Junior AI & Data Consultant - Edinburgh

Company Description

Talan Data x AI is a leading Data Management and Analytics consultancy, working closely with leading software vendors and top industry experts across a range of sectors, unlocking value and insight from their data. At Talan Data x AI, innovation is at the heart of our client offerings, and we help companies to further improve their efficiency with modern processes and technologies, such as Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Our consultants are at the heart of everything we do, and we have been recertified as a 2026 Great Place to Work®. This achievement not only highlights Talan Data x AI’s positive organisational culture but also strengthens its reputation as an employer of choice within the industry. We invest heavily in the training and development of our teams and hold regular socials in each region to encourage engagement and network building.

Job Description

We are looking for individuals with a genuine ambition to work at the forefront of AI, data, and analytics - people who are energised by emerging technologies and excited to shape the future. At Talan Data x AI, we’re enthusiastic, dynamic, and sociable team players who value collaboration, curiosity, and continuous learning.

We are seeking eager and proactive individuals with a strong willingness to learn. This is an exciting and pivotal opportunity within Talan, where you will help build AI solutions from the ground up for clients across a range of industries, with a particular focus on Financial Services. You will work with Generative AI, Agentic AI, and traditional AI technologies, gaining exposure to some of the most advanced tools in the market. You will also provision the data backbone of these AI models, playing a crucial role in ensuring the data is ready for the AI.

When not embedded on client projects, you will also contribute to the development of high-value internal accelerators that help position Talan as a leading data and AI partner. As you grow your skills and experience, there will be ample opportunity to develop within the organisation through clear progression pathways and increased responsibility.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you onto our supported Junior AI & Data Consultant intake. It’s designed to accelerate your technical capability, build your professional confidence, and develop your leadership potential in the world of AI and Data.

Locations: London, Edinburgh, Leeds & Manchester (you will be expected to work from your allocated office a minimum of four days a week unless working from a client site). Contract: Permanent, full-time Start Date: September 2026.

You’ll rotate across key disciplines including AI, Data & Consulting while gaining hands-on experience delivering real solutions for major clients in financial services, insurance, transport, energy retail, life & pensions, and the public sector.

As a Junior AI & Data Consultant, you will:

• Work directly with clients to understand challenges and shape AI and data driven solutions
• Support projects that transform data, processes, and technology
• Build and deploy models, pipelines, dashboards, and data products
• Contribute to analytics and insight generation to support real business decisions
• Develop consulting skills in communication, stakeholder management, relationship building, and problem solving
• Work both autonomously and as part of multidisciplinary teams on client site and internally.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements (Essential) - This role is targeted at recent graduates with the below requirements.

• Qualification: Minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative degree, e.g., Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or a closely related discipline with strong analytical content
• Consulting skills: Strong analytics, numeracy, and structured problem solving
• Clear communication & collaboration
• Technical document creation & presentation preparation

About you:

• Creative by nature and passionate to learn
• Aware of the importance of data, analytics and AI in industry
• Up to date with the modern and developing AI landscape
• Travel readiness: Willingness to travel and work from client locations, sometimes for extended periods
• Eligibility to work in the UK: We are unable to sponsor visas for this role.
• Qualification: MSc (or equivalent) in a STEM, Computing, Business, or related discipline, ideally with a focus on AI.
• Experience with some of the following: SQL, Python, PySpark, Cloud purpose and familiarity, e.g., AWS, Azure, Dashboard creation, e.g., Power BI, Qlik
• Understanding of an end to end data science lifecycle
• Hands-on experience with at least one of the following AI types: predictive modelling, clustering, recommender systems, forecasting, NLP/NLM, vision, statistical inference, reinforcement learning
• Foundational understanding of Generative AI and Agentic AI, e.g., prompt engineering, RAG, Lovable.
• Certifications: any relevant certifications or self-driven learning.

Additional Information

The Programme includes dedicated technical training across AI & Data, industry recognised certifications in leading tools and technologies, structured consulting and soft skills development, hands-on client experience with support from mentors and managers, access to Udemy for Business for ongoing learning, and a strong support network, including buddies, mentors, and a graduate community.

Compensation & Benefits Package includes 25 days holiday and bank holidays, 5 days holiday buy/sell option, discretionary performance based bonus, private medical insurance, life cover, cycle to work scheme, eligibility for company pension scheme (5% employer contribution, salary sacrifice option), employee assistance programme, bespoke online learning via Udemy for Business, and company electric car scheme.

Our Application Process & Timeline:

• Application Opening Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026.
• Application Closing Date: Wednesday 29th May 2026. Please note that if we receive a high volume of strong applications that we wish to progress ahead of this date, the role may close earlier, so early applications are strongly encouraged.
• Interview Process: June which will require in person attendance.