Data Science and AI Graduate Scheme in Leeds

Duration: 2 years

Salary: £45,000 + fantastic benefits

Locations: Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Chester, Halifax, London and Manchester. You may need to have regional flexibility whilst on programme. Mix office and home working with our hybrid working policy.

Qualifications: Choose from various qualifications to boost your career, including certifications through Stanford University Online. Work to a personal learning plan that matches your interests and goals.

Overview: Our Chief Data & Analytics Office has one mission: weave data, analytics and AI into every decision we make. The goal? Simple. Every choice, everywhere, driven by data.

Program Structure: As a Data Science & AI Graduate, you won’t be on the sidelines watching the algorithms run the show. You’ll be training models, crafting algorithms, deploying scalable solutions, and showing exactly what AI can do in the real world. Whether you’re optimising performance, unlocking insight or making predictions, everything you do will be rooted in data literacy, ethics and genuine business impact. Two years. Three game‑changing rotations. This two‑year programme blends office and home working. Across three eight‑month placements, you’ll see how we use data and AI to crack big‑ticket challenges. From detecting fraud and managing credit risk to decoding customer behaviour and building smarter banking tools.

You Could Become:

• A Data & AI Scientist uncovering insights, making predictions and solving complex problems with machine learning techniques. Always with an ethical and accurate lens.
• A Machine Learning & AI Engineer designing and deploying robust ML systems that bring data science to life through automation, CI/CD, and modern cloud engineering practices.

The work you could be doing:

• Design and deploy machine learning models for fraud detection, credit risk, customer segmentation, and behavioural analytics using scalable frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and XGBoost.
• Engineer robust data pipelines and ML workflows using Apache Spark, Vertex AI, and CI/CD tooling to ensure seamless model delivery and monitoring.
• Apply advanced techniques in deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and statistical modelling to extract insights and drive decision‑making.
• Explore and evaluate Generative AI applications, including prompt engineering, fine‑tuning, and safety alignment using tools like Gemini, Claude, and OpenAI APIs.
• Design agentic AI systems that integrate autonomous decision‑making and multi‑agent collaboration, contributing to next‑gen banking solutions.
• Innovate on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), scaling from experimentation to production.
• Learn to deliver AI in an ethical and responsible way, understanding AI risks, bias mitigation, explainability, and governance frameworks.

Your Skills Toolkit:

• Programming languages like Python
• Machine learning techniques and theory
• Generative and Agentic AI
• AI Solution design and evaluation techniques
• Cloud platforms like GCP
• CI/CD, DevOps and software engineering
• Data analysis, modelling and strategic design
• Business and commercial insights

Your multi‑week AI power‑up: We start with a blended learning bootcamp. Your fast track from fundamental concepts to advanced technologies and AI skills (and your chance to learn a few tricks even the bots don’t know yet).

You’ll Cover:

• Foundations of machine learning
• AI literacy
• Ensemble methods & model optimisation
• Databases & big data
• Neural networks & deep learning
• LLM foundations, engineering, customisation and integration
• MLOps & cloud computing

Learn it. Apply it. Keep going: It’s all live lectures, tutor‑led group work and real‑world challenges from day one.

Your Personal Learning Plan Could Include:

• Up to three Stanford Artificial Intelligence Professional Programmes
• Google Cloud certifications
• Coursera courses on everything from advanced ML to AI ethics and explainability

The team in your corner:

• A dedicated mentor
• A buddy who’s been through it before
• A close‑knit community of data professionals who speak fluent Python… and coffee, naturally

Your future. Fully funded: You’ll earn a good salary while mastering the skills shaping the future of tech and finance. Training? Bootcamp? Certifications? All on us. By the end, you’ll have the technical confidence, strategic mindset and industry know‑how to take your career wherever you want – from deep technical roles to AI strategy leadership… or even inventing the next big thing that no-one has thought of yet.

Requirements: While we do not require a set minimum degree achievement, we strongly recommend the ability to be able to demonstrate sound knowledge, understanding and technical skills aligned to the role. Some aspects of this will be assessed through the application process. We encourage all students to apply, from newly graduated through to MSc/PhD. Note: we cannot sponsor visas. Knowledge of analytical techniques and experience in manipulating and deriving insight from data. Python coding experience, knowledge of SQL and the ability to use statistical modelling techniques as this will form a part of the assessments.

Locations: Bristol, Edinburgh, Halifax, Leeds, London, Manchester. You will be expected to work in your allocated office a minimum of two days a week as part of our hybrid working policy.

Opening and Closing Date: Applications for our Data Science & AI Graduate Scheme opens on 24th September 2025. Apply soon as our programmes may close early if we receive a high number of applications.

How To Apply: Our application process is designed to help you shine. We want everyone to feel they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity, or culture. Find details, including stages and tips for success, on our how to apply page.