Python Job: Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, your role will involve speaking to stakeholders to evaluate requirements for data science projects, preparing data and evaluating modelling approaches, developing machine learning models and collaborating with engineers in deploying and maintaining them. Previous data science experience is desirable but not essential; we are more interested in your willingness and ability to learn, communication skills and ability to take initiative and work effectively in a team.

You will work in cross-functional teams alongside Product, Editorial, Software/Data Engineers and other Data Scientists. We value learning and create a supportive environment for people to follow their interests and develop personally and professionally, through structured training and on-the-job experience.

You'll be joining at an exciting time, as the BBC becomes digital-first and places more emphasis on its online products than ever before. Our team will be crucial in this process and the projects you work on will have an enormous impact, such as using ML to make our content creation more data-driven, or building audience-facing recommendations that enrich the experience of millions of people.

This is what you'll need to be successful in this role:

• Demonstrable interest in data science and a keen enthusiasm for learning
• Experience working on technical projects involving coding, preferably as part of a team
• Typically holds an advanced degree in mathematics, statistics or computer science or related field, or equivalent experience
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable ability to quickly understand new concepts and think of original solutions to novel problems
• Knowledge of one or more business/functional areas

It would be great if you also had the following skills/experience:

• Statistical modelling and analysis experience in either Python or R
• Experience in the use of statistical packages and machine learning algorithms
• Interest in the public service mission of the BBC
• Broadcast, production, start-up or media experience
• A mix of public sector and commercial experience
• Successful academic background in your specialist discipline

The interview process for this role will be:

1st stage - 30 minute call with our Lead Data Scientist

2md stage - 1h 30 min video call where we'll ask you to present on past project or piece of work. We'll also ask questions on technical competency, cultural fit and leave plenty of time for your questions too!

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here

Band: C
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Role can be based in Salford or London

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

• Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
• Benefits- We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.