Python Job: Data Scientist and Data Science Researcher

About Us

We are GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of communications to make a real difference to the safety of the nation. We work closely with our partners in the intelligence community to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from threats such as serious organised crime, people and drugs trafficking, terrorism, and cyber-attacks.

We offer a strong work-life balance & benefits, training and certifications and we are remote-working friendly. Our culture is centred on embracing a growth mindset, equality and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day.

We believe diverse teams really are the best teams, so, if you are excited about working with us and think you can do much of what we are looking for but aren’t sure if you are 100% there yet... why not just give it a go!

We’re currently recruiting talented Data Scientists and Researchers at different levels to join our diverse team. You’ll be working alongside world class professionals in their field who are tackling complex and interesting real world problems that you just won’t find anywhere else.

Apply your academic skills or knowledge whilst continuing to learn and grow through an inclusive collaboration of intellectual minds. Exploring your academic outer limits, technical creativity is at the heart of what we do. You’ll be innovating and creating new techniques where none exist and implementing those techniques in a real-world context.

If you’re looking for a unique, challenging yet extremely rewarding opportunity to implement your technical creativity and continued academic research then we’re looking for you.

Data Scientist Requirements

You will be operating on mission-critical systems, you’ll work closely with specialists using your knowledge and experience to contribute to the creation of scalable artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science capabilities.

You’ll assess communications, collaborate in research and pioneer the next generation of such capabilities. Some positions will involve leading teams by delivering consistent and relevant messages to all and informing strategy. A positive team player, you’ll be supportive and active in creating an environment that embraces difference and capitalises on that advantage.

• Knowledge of or/and experience working in either Data Science or software engineering and talking to experts in both fields.
• Knowledge of machine learning training, deployment, and maintenance.
• An understanding of exploratory data analysis, statistical reasoning, communicating about data, and data-driven decision making.
• Familiarity with modern software engineering best practices (e.g. agile) and understand how they could be applied to data science projects.
• The technical knowledge to take a prototype ML capability (e.g., in a Jupyter notebook) and build it into a functional system component.
• Proficiency with essential technologies including but not limited to – Python, R, Kubernetes, Docker, JavaScript, Java.
• Familiarity with other useful technologies- ELK, AWS would be beneficial.

Data Science Researcher Requirements

We are looking for talented researchers to help us stay at the cutting edge of data science, machine learning and AI. We have positions available to match a range of experience levels, but you will have a strong background in one or more Data Science disciplines. You’ll be using your technical expertise to develop new approaches to complex problems that you won’t find anywhere else. With a diverse set of customers from across our mission no two projects are the same and you’ll be delivering high-quality research either individually or as part of a team. You’ll work closely with other agencies, organisations, and commercial partners; as well as working with organisations that contribute to our corporate social responsibility agenda which may include the environment and inspiring future generations. A positive team player, you’ll help to build a diverse, supportive and effective Data Science Research community.

• Experience working in artificial intelligence, machine learning or data science in a research capacity.
• A deep understanding of one or more relevant technologies, e.g neural networks, statistical methods etc.
• The ability to solve complex problems, both through personal research and leadership of research teams.
• Experience working with academia, implementing and building on published research.
• Proficiency with essential technologies, ideally Python and common data science libraries, e.g. PyTorch.
• The ability to work with customers to turn research into mission applications and identify new opportunities for research.

Roles

Lead Data Scientist or Lead Data Science Researcher

You will have significant experience and expertise in the field of research. You will lead multiple projects and teams to provide technical leadership whilst collaborating with internal and external partners. You will typically have a relevant degree and post graduate experience or have equivalent professional experience in a relevant research field. You will be working with both Internal & external Stakeholders within the organisation as well as across Academia, other organisations and end users. You will have line management experience for a wider multidisciplined team/teams, you will have both the aptitude and passion for passing on knowledge and developing and mentoring others.

Senior Data Scientist or Senior Data Science Researcher

You will have hands on practical experience of applying in depth knowledge and skills and will likely have lead small research projects and task based work. You will typically have a relevant data science degree and post graduate experience or you will have equivalent professional experience in a relevant field. You will have experience of working with researchers in Academia, and other end users as well as experience of collaboration with both internal and external partners. You will be expected to provide line management and support for a small number of Researchers.

Data Scientist or Data Science Researcher

Key to these roles are a willingness to learn and pick up new skills in technical fields. You will be fully supported and guided by senior researchers to work on and contribute to defined research projects. You will typically have a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience within the Data Science field. You will be working with peers and superiors both within your immediate team and across an aligned skill group. You will work closely with other researchers and end users. There will be no expectation of line management within this role instead the focus will be on your own personal and professional development.

Training and Development

At GCHQ, we’re proud to offer an inclusive and supportive working environment that encourages open minds and attitudes. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. You’re not expected to come to us with a wealth of knowledge or skills on day one. We value your ability to learn and adapt to new challenges, we’ll invest in your skills and the way you like to learn, from books, study, courses, and conferences to stretching work with support of the team. We’ll support and encourage you, helping you to master the art of software and become part of our world-class engineering team.

On top of your starting salary you will receive other benefits including:

• 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
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Culture and Working Environment

As part of our team, you’ll discover an inclusive workplace that’s welcoming, supportive and encouraging. You’ll be part of an organisation where people want to support one another and make a difference. Aside from fostering an open culture, we’ve got a range of growing affinity groups.

For example:

• Ethnic Minority and gender equality networks.
• Groups supporting wellbeing, mental health, neurodiversity, and disability.
• Faith/No Faith communities for staff to come together.
• LGBTQ+ support networks.

You’ll also find a variety of sports, activity, interest, and social groups to help you settle in and connect with people with similar interests.

Before You Apply to work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen. We do have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Honesty and integrity are really important if you want to work at GCHQ. Take some time to read about the vetting process and make sure you meet the criteria in the vetting pages of the ‘How to Apply’ section. The process can take some time, but this is just because it’s thorough. Giving misleading information and omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously.

The role is based in Cheltenham or Manchester, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance of these locations. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before applying.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.

Equal Opportunities

At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.

We’re Disability Confident

GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview where practicable; this is known as ‘Offer of an Interview’.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet our nationality, residency, and security requirements, you can find more details here.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. One of your parents must be a British Citizen or must have the nationality or citizenship from our approved list of countries here. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. (for more info link here). Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Once you have completed your application, should you meet the eligibility criteria and are suitable for the role you will be invited for an interview. Due to COVID 19 many of our interviews are being conducted online.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process 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.

Our Vetting

To work in this role, you will need the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community must go through and it can take some time. As part of the DV process you will be asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire and attend an interview with a vetting officer. In your interview the vetting officer will have a thorough, compassionate, and honest discussion with you about you as a person and your life experiences, to ensure holding a DV clearance is right for you. You don’t need to do any preparation for your vetting interview, just be honest and be yourself. All applicants for DV are treated impartially and consistently, irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics.