Principal Data Scientist in London

Principal Data Scientist in London

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead advanced pricing optimisation and experimentation to solve complex problems.
  • Company: Join World of Books, a mission-driven B-Corp focused on sustainable reading.
  • Benefits: Work on meaningful projects with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real-world impact while shaping data science practices at scale.
  • Qualifications: Deep experience in data science, expert in Python and SQL, strong statistical knowledge.
  • Other info: No line management, true influence in a growing organisation.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Β£ per year.

At World of Books, we are on a mission to become the Planet's Bookstore β€” helping people read more while wasting less. As a certified B-Corp and a Β£200m+ global ecommerce business, data science sits at the heart of how we price millions of books sustainably and profitably.

We are now looking for a Principal Data Scientist to play a critical technical leadership role in shaping how advanced modelling and experimentation are applied to pricing at scale.

The Role

This is a senior individual contributor role (no people management), focused on solving complex, high-impact pricing problems through experimentation, causal inference and applied machine learning. You will work closely with our Data Science Manager, engineers and commercial leaders, acting as a technical authority and mentor while remaining hands-on.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Leading advanced pricing optimisation, elasticity modelling and experimentation
  • Designing and evaluating A/B tests, bandits and quasi-experiments
  • Building and deploying production-grade models with strong observability
  • Setting practical standards for modelling, experimentation and DS workflows
  • Mentoring senior and mid-level data scientists through review and example
  • Advising stakeholders on trade-offs between rigour, speed and business value
  • Identifying future high-value data science use cases beyond pricing

What We’re Looking For

  • Deep experience applying data science in commercial environments (pricing, ecommerce or marketplaces ideal)
  • Expert Python and strong SQL
  • Advanced knowledge of statistics, ML and causal inference
  • Proven experience deploying and iterating on models in production
  • Ability to influence through expertise and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders
  • Pragmatic, outcome-focused mindset with comfort in ambiguity

Why Join World of Books?

  • Work on meaningful, planet-positive problems at global scale
  • A true Principal IC role with influence but no line management
  • Partner closely with an experienced DS Manager who owns strategy and prioritisation
  • Help shape how data science is practised in a growing, evolving organisation
  • Be part of a mission-driven, collaborative and inclusive culture

Interested? If you are a senior data scientist who thrives on complex problems, hands-on technical leadership and real-world impact β€” we would love to hear from you. World of Books is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

Principal Data Scientist in London employer: World of Books Group

At World of Books, we pride ourselves on being a mission-driven employer that empowers our employees to tackle meaningful, planet-positive challenges in the world of ecommerce. Our collaborative and inclusive culture fosters professional growth, allowing you to influence data science practices while working alongside experienced leaders in a dynamic environment. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable pricing strategies and enjoy the benefits of a role that offers both technical leadership and hands-on impact.
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Contact Detail:

World of Books Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data science field, especially those who work at World of Books or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those related to pricing optimisation and machine learning. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.

✨Tip Number 3

Get ready for technical interviews! Brush up on your Python, SQL, and statistics knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your approach to A/B testing and model deployment, as these are key aspects of the Principal Data Scientist role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission to make reading more sustainable.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist in London

Advanced Pricing Optimisation
Elasticity Modelling
Experimentation
A/B Testing
Bandits
Quasi-Experiments
Production-Grade Model Deployment
Observability in Models
Mentoring Data Scientists
Stakeholder Communication
Python
SQL
Statistics
Machine Learning
Causal Inference

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Principal Data Scientist. Highlight your experience in pricing optimisation and data science in commercial environments. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data science and how you can contribute to our goal of becoming the Planet's Bookstore. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your expertise in Python, SQL, and machine learning. We’re looking for someone who can lead advanced modelling and experimentation, so make sure we see that in your application!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at World of Books Group

✨Know Your Data Science Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your advanced modelling techniques, especially around pricing optimisation and causal inference. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical authority.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to dive deep into Python and SQL during the interview. Practise coding challenges and be prepared to explain your thought process clearly. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Think of examples where you've tackled complex pricing problems or led A/B tests. Be ready to discuss the methodologies you used and the outcomes achieved. This will highlight your pragmatic, outcome-focused mindset that the company values.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since you'll be advising stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've influenced decisions in previous roles. Think about how you can communicate trade-offs between rigour and speed, as this will showcase your ability to navigate ambiguity and drive business value.

Principal Data Scientist in London
World of Books Group
Location: London

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