Associate Data Scientist Ref. 3443
Posted 2 days 10 hours ago by MI5
Permanent
Part Time
Other
London, United Kingdom
Job Description
Flexible Working: Due to the sensitive nature of the role, there are minimal opportunities for home working. However, we know how important a good work/life balance is, which is why it's likely to be possible to work from home one day a week. We also offer part-time (minimum 3 days) and compressed hours, agreed on a case-by-case basis.
About Us
We're MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service, or SIS. Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The Role
Our diverse team of data scientists use their skills to support MI6's work. Which makes them critical to our mission, and those of our partners and allies. Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking for your next role in a supportive environment, our team offers opportunities to grow your skills and build a long-term career in data science.
As an Associate Data Scientist, you'll work on a variety of interesting projects, gathering data from a wide range of sources spanning our organisation, and maybe even our partners. Bringing new ideas, a different approach and your unique perspective, you'll do vital work that you won't find anywhere else. But that doesn't mean you'll be left on your own. From day one, we'll buddy you up with a mentor to guide you, help you to settle and develop your skills.
The sensitive nature of our work means that we unfortunately can't go into too much detail here about what we get up to. But rest assured that you'll be applying yourself to some of the hardest and most interesting data problems in the world.
AI and Machine Learning are changing the way everyone is thinking about data - and MI6 is no exception. You'll help us to apply these technologies robustly, securely, and at scale. You'll also apply rigorous techniques to extract knowledge and insights from noisy, structured and unstructured data. Working with technical and non-technical customers, you'll use a range of data analysis tools and techniques to explore and present the 'story' of data in a meaningful way to help them to make proportionate, evidence-based decisions. You'll build credible statistical models from the data and use best coding practices to generate reproducible work as well as working with policy and operations to understand where data science can add value. And supporting strategic and operational decision making to create impact.
Given our international role, there are occasional opportunities for overseas travel, if this is something you are interested in. Work with partners in the UK is more common, and may require overnight trips from time to time.
About You
In our organisation, we use the cross-Government Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) Data Science capability framework to define our technology roles. More details on this framework can be found online here: Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework This role maps to the "Associate Data Scientist" level against this framework. At this stage of your career, we don't expect you to perfectly align with our framework - don't self-censor if you don't meet all the criteria.
We're interested in curious, numerate candidates who have demonstrated their ability to learn new technologies and programming languages - adaptability is a key skill we would like to see evidenced. You'll also be able to evidence of programming skills.
Comfortable working as part of a team to solve problems, you'll be able to explain technical concepts to a varied audience, including non-technical customers. A lifelong learner, you have a keen appetite to learn and develop within data science. And you're able to learn new ideas and techniques to apply them in different settings.
Your experience would ideally demonstrate that you've applied a range of data science techniques before (e.g. statistical analysis, machine learning, programming, etc.). For example, one way of evidencing this is with a degree in a STEM subject, but you may have demonstrated similar experience in the workplace or in your own time.
Training and Development
You'll have plenty of opportunities for development in-post, and will operate as part of a supportive team with plenty of supervision to make sure you're adequately supported as you grow.
The wide variety of projects you work on will ensure you're continually developing your skills and acquiring new ones. A proportion of your time will be co-ordinated as part of the team's combined effort, but a significant proportion of your time will be spent performing learning and development, innovative research, or pioneering new projects or new ways of working with internal customers.
There are a range of different training programmes available covering both more technical subjects and softer professional skills. There is also likely to be opportunity to develop more niche skills specific to our organisation's mission.
We offer generous learning and development to promote continuous learning - if you find a course or qualification relevant to your role, it's highly likely you'll be enrolled. There are also opportunities to attain AWS certifications, Accredited DDaT Data Science Skills during the role.
The first six months of your time with us will be an intensive introduction to our data science and related teams. You'll embark on a range of projects and tasks designed to get you up to speed with our underpinning technologies, data sources, and collaborative ways of working. This will be tailored to your existing experience to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to hit the ground running and make a meaningful impact from day one.
And when it comes to your future, there are clearly defined career development pathways - several of our current Senior Data Scientists started as Associate Data Scientists - so you know exactly what you need to further your career.
In addition to your line manager, you'll work as part of a welcoming team who will make sure you settle in well. You'll also have the opportunity to meet other individuals at a similar stage in their careers across the intelligence community.
Rewards and Benefits
You'll receive a starting salary of £48,564 plus other benefits including:
There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best, see our website for information on the reasonable adjustments we can offer.
We're Disability Confident
MI6 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 offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our 'Offer of Interview' (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
1. Applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices
2. Programming and build (Data Science)
3. Data science innovation
Please note . click apply for full job details
About Us
We're MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service, or SIS. Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The Role
Our diverse team of data scientists use their skills to support MI6's work. Which makes them critical to our mission, and those of our partners and allies. Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking for your next role in a supportive environment, our team offers opportunities to grow your skills and build a long-term career in data science.
As an Associate Data Scientist, you'll work on a variety of interesting projects, gathering data from a wide range of sources spanning our organisation, and maybe even our partners. Bringing new ideas, a different approach and your unique perspective, you'll do vital work that you won't find anywhere else. But that doesn't mean you'll be left on your own. From day one, we'll buddy you up with a mentor to guide you, help you to settle and develop your skills.
The sensitive nature of our work means that we unfortunately can't go into too much detail here about what we get up to. But rest assured that you'll be applying yourself to some of the hardest and most interesting data problems in the world.
AI and Machine Learning are changing the way everyone is thinking about data - and MI6 is no exception. You'll help us to apply these technologies robustly, securely, and at scale. You'll also apply rigorous techniques to extract knowledge and insights from noisy, structured and unstructured data. Working with technical and non-technical customers, you'll use a range of data analysis tools and techniques to explore and present the 'story' of data in a meaningful way to help them to make proportionate, evidence-based decisions. You'll build credible statistical models from the data and use best coding practices to generate reproducible work as well as working with policy and operations to understand where data science can add value. And supporting strategic and operational decision making to create impact.
Given our international role, there are occasional opportunities for overseas travel, if this is something you are interested in. Work with partners in the UK is more common, and may require overnight trips from time to time.
About You
In our organisation, we use the cross-Government Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) Data Science capability framework to define our technology roles. More details on this framework can be found online here: Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework This role maps to the "Associate Data Scientist" level against this framework. At this stage of your career, we don't expect you to perfectly align with our framework - don't self-censor if you don't meet all the criteria.
We're interested in curious, numerate candidates who have demonstrated their ability to learn new technologies and programming languages - adaptability is a key skill we would like to see evidenced. You'll also be able to evidence of programming skills.
Comfortable working as part of a team to solve problems, you'll be able to explain technical concepts to a varied audience, including non-technical customers. A lifelong learner, you have a keen appetite to learn and develop within data science. And you're able to learn new ideas and techniques to apply them in different settings.
Your experience would ideally demonstrate that you've applied a range of data science techniques before (e.g. statistical analysis, machine learning, programming, etc.). For example, one way of evidencing this is with a degree in a STEM subject, but you may have demonstrated similar experience in the workplace or in your own time.
Training and Development
You'll have plenty of opportunities for development in-post, and will operate as part of a supportive team with plenty of supervision to make sure you're adequately supported as you grow.
The wide variety of projects you work on will ensure you're continually developing your skills and acquiring new ones. A proportion of your time will be co-ordinated as part of the team's combined effort, but a significant proportion of your time will be spent performing learning and development, innovative research, or pioneering new projects or new ways of working with internal customers.
There are a range of different training programmes available covering both more technical subjects and softer professional skills. There is also likely to be opportunity to develop more niche skills specific to our organisation's mission.
We offer generous learning and development to promote continuous learning - if you find a course or qualification relevant to your role, it's highly likely you'll be enrolled. There are also opportunities to attain AWS certifications, Accredited DDaT Data Science Skills during the role.
The first six months of your time with us will be an intensive introduction to our data science and related teams. You'll embark on a range of projects and tasks designed to get you up to speed with our underpinning technologies, data sources, and collaborative ways of working. This will be tailored to your existing experience to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to hit the ground running and make a meaningful impact from day one.
And when it comes to your future, there are clearly defined career development pathways - several of our current Senior Data Scientists started as Associate Data Scientists - so you know exactly what you need to further your career.
In addition to your line manager, you'll work as part of a welcoming team who will make sure you settle in well. You'll also have the opportunity to meet other individuals at a similar stage in their careers across the intelligence community.
Rewards and Benefits
You'll receive a starting salary of £48,564 plus 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
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
- Paid parental and adoption leave
There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best, see our website for information on the reasonable adjustments we can offer.
We're Disability Confident
MI6 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 offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our 'Offer of Interview' (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- Demonstrate an interest and aptitude for developing code that could enable you to perform data science (assessed at application sift)
- Demonstrate the ability to reason logically about a complex problem and identify how data and data science could aid in solving it (assessed at application sift)
- Demonstrate the ability to work with others to solve a technical problem (assessed at application sift)
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- You'll be invited to upload your CV and complete an online application form
- If you pass, you'll be invited to an interview where you will be asked questions relating to your motivation and our core competencies
- If you pass, you'll be invited to a technical skill-based interview based on the Digital Data and Technology Capability Framework for the role
1. Applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices
2. Programming and build (Data Science)
3. Data science innovation
Please note . click apply for full job details