Data Science Lead – 12 month FTC

Data Science Lead – 12 month FTC

Temporary 60000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
University of Strathclyde

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented Data Science team to deliver impactful analytics solutions.
  • Company: Join Unite Students, the UK's leading provider of student accommodation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, generous holiday, and health benefits.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse culture that values inclusion and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Shape data strategies and drive innovation in a collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in data science, machine learning, and team leadership.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.

The Role

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity to lead the Data Science team within the Data & Insight function.

We`re looking for an experienced Data Science Lead to join our Data & Insight function and help shape how we use data to make smarter, evidence-based decisions.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a talented team of Data Scientists and Analysts while delivering high-impact analytics solutions that influence strategic decisions across the organisation.

You`ll combine technical expertise, leadership and commercial thinking to identify opportunities where data science can create real value ?” from improving customer insight and optimising performance to automating processes and supporting future growth.

Reporting to the Senior Analytics Manager, you`ll play a key role in developing our data science capability, championing innovation, and embedding advanced analytics into the way we operate.

This role will be based in the Bristol office.

  • What You`ll Be Doing
  • Lead and inspire a team of Data Scientists and Analysts, creating a collaborative environment where people can develop, innovate and deliver their best work.
  • Shape our data science strategy, identifying opportunities where AI, machine learning and advanced analytics can solve business challenges and improve performance.
  • Develop practical, scalable solutions using techniques such as machine learning, forecasting, clustering and predictive analytics.
  • Turn complex data into actionable insights, helping senior stakeholders make informed decisions.
  • Partner with teams across the business, translating business challenges into analytical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.
  • Work closely with Data Engineering and Business Intelligence teams to productionise models and embed analytics into everyday decision-making.
  • Champion innovation in AI and analytics, keeping us ahead of emerging trends and encouraging best practice across the business.
  • Support the wider analytics community, sharing knowledge and mentoring analysts across the organisation.
  • What We`re Looking For In You
  • Proven experience using data science, advanced analytics and statistical techniques to solve real business problems.
  • Experience developing and applying machine learning models, AI solutions and predictive analytics.
  • Strong technical skills across tools such as Python, SQL, R, Databricks, Tableau and Power BI.
  • Experience leading, coaching or mentoring analysts and building high-performing teams.
  • The ability to take complex analysis and communicate clear recommendations to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify opportunities where data can create meaningful impact.
  • Experience working with large, complex datasets from multiple sources, including data warehouses, data lakes or cloud platforms.
  • A passion for innovation, continuous learning and staying at the forefront of data science and AI.
  • What You`ll Get in Return
  • A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
  • 25 days` paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
  • A generous pension scheme – employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
  • Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
  • Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
  • Lots of other great benefits including an annual Share Save scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!
  • About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation.

You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home!

We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion.

We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students.

Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams.

We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong.

We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people.

Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar.

Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.

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Data Science Lead – 12 month FTC employer: University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde offers an inspiring work environment at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of our mission. Employees benefit from a strong commitment to professional development, a supportive culture that values diverse perspectives, and the chance to make a significant impact on the future of manufacturing in Scotland. Join us to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to driving meaningful change in the industry.

University of Strathclyde

Contact Details:

University of Strathclyde Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Data Science Lead – 12 month FTC

Tap into Online Data Science Communities

Join online communities focused on data science like Kaggle, LinkedIn groups, or Reddit threads. These are goldmines for temporary gigs, as you can network with professionals and potentially hear about opportunities at companies like University of Strathclyde before they're even advertised!

Show Off Your Skills With Projects

Got some cool data science projects? Showcase them on platforms like GitHub or create a personal portfolio website. This visibility is crucial for landing temporary roles—let recruiters see your actual skills in action, which can set you apart from the crowd.

Check Out Specialist Job Boards

For temp roles, hit up job boards dedicated to tech and data science, like Stack Overflow Jobs or DataJobs. These platforms often feature openings that you won’t find on general job sites, including contracts with companies like University of Strathclyde.

Leverage University Resources

If you're currently at uni or recently graduated, tap into your school's career services. They often have connections with companies looking for temporary data science interns or contract workers, and they might even host job fairs with employers like University of Strathclyde.

We think you need these skills to ace Data Science Lead – 12 month FTC

Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
SQL
Python
Automation
Attention to Detail
Data Engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at University of Strathclyde, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.

Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!

Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to University of Strathclyde, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.

Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab University of Strathclyde’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.

How to prepare for a job interview at University of Strathclyde

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at University of Strathclyde.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at University of Strathclyde.

Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work

Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at University of Strathclyde.