Lead Data Scientist in Newcastle upon Tyne

Lead Data Scientist in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of AI models for product discovery.
  • Company: Fast-growing early-stage AI company revolutionising product recommendations.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, equity options, and remote work flexibility.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI-driven product discovery and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in search, ranking, retrieval, or recommendation systems.
  • Other info: Collaborate closely with the founder and influence product direction.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ 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 Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Zazu Digital Talent

Join a dynamic early-stage AI company that is revolutionising product discovery through innovative intelligence solutions. As a Lead Data Scientist, you will enjoy a collaborative work culture that values your technical expertise and offers significant ownership of impactful projects. With competitive compensation, equity opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of AI-driven recommendations, this role provides a unique platform for professional growth and meaningful contributions in a rapidly evolving industry.
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Contact Detail:

Zazu Digital Talent Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Scientist in Newcastle upon Tyne

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects related to search, ranking, and retrieval systems. This hands-on evidence of your expertise can really set you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company's products and their tech stack. Understand how they use AI and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to see your passion and knowledge!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining us and being part of our exciting journey in shaping the future of product discovery.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Scientist in Newcastle upon Tyne

Search Systems
Ranking Algorithms
Retrieval Techniques
Recommendation Systems
Modelling Engine Architecture
Vector Representations
Semantic Representations
Entity Understanding
Graph-Based Relationships
Model Serving
Observability
Cost Optimisation
Latency Optimisation
Machine Learning Strategy
Experimentation Frameworks

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience in search, ranking, retrieval, and recommendation systems to show us you’re the right fit!

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 makes you the perfect candidate for this hands-on role. We want to see your personality come through!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Include specific examples of projects where you've designed and built systems related to ranking signals or model serving. We love seeing practical applications of your skills.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. Let’s get started on this journey together!

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 past experiences in these areas and how they relate to the role. We recommend preparing specific examples of projects you've worked on that showcase your technical skills and problem-solving abilities.

✨Understand the Company’s Vision

Dive deep into the company’s mission and the products they’re developing. Familiarise yourself with their approach to AI and how they aim to enhance product discovery. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in being part of their journey.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face some challenging technical questions during the interview. We suggest practising coding problems or system design scenarios related to data science. Being able to articulate your thought process clearly while solving these problems will impress your interviewers.

✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit

This role involves working closely with the founder and influencing product direction. Highlight your experience in collaborative environments and how you’ve successfully worked with cross-functional teams in the past. We believe showcasing your teamwork skills can set you apart from other candidates.

Lead Data Scientist in Newcastle upon Tyne
Zazu Digital Talent
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

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