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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advanced pricing optimisation and build production-grade models.
- Company: Join World of Books, a mission-driven B-Corp focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Work on meaningful projects with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while shaping data science practices.
- Qualifications: Deep experience in data science, expert in Python and SQL.
- Other info: No line management, just pure technical influence and mentorship.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At World of Books, we’re on a mission to become the Planet’s Bookstore — helping people read more while wasting less. As a certified B-Corp and a £200m+ global ecommerce business, data science sits at the heart of how we price millions of books sustainably and profitably.
We’re 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’ll 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’re a senior data scientist who thrives on complex problems, hands-on technical leadership and real-world impact — we’d 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 employer: World of Books
Contact Detail:
World of Books Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at World of Books on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your application noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with pricing optimisation and machine learning. Bring these along to interviews to demonstrate your hands-on expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss real-world applications. Think about how you've tackled complex data science problems in the past, especially in commercial settings. This will show you're not just theory but also practice.
✨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-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Scientist
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 at World of Books!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data science and how it can help us become the Planet’s Bookstore. Don’t forget to mention specific projects or experiences that showcase your expertise in machine learning and causal inference.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We’re looking for deep experience in Python and SQL, so make sure to highlight any relevant projects or achievements. If you’ve deployed models in production, tell us about it! We love seeing practical examples of your work.
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 out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our mission-driven team!
How to prepare for a job interview at World of Books
✨Know Your Data Science Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your data science fundamentals, especially around pricing optimisation and causal inference. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, showcasing how you've applied advanced modelling techniques in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Since the role requires expert Python and strong SQL skills, prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities. You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot, so practice coding challenges related to data manipulation and model deployment.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
This position involves advising senior stakeholders, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can convey the trade-offs between rigor and speed in your previous work, as this will show your ability to influence decisions.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to discuss how you would approach designing A/B tests or quasi-experiments. Prepare some examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past, focusing on your thought process and the outcomes of your experiments.
