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- Tasks: Lead the design and development of AI models for product discovery.
- Company: Fast-growing early-stage AI company revolutionising consumer brand interactions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, equity options, and a chance to shape the future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while working closely with the founder.
- Qualifications: Experience in search, ranking, retrieval, or recommendation systems required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with significant influence on product direction.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are working with a fast growing early stage company that is building a new intelligence layer for the next era of product discovery. With AI assistants becoming the first place consumers turn to for information and recommendations, brands need to understand how these systems interpret products, surface them and prioritise them across different conversational and search environments. This is exactly what this company solves.
They already partner with global consumer brands and now want to hire a Lead Data Scientist to architect and own the modelling engine that powers the platform. This is a hands-on role with serious technical ownership. You will design and build the systems that identify the signals that matter most for visibility, the retrieval and embedding architecture that feeds the models, the ranking and scoring framework that prioritises actions and the evaluation layer that measures how different LLMs behave across queries, surfaces and contexts.
You will work across ranking signals, vector and semantic representations, entity understanding, graph-based relationships, model serving, observability, cost and latency optimisation, and the connection between unstructured signals and automated recommendations. You will also help shape the long-term ML strategy, including platform design, experimentation frameworks and the future of the discovery engine.
This role suits someone who has experience in search, ranking, retrieval or recommendation systems at scale and who enjoys building practical production models rather than working in isolation. You will work closely with the founder and have real influence over the direction of the product and the future of the intelligence stack.
The package is strong and comes with a competitive base plus bonus and meaningful early-stage equity with genuine upside. If you are interested in joining a company at a stage where your work will directly shape the product, the system and the category, we would like to speak with you.
Lead Data Scientist in Leeds employer: Zazu Digital Talent
Contact Detail:
Zazu Digital Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with search, ranking, and retrieval systems. This will help you stand out during interviews and showcase your hands-on expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision! When you get an interview, think about how you can contribute to shaping the long-term ML strategy. Companies love candidates who can think big and align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our exciting journey in AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience with search, ranking, and retrieval systems, and don’t forget to showcase any hands-on projects that demonstrate your technical skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about AI and how your background aligns with our mission. Be specific about how you can contribute to shaping the product and the intelligence stack.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to mention any relevant tools or technologies you’ve worked with. We want to see your experience in building practical production models and your understanding of LLMs and ranking frameworks.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zazu Digital Talent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of search, ranking, retrieval, and recommendation systems. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've applied them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. This company is looking for someone who can architect and own the modelling engine, so demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and the role AI plays in product discovery. Show enthusiasm for their vision and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially in shaping the long-term ML strategy.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in model serving or cost optimisation, and how they envision the future of their intelligence stack. This will demonstrate your engagement and strategic thinking.
