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The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) make final decisions on complaints about UK Government departments and the NHS in England. Our work deals with complex, often sensitive issues, where decisions must be fair, well‑reasoned and backed by evidence. The insight we produce helps identify where public services fall short and supports real improvement.

At PHSO analysis matters. Evidence is closely examined, decisions are open to challenge, and methods must stand up to scrutiny. For a Senior Data Scientist, this means working in an environment where explainability, ethics and sound methodology are essential, not optional. There is space to influence how data science and AI are used responsibly in a highly accountable setting.

Based in Manchester City centre, we offer flexibility built on trust and a culture that values independence, fairness and doing the right thing. If you want to apply your expertise to complex, real‑world problems and see your work shape decisions that affect people’s lives, we offer purpose, challenge and genuine impact.

Job description

The role:

As Principal Data Scientist, you will provide leadership across data science and advanced analytics, ensuring insight is used effectively, ethically and transparently to support decision‑making and service improvement.

You will oversee complex analysis, set standards, and ensure quality in statistical modelling, machine learning, and experimental methods. Working closely with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams, you will translate complex problems into clear, trusted insight that informs priorities and investment decisions.

Alongside delivery, you will build organisational capability through line management, mentoring and professional leadership. You will act as a trusted advisor on the responsible use of data science and AI, helping embed high standards, sound judgement and confidence in how analytics is used across the organisation.

If you are an experienced data science leader who values high standards, sound judgement and ethical use of data, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

Person specification

The successful applicant:

A postgraduate qualification (Master’s or PhD) in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a closely related field; or Equivalent senior‑level professional experience leading production data science work

Significant practical professional experience delivering data science solutions or advanced analytics in complex environments

Experience working with the Microsoft data and ML stack including Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Model foundry, and Azure Databricks

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex data science concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background

disabled

LGBTQ.

Benefits

Our benefits:

Civil Service Pension scheme

32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)

hybrid working, 40% office based

flexible working

access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors

comprehensive learning and development programme

employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers

bicycle loan scheme

season ticket loan

gym membership subsidy

paid for professional memberships

eye test reimbursement.

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

How to apply (and how to do well)

You will answer four scored questions at application stage. We use these to shortlist and longlist, so your answers matter.

choose real examples (from professional settings)

focus on what you did, not what “we” did as a group

explain your thinking: what you looked at, what you decided, and why

keep it clear and specific, avoid generic statements

Please do not use AI to write your answers. We need to assess your skills, and applications may be rejected if answers appear AI-generated.

If your examples are very short, mostly opinion-based, or don’t describe a specific situation and outcome, you are unlikely to score well.

Inclusion & Wellbeing

Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.

Actions we take to embed this include:

an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased

monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels

providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues

creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs

part of the disability confident scheme

providing reasonable adjustments

engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.

Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background

disabled

LGBTQ.

Contact and important information

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Kevin Clarke, Data Architect, Kevin.Clarke@ombudsman.org.uk (please note Kevin is on annual leave until 28 July and will respond upon his return)

Interviews: held onsite

Feedback: we do not offer feedback at application stage

Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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.

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

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 : Kevin Clarke, Data Architect
Email : Kevin.Clarke@ombudsman.org.uk

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk

Attachments

How to apply (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 148kB)Principal Data Scientist role profile Opens in new window (pdf, 236kB)

Salary range

£58,178 - £64,501 per year