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- Tasks: Use data science to enhance automation and AI in a major government department.
- Company: Join DWP Digital, a leader in digital transformation and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible hours, and great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on services used by thousands and millions of citizens.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience with machine learning techniques required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 44447 - 57367 £ per year.
Pay up to £57,367, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work‑life balance.
Are you a data scientist who wants your work to have real impact in helping prepare a major government department for the future of automation and AI? As a Data Scientist in DWP Digital, you'll work on automation and AI‑driven enhancements within the ServiceNow platform, including the Virtual Agent – our conversational interface that helps colleagues get support quickly through automated chat – used by around 120,000 colleagues. You'll use machine learning, analytics and data engineering skills to solve complex problems, reduce manual effort, and directly influence how services perform at scale.
This role offers a unique blend of hands‑on modelling and experimentation with collaboration alongside a variety of teams and departments. You'll own and deliver data science projects, identify actionable insights, and shape how the department adopts emerging AI capabilities.
The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Strong experience with Python (core programming language), along with common data science libraries such as Pandas, NumPy and SciKit-Learn
- Experience applying machine learning and AI techniques (classification, clustering or regression) to real problems, ensuring solutions are robust and meet the intended business outcome
- Familiarity with Jupyter / notebook workflows
- Ability to evaluate and prioritise improvement opportunities and plan changes that deliver measurable benefits
- Strong communication skills, able to translate complex analytical findings into clear, understandable messages for both technical and non‑technical audiences
- Knowledge of IT methodologies such as Agile, and experience working with multidisciplinary teams
- A degree or higher in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) is essential for this role, and evidence of qualification will be requested.
You and your role
As a Data Scientist you'll work at the heart of automation and AI transformation, with a core focus on improving the ServiceNow platform and its Virtual Agent capabilities. You'll use data to understand how colleagues interact with it, where conversations succeed or break down and how automation can take friction out of these journeys. You'll own and deliver projects that explore how machine learning, natural language processing and automation can streamline workflows while reducing manual effort at scale.
On a daily basis you will work closely with developers, product owners, researchers and designers to prototype and iterate solutions. Using tools such as Python, R, SQL, Jupyter and Power BI, you'll explore data, build and test models (within ServiceNow), and turn analytical findings into actionable insights that support better service design.
A key part of your role will be your approach understanding problems, shaping the approach, and presenting insight in a way that influences decisions. You'll help ensure our work adheres to privacy, security and ethical standards, and you'll contribute to building capability by promoting best practice in data science.
In this role you'll play a significant part in preparing DWP for future AI opportunities by shaping how emerging technologies are applied across services used by thousands of colleagues and millions of citizens. If you are naturally curious, collaborative and motivated by solving complex problems through evidence and experimentation then this could be for you.
Details
Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer pay of £44,447 to £57,367, based on our assessment of your capability.
Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £12,876 per year.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi‑time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work‑life balance which includes:
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest‑free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
And We Have An Award‑winning Environment And Culture
DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards.
Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024.
Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025.
Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards.
Process
We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:
- Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
- Interview: a single stage interview online.
Click APPLY for more information and to start your application.
Data Scientist in Leeds employer: Women In Tech
Contact Detail:
Women In Tech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DWP Digital on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you insights that make a real difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by brushing up on your Python skills and familiarising yourself with the latest in machine learning techniques. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in real-world scenarios, as this will show you're not just book-smart but also practical.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice explaining complex data science concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical folks, so being able to break down your work into digestible bits is key. Try explaining your projects to friends or family!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your collaborative spirit! DWP values teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you’ve worked with diverse teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to adapt and contribute will set you apart from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with Python and data science libraries like Pandas and NumPy. We want to see how you've applied machine learning techniques to real-world problems, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Keep It Clear and Concise: When you're explaining your analytical findings, remember to keep it simple. We love clear communication, so make sure even non-techies can understand the impact of your work. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible.
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the role. Mention how your skills align with our focus on automation and AI within the ServiceNow platform. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in what we do and how you can contribute.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you get all the latest updates about the process. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Women In Tech
✨Know Your Tech
Make sure you're well-versed in Python and the data science libraries mentioned in the job description, like Pandas and SciKit-Learn. Brush up on your machine learning techniques too, as you'll likely be asked to discuss how you've applied them to real-world problems.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about specific data science projects you've worked on. Highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and the impact your work had. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to deliver actionable insights.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex analytical findings in simple terms. You'll need to convey your insights to both technical and non-technical audiences, so being able to break down your work into understandable messages is key.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with others. Share examples of how you've worked alongside developers, product owners, or designers to achieve project goals.
