Lead Data Scientist in London

Lead Data Scientist in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
R

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative data science projects and mentor junior team members.
  • Company: Join RSSB, a forward-thinking organisation in the railway sector.
  • Benefits: 30 days annual leave, private medical cover, flexible working, and learning opportunities.
  • Why this job: Drive real-world impact through cutting-edge analytics and machine learning.
  • Qualifications: Experience in data science, Python, and strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive and inclusive team culture.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Join RSSB as Lead Data Scientist and drive innovation by introducing new tools and frameworks, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. As Lead Data Scientist, you will oversee analytical and machine learning projects, making sure our digital products address real-world problems. You will maintain best practices throughout the development lifecycle while mentoring junior team members. This is a permanent role based at the RSSB office in Fenchurch Avenue with hybrid working. In-office days will be based in the City of London, supported by a commuting travel subsidy benefit.

What you'll do:

  • Lead the delivery of analytical and machine learning workstreams, ensuring models and outputs are robust, repeatable, and aligned with business needs.
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts, architects, and product teams to ensure analytical outputs are technically sound and ready for operational use.
  • Uphold best practices in coding, documentation, reproducibility, version control, and model assurance.
  • Support the implementation of secure, compliant, and well‑governed data science workflows.
  • Provide technical guidance, code review, and coaching to junior data scientists, helping them build capability in modelling, testing, and delivery practices.
  • Communicate analytical findings clearly and effectively, tailoring outputs to technical and non‑technical audiences.
  • Contribute to fostering a collaborative, curious, and inclusive team environment.

What we’re looking for:

  • Experience delivering applied data science or ML projects end-to-end, including feature engineering, model selection, evaluation, and iteration.
  • Demonstrable experience developing solutions in Python, with good practices around code structure, testing, and version control.
  • Experience in translating business problems into analytical approaches, and designing modelling strategies.
  • Experience collaborating with data engineers, architects, and product teams to develop or integrate models into pipelines, services, or cloud tools.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas simply, using appropriate visualisation and storytelling techniques.
  • Experience working in Agile delivery environments, contributing to sprint planning, backlog refinement, estimation, and iterative delivery.
  • Ability to manage workloads across competing priorities, delivering high-quality work to agreed time, cost, and quality expectations.
  • Commitment to good governance and security practices, ensuring data quality, reproducibility, and compliance with organisational standards.
  • Curiosity and willingness to stay current with emerging analytics tools, frameworks, and modelling approaches.

Desirable:

  • Experience deploying ML models or analytical services into cloud environments (Azure preferred).
  • Experience with a range of ML and agentic frameworks, and cloud infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with public sector and/or safety-critical environments.

Why Join RSSB?

We value our people and offer a competitive benefits package, including:

  • 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
  • Private medical and dental cover
  • Flexible and hybrid working options
  • Season ticket loan and travel subsidy
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Volunteer leave
  • Performance-related bonus
  • Pension scheme
  • Learning and development opportunities

Ready to Apply? Apply now and help us shape the future of railway standards. We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing vacancies@RSSB.CO.UK.

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us at vacancies@rssb.co.uk. We understand the importance of work-life balance, and we offer our staff the flexibility to work within our core hours and the option to vary their location between both the office and home. If you are looking for further flexibility, speak to us at interview stage so that we can consider your request.

Lead Data Scientist in London employer: RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD

At RSSB, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Lead Data Scientist based in the heart of London, you will enjoy a competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options that support a healthy work-life balance. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample learning and development opportunities, ensuring you can thrive in your career while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of railway standards.
R

Contact Detail:

RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at RSSB on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your application noticed.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your data science projects, especially those that align with the job description. Being able to demonstrate your experience in Python and machine learning will set you apart.

✨Tip Number 3

Ace the interview by practising common data science questions and scenarios. Think about how you can explain complex ideas simply, as communication is key for this role. We want to see your storytelling skills!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the RSSB team.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist in London

Analytical Skills
Machine Learning
Python
Feature Engineering
Model Selection
Data Visualisation
Agile Methodologies
Collaboration
Code Review
Data Governance
Cloud Environments
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Mentoring
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with data science and machine learning projects. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be explaining complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences, it’s crucial to demonstrate your communication prowess in your application. Use clear language and maybe even include examples of how you've effectively communicated findings in the past.

Highlight Collaboration Experience: We love teamwork! Make sure to mention any experiences where you’ve collaborated with data engineers, architects, or product teams. This will show us that you can work well in a hybrid environment and contribute to our collaborative culture.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD

✨Know Your Data Science Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your data science and machine learning knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with end-to-end project delivery, feature engineering, and model evaluation. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to translate business problems into analytical solutions.

✨Show Off Your Coding Skills

Since the role requires strong Python skills, be prepared to talk about your coding practices. Bring examples of your work that demonstrate good code structure, testing, and version control. If possible, share a GitHub link or similar to showcase your projects.

✨Communicate Like a Pro

You’ll need to explain complex ideas simply, so practice your communication skills. Think about how you can tailor your explanations for both technical and non-technical audiences. Use storytelling techniques and visualisation to make your points clear and engaging.

✨Be Ready to Collaborate

Collaboration is key in this role, so think about your experiences working with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with data engineers, architects, and product teams in the past. Highlight your Agile experience and how you contribute to team dynamics.

Lead Data Scientist in London
RAIL SAFETY AND STANDARDS BOARD
Location: London

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

R
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>