At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform guest data into real-time risk scores and enhance fraud detection.
- Company: Join a pioneering startup in guest verification and damage protection.
- Benefits: Part-time role with potential for full-time, equity options, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Work closely with the co-founder and enjoy a dynamic startup environment.
- Why this job: Be a founding Data Scientist and shape the future of our risk engine.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in ML models, strong stats background, and fraud/risk experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We're bringing on our first Data Scientist — starting part-time, with a clear path to full-time as we grow. Safeguest is a guest verification and damage protection platform for short-term rental hosts. We help hosts and property managers screen guests, score risk in real time, and offer damage protection and deposit-waiver products that replace traditional security deposits. Our risk engine sits at the center of every booking decision and every product we price — and we're looking for the person who'll make it world-class.
This is a founding data role, structured to start as a focused part-time engagement (≈2–3 days/week). You'll deliver real, measurable wins in your first 90 days — and we expect this to grow into a full-time seat for the right person.
What you'll own:
- Guest risk scoring — turn verification, booking, and behavioral signals into real-time risk scores that beat our current rules
- Fraud detection — catch fake IDs, stolen cards, and bad actors before check-in, without blocking good guests
- Actuarial pricing — model claim frequency and severity to keep our protection products profitable
You'll work directly with the co-founder, build our data and modeling foundations from scratch, and ship models that measurably reduce losses.
You're a great fit if you have:
- 3+ years building and deploying ML models in production
- Strong grounding in statistics and probability
- Hands-on experience in fraud/risk, credit/underwriting, or actuarial/insurance pricing
- Comfort with messy, imbalanced, real-world data
- A pragmatic, ownership-driven mindset — you scope, prioritize, and ship
Bonus points for: insurtech / fintech / payments background, MLOps experience, or short-term rental / marketplace domain knowledge.
Why this setup: Starting part-time lets us move fast together and prove the impact — with founding-team equity and a genuine path to full-time as the role grows.
Interested, or know someone who'd be perfect? Drop a comment or DM me.
Data Scientist in Slough employer: Safeguest
At Safeguest, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that values growth and collaboration. As a founding Data Scientist, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape our data strategy from the ground up while working closely with our co-founder in a dynamic startup environment. We offer flexible part-time hours with a clear path to full-time employment, competitive equity options, and a culture that encourages ownership and impactful contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data science projects, especially those related to fraud detection or risk scoring. We want to see your work in action, so make it easy for us to understand how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common data science questions and case studies. We’re looking for someone who can think critically about real-world data problems, so be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and statistical knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Data:When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for data science shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that relate to guest risk scoring or fraud detection. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission at Safeguest.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your 3+ years of experience in building ML models and any relevant work in insurtech or fintech. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their skills to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Safeguest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Safeguest
✨Know Your Data Science Fundamentals
Brush up on your statistics, probability, and machine learning concepts. Be ready to discuss how you've built and deployed ML models in production, as this role is all about turning data into actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled real-world data challenges, especially in fraud detection or risk scoring. Highlight your pragmatic approach to scoping and prioritising tasks, as this will resonate with the company's ownership-driven mindset.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Safeguest's platform and the short-term rental market. Being able to connect your technical skills to their business needs will demonstrate your genuine interest and help you stand out.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's risk engine and their vision for the data science role. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to making their products world-class.
