7957 - Principle Data Scientist
- Ministry of Justice
- Jul 27, 2025
Full time
I.T. & Communications
Job Description
The national salary range is £56,532- £64,048, London salary range is £61,201 - £69,338. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
04-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7957
Descriptions & requirements Location: National
Closing Date: 4 th August 2025
Interviews: w/c 1 st September 2025
Grade: Grade 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
£56532 - £73450 National (which may include an allowance of up to £16918)
£61201 - £78225 London (which may include an allowance of up to £17024)
Working pattern : full-time, part-time, flexible working,
Contract Type: Permanent
We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role We're recruiting for a Principle Data Scientist here at the Ministry of Justice , to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Science and AI Hub.
The Ministry of Justice is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis.
The Data Science & AI Hub
We are a multi-disciplinary team of around 70 staff that sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice providing data science support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice. Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking.
We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration and putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.
We have a track record of delivering digital services to front line staff using wide ranging data science techniques, including the award-winning safety diagnostic tool, which helps our staff tackle violence in prisons. We regularly deliver insights that directly influences corporate, operational and policy decisions. Our projects span the data science spectrum including machine learning, natural language processing, automation, advanced visualisation and optimisation.
What you'll do
You will be leading a team of 1-2 data scientists, working within wider multidisciplinary teams, to deliver data science products and analysis. The majority of projects will be conducted using Python, R and SQL on our AWS cloud infrastructure (known as the Analytical Platform ) to work with data from across the justice system. You will work closely with other data scientists, the Data Engineering Hub (which builds the tools, services and pipelines that make data available on the Analytical Platform) as well as other data, digital, policy and operational colleagues.
The role
37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings' birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
Technical - Data science skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview held via video conference. At the interview you will be asked to give a five-minute presentation on a data science project you have delivered. Details of this will be sent to candidates before the interview.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on strong knowledge of data science (e.g. machine learning and natural language processing) and experience leading teams to deliver data science projects / products, ideally in cloud computing environments will be conducted before the sift.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
How to Apply Candidates must submit an anonymised CV and personal statement (you will not be considered if you do not provide both)
Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. Consider giving an example for each bullet point and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one.
All the listed requirements are important for the job, however we do not expect candidates to be an expert in all of them . click apply for full job details
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
04-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7957
Descriptions & requirements Location: National
Closing Date: 4 th August 2025
Interviews: w/c 1 st September 2025
Grade: Grade 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
£56532 - £73450 National (which may include an allowance of up to £16918)
£61201 - £78225 London (which may include an allowance of up to £17024)
Working pattern : full-time, part-time, flexible working,
Contract Type: Permanent
We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role We're recruiting for a Principle Data Scientist here at the Ministry of Justice , to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Science and AI Hub.
The Ministry of Justice is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis.
The Data Science & AI Hub
We are a multi-disciplinary team of around 70 staff that sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice providing data science support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice. Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking.
We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration and putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.
We have a track record of delivering digital services to front line staff using wide ranging data science techniques, including the award-winning safety diagnostic tool, which helps our staff tackle violence in prisons. We regularly deliver insights that directly influences corporate, operational and policy decisions. Our projects span the data science spectrum including machine learning, natural language processing, automation, advanced visualisation and optimisation.
What you'll do
You will be leading a team of 1-2 data scientists, working within wider multidisciplinary teams, to deliver data science products and analysis. The majority of projects will be conducted using Python, R and SQL on our AWS cloud infrastructure (known as the Analytical Platform ) to work with data from across the justice system. You will work closely with other data scientists, the Data Engineering Hub (which builds the tools, services and pipelines that make data available on the Analytical Platform) as well as other data, digital, policy and operational colleagues.
The role
- The postholder will lead a team within the Courts, ALBs, Corporate, and Linking Data Science unit.
- They will be responsible for undertaking a variety of data science projects across the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). This role involves collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including other data scientists, data engineers, and digital colleagues.
- Projects vary in nature and scope, encompassing both leading data-driven initiatives and being embedded within digital teams. Recent examples include developing search and summary tools for legislation, creating a redaction tool to support Subject Access Request (SAR) processes, and utilising machine learning and data linking to gain insights into criminal fine enforcement.
- As the Principal Data Scientist on the team, you will work with new data sources and apply advanced data science techniques to support the department's ambitious goals. Your expertise will be crucial in harnessing the latest advancements in data science to drive innovation and improve outcomes across the MoJ.
- Lead a team of 1-2 data scientists to deliver data science products and analysis across the criminal justice system
- Act as a technical specialist and coach, developing team capability, supervising other data scientists, setting coding standards for the team and championing the adoption of best practice in data science
- Understand a broad range of architectures and collaborate with data engineering to design and deliver organisational products effectively
- Effectively communicate with and influence senior stakeholders, working with them to remove blockers so that the team can deliver efficiently
- Play an active role in making the Data Science Hub an inclusive and vibrant place to work.
37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings' birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
- Strong knowledge of data science (e.g. machine learning and natural language processing) and experience leading teams to deliver data science projects / products, ideally in cloud computing environments
- Strong programming knowledge and experience delivering projects using Python
- Strong strategic thinking and problem solving to support organisational objectives, with ability to identify opportunities for data science and promote adoption and learning of new tools and techniques
- A track record of developing strong quality assurance, including producing robust and reproducible analysis using modern version control software.
- Ability to effectively communicate with and influence diverse stakeholder groups to deliver data science projects / products, including being able to explain data concepts and practices to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Changing & improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a quality service
Technical - Data science skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- data science expertise
- working practices
- programming and coding skills
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview held via video conference. At the interview you will be asked to give a five-minute presentation on a data science project you have delivered. Details of this will be sent to candidates before the interview.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on strong knowledge of data science (e.g. machine learning and natural language processing) and experience leading teams to deliver data science projects / products, ideally in cloud computing environments will be conducted before the sift.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
How to Apply Candidates must submit an anonymised CV and personal statement (you will not be considered if you do not provide both)
Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. Consider giving an example for each bullet point and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one.
All the listed requirements are important for the job, however we do not expect candidates to be an expert in all of them . click apply for full job details
About Ministry of Justice