Job Title: DE&S Data Scientist
Company: UK Ministry of Defence
Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Description:
MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, Avon BS34 8JH

Job Summary

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.

Job Description

We are recruiting for a talented, motivated individual to join our growing multi-disciplinary team, with data analysis, data modelling, and digital engineering skills and knowledge.

As the landscape of threats and challenges evolves rapidly, our cohesive team must respond with a renewed focus on embedding technology into our operations.

We are working to reduce the time it takes to design and deliver equipment to the armed forces through the adoption of digital engineering techniques, to ensure the equipment we buy works as part of a coherent system with existing platforms within the UK Armed Forces, across NATO and with allies and industry.

To spearhead this transformation, we’ve established three Capability Centres. Each Capability Centre has a unique focus, playing a crucial role in developing our future transformative digital capabilities.

Through collaboration and innovation, this exceptional team will help us maintain our strategic edge over adversaries, both now and in the future.

The Capability Centres offer excellent opportunities to work with and influence senior management within DE&S and the broader Defence Enterprise, fostering new ways of working and embracing cutting-edge technologies.

We hope you will join us, to help develop these approaches and to utilise new technologies, modelling, and analysis techniques, to equip the UK armed forces with the edge to protect our nation.

The Digital and Data profession offer a range of on the job and structured training, however, if you already have experience and knowledge of other programming languages such as R, JavaScript, Python and SQL, it would be beneficial.

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A sole UK national refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Whilst on site, you’ll experience our impressive range of on-site facilities including a restaurant and coffee bistros and free parking. Our sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and sports hall with bookable classes, as well as tennis courts and a squash court.

What You’ll Be Doing


Perform complex exploratory data analysis using data mining techniques and develop and deliver algorithmic tools and solutions to business problems.
Utilise Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques to draw insights from data whilst adhering to industry standards and best practices for development and version control.
Identify, define and propose options for the application data science techniques and approaches to decide the most effective way of meeting business requirements, in collaboration with Business Analysts.
Champion Data Science and applied methodologies across DE&S, presenting findings in a clear and concise manner, tailored to your audience.
Champion the knowledge of AI ethics development, evaluation, monitoring and deployment of data science solutions safely and understand the risks and how they can be mitigated.


We are recruiting for a talented, motivated individual to join our growing multi-disciplinary team, with data analysis, data modelling, and digital engineering skills and knowledge.

As the landscape of threats and challenges evolves rapidly, our cohesive team must respond with a renewed focus on embedding technology into our operations.

We are working to reduce the time it takes to design and deliver equipment to the armed forces through the adoption of digital engineering techniques, to ensure the equipment we buy works as part of a coherent system with existing platforms within the UK Armed Forces, across NATO and with allies and industry.

To spearhead this transformation, we’ve established three Capability Centres. Each Capability Centre has a unique focus, playing a crucial role in developing our future transformative digital capabilities.

Through collaboration and innovation, this exceptional team will help us maintain our strategic edge over adversaries, both now and in the future.

The Capability Centres offer excellent opportunities to work with and influence senior management within DE&S and the broader Defence Enterprise, fostering new ways of working and embracing cutting-edge technologies.

We hope you will join us, to help develop these approaches and to utilise new technologies, modelling, and analysis techniques, to equip the UK armed forces with the edge to protect our nation.

The Digital and Data profession offer a range of on the job and structured training, however, if you already have experience and knowledge of other programming languages such as R, JavaScript, Python and SQL, it would be beneficial.

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A sole UK national refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Whilst on site, you’ll experience our impressive range of on-site facilities including a restaurant and coffee bistros and free parking. Our sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and sports hall with bookable classes, as well as tennis courts and a squash court.

What You’ll Be Doing


Perform complex exploratory data analysis using data mining techniques and develop and deliver algorithmic tools and solutions to business problems.
Utilise Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques to draw insights from data whilst adhering to industry standards and best practices for development and version control.
Identify, define and propose options for the application data science techniques and approaches to decide the most effective way of meeting business requirements, in collaboration with Business Analysts.
Champion Data Science and applied methodologies across DE&S, presenting findings in a clear and concise manner, tailored to your audience.
Champion the knowledge of AI ethics development, evaluation, monitoring and deployment of data science solutions safely and understand the risks and how they can be mitigated.


Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:


Undergraduate/Postgraduate Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematical Science OR relevant previous experience.
Experience with Data Science languages & tools such as Python/R/Cloud-based solutions.
Experience delivering Data Mining, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and/or Natural Language based solutions.


In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:


MI & Analytics – Practitioner
Development & Implementation – Practitioner
Delivering at Pace – CSBC 3
Changing and Improving – CSBC 3


Alongside your salary of £45,200, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,094 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.


25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
Flexible and hybrid working options
Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
Support for progression
Huge range of discounts
Volunteering days
Enhanced parental leave schemes


Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information


Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions


Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:


Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.


Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission

Offering at a lower level

If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 :


Name : Rory Thomas - DE&S Talent Acquisition Specialist
Email : Rory.Thomas214@mod.gov.uk


Recruitment team


Email : Rory.Thomas214@mod.gov.uk


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