistical Knowledge:Data science isn't just about coding; it's also about understanding the stats behind the algorithms. Be sure to highlight any coursework or relevant certifications you have in statistics or data analysis on your CV. It’ll show us you’ve got the theoretical background to complement your practical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Port of Dover
✨Master Your Data Tools
For a data science placement, it's crucial to get comfy with tools like Python, R, or SQL. Brush up on libraries like Pandas and NumPy, as you might be thrown some technical questions during the interview that require real-time coding or problem-solving.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio of your data projects, especially if they're relevant to Port of Dover. Whether it's a Kaggle competition or a personal project, showing off your practical work can really set you apart and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Interviews in data science often include case study questions. Be ready to walk through your thought process on how to approach a data problem, what analysis you'd do, and how you'd interpret the results. This shows your analytical thinking and understanding of data.
✨Express Your Enthusiasm
Since it's a placement, they're looking for potential and enthusiasm just as much as skills. Be sure to express why you're passionate about data science, how you're eager to learn, and why you want to join Port of Dover specifically. Let your motivation shine through!
