Senior Data Scientist

Job summary

Do you want to help keep the UK moving by developing impactful AI products and applying advanced data science approaches to real-world transport challenges? The DfT AI and Data Science Team is looking for experienced data scientists to develop innovative, well-engineered solutions that inform high-stakes decisions, streamline complex processes, and support critical policy objectives.

Job description

About the AI and Data Science Team

The AI and Data Science Team is a growing, friendly and highly capable team of data scientists. Our vision is to cement DfT as a leading department in the use of AI. We will continue to expand our reach across the DfT, its agencies and delivery bodies and make better use of data science techniques and advances in AI to realise the ambition set out by the Prime Minister in the AI Opportunities Action Plan and in DfT’s Transport AI Action Plan.

Passionate about innovation, we bring new ideas and approaches to the most challenging issues facing transport. We collaborate with data engineers, digital leads, academia, industry, and policy professionals to unlock impact.

Some examples of our work include:

• Connectivity Tool: helps built environment professionals and others to understand the connectivity of places in England and Wales. You can use it here.
• AI Consultation Analysis Tool (CAT): uses ensembles of large language models with a responsible human-in-the-loop design to analyse consultation responses accurately and rapidly. You can read our evaluation here.
• AI Correspondence Drafter (CorD) tool: uses retrieval augmented generation (RAG) to produce accurate first draft responses to enquiries from members of the public.
• Computer vision solutions: anomaly detection and classification using bespoke machine learning models to unlock insights to support operational decisions in transport.
• Agentic AI solutions: development and evaluation of AI agents to reduce the resource burden associated with navigating complex documents and processes.

Responsibilities include:

• Conceptualising, developing, and deploying high-value AI and data science solutions.
• Writing and reviewing code every day using software development best practices and tools.
• Applying technical tools, methods and workflows including: AI/machine learning; automation; big data analysis tools and techniques; and cloud infrastructure.
• Responsibly developing products, including designing technical evaluation frameworks and metrics to assess accuracy of models and AI systems.
• Maintaining existing products and supporting user adoption.
• Collaborating effectively with teams and senior stakeholders to understand requirements and translating them into technical solutions.
• Staying abreast of new developments in AI and data science and finding innovative ways to apply them to improve our products and ways of working.

Person specification

Essential skills

• Strong programming skills, with expertise in Python (or similar with a desire to develop Python knowledge).
• Familiarity with essential tools and libraries for data science (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-Learn) and AI/machine learning (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, HuggingFace, LangChain, LiteLLM).
• A high level of competence in applied maths, statistics and the scientific method.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to autonomously work on data science projects and as part of a team.

Experience:

• Developing and deploying AI and data science solutions to tackle business challenges at pace.
• Inferring, predicting or forecasting using a variety of appropriate machine learning techniques.
• Quantitatively evaluating data science and AI solutions using novel designs and datasets.
• Using cloud computing and infrastructure to ship solutions to users (e.g., GCP, Azure, AWS).
• Continually promoting professional development by expanding data science knowledge and sharing best practice across organisations.
• Presenting, communicating and disseminating products and findings.
• Considering ethics and legislation when developing AI and data science solutions e.g., GDPR, design of appropriate human oversight in AI tools etc.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every criterion. Research shows that people who identify as being from underrepresented groups are more prone to experiencing imposter syndrome and doubting the strength of their candidacy, so we urge you not to exclude yourself prematurely and to submit an application.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 22 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices may be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Your technical skill proficiency will be assessed against the DDaT – Data Scientist framework using the four lead skills (read more information about Technical here - https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/data-scientist):

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Department for Transport contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your base salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation. The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Coding test and interview

You must be successful at stage 1 to progress to stage 2.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the Experience element of the Success Profile – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (500-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Your experience of using data science techniques to solve problems.
• Your ability to ensure your analysis achieves impact

The sift will take place week commencing 09/02/2026.

Selection stage 2: Coding assessment and interview

Coding test

If successful at sift you will be invited to a virtual assessment (Microsoft Teams) where you will carry out a practical coding test. You will be sent a task and will have 75 mins to deliver your code followed by a 15 mins meeting to talk through the code and justify your choices.

Panel interview

Following the coding test, you will have the panel interview (the same day) online via Microsoft Teams. You will be assessed on your technical proficiency and behaviours at interview.

Your technical skill proficiency will be assessed against the DDaT – Data Scientist framework using the following four lead skills (read more information about Technical here):

• Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices
• Data science innovation
• Delivering business impact
• Programming and build

You will also be assessed against the following two behaviours (read about Behaviours here):

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Interviews will take place week commencing 23/02/2026.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour

Threats or acts of violence

Illegal activity or substance misuse

Sexually explicit material

Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public.

Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle—it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture.

If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Greg Haigh
• Email : greg.haigh@dft.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel 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 Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here