Python Job: Data Scientist

Job added on

Company

MI5

Location

London, England - United Kingdom

Job type

Full-Time

Python Job Details

Details

Reference number

217536

Salary

£54,214

Grade

Higher Executive Officer
ST4

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Information Technology

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time

Number of posts

3

Contents

    Location

    About the job

    Benefits

    Things you need to know

    Apply and further information

Location

London, Manchester

About the job

Summary

Finding needles in haystacks is what we do.

We work with all sections of MI5, and you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from across the organisation and wider government, each with a unique problem to solve.

We work with data in a wide variety of formats and from a wealth of data sources and no two days here are the same. You can become proficient in the breadth of what we do: computer vision, natural language processing, network analysis and much more besides, or choose to specialise in other areas of interest.

Data Science (DS) forms a core part of MI5’s strategic approach to tackling the vast and complex data landscape. Data Scientists and Machine Learning (ML) Engineers in MI5 are responsible for developing new capabilities, to help analysts to handle the increasing volumes of data.

With senior sponsorship, our goal is to build a series of multi-disciplinary data science teams made up of Data Scientists and ML Engineers who are focussed on pushing science-based analytics and tools from concept and design through to build and production. This might take the form of strategic, longer-term R&D projects to create full-production, scalable and supported capabilities. In addition, there will be short-term, fast-paced tactical work in response to urgent investigations and operations.

Job description

Data Science is inherently a collaborative effort and thus our Data Scientists typically work in a multi-disciplinary team, working closely with other data scientists, subject matter experts and machine learning engineers. As a core part of this team, you will work with data science colleagues and Business Analysts to prioritise mission problems and manage them as collaborative capability projects. You will work closely with customer teams across MI5 to test and refine these tools and methods, and you will support decisions around how to deploy them to maximise their impact. You will work closely with Machine Learning Engineers and Software Engineers to turn these ideas into tools that the wider organisation can use operationally.
As the DS capability grows, there are an increasing range of exciting opportunities to get involved with including:
  • Working closely with our partners and customers via embedded Data Science teams, for example within operational or product teams.
  • Working closely with partners across government.
  • Helping to shape the organisation’s approach to adoption of AI, for example by focussing on AI ethics, or Green AI Principles.
  • Ownership over designing and establishing new ways of working pipelines and practices.

This role may involve both national and international travel in order to build the team’s partnerships with other government organisations.

Essential Skills

  • Knowledge and skills in one of the following areas – applied statistics, Machine Learning, graph theory, pattern analysis or related.
  • Coding experience in Python
  • Strong communication skills – especially being able to explain complex solutions to non-experts
  • Team working and collaboration

Desirable Skills

  • Data analysis skills
  • Comfortable working with large amounts of data or varying formats and types
  • Experience working in scientific research
  • Data visualisation
  • Agile ways of working
  • Tactical software development

This role is suited to individuals who demonstrate: sound problem solving and judgement; an ability to work as part of a team; and able to communicate in a variety of settings.

Responsibilities

As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, Data Scientists work closely with ML Engineers and other stakeholders to turn mission challenges into software solutions. Key responsibilities include:

  • Working with mission teams and analysts to identify North capability gaps, or potential capability enhancements and break them down into data science projects
  • Supporting the team to prioritise backlogs and proposed data science projects
  • Collaborating in small “sprint teams” of data scientists, working together to build components of data science capabilities
  • Working with Machine Learning Engineers, and our engineering branch to identify ways of scaling and deploying Data Science capabilities across North data to achieve operational impact.
  • Responding to requests for tactical data science from across North
  • Undertaking training for your own data science skill development.
  • Supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues
  • Optional line management responsibility for 1-2 staff members if this aligns to your development goals

Benefits

  • 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays.
  • Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
  • Personal Learning Budget.
  • Opportunities to work flexibly, subject to business needs
  • Interest-free season ticket loan
  • Excellent pension scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Facilities such as a subsidised gym and restaurant, and on-site coffee bars
  • Paid parental and adoption leave

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

  • You will be invited to upload your CV and complete an online application form along with a codility test
  • If you pass, you’ll be invited to an interview
  • If you pass, you’ll start our vetting process



Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process in order to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Recruitment team :

Further information

www.gov.uk/careers