Data Scientist

Salary: Cheltenham £45,841 (includes £2,758 concessionary payment); London £52,091 (includes £6,250 London Weighting and £2,758 concessionary payment). Additionally, you could qualify for a specialist skills payment starting from £4,420. Skills revalidation is required every three years., As a Senior Data Scientist, you'll leverage data science to advance our mission and inform policy and strategy decisions. While this role is data-centric, collaboration is at its heart.

In this role, you'll collaborate with data scientists and mission teams to utilise our services for problem-solving and discovering new applications. You'll work with project teams to research and implement both established and novel models, and adapt AI techniques into our microservice architecture. Supporting our Development Operations (DevOps) team, you'll explore innovative Machine Learning Operations (ML Ops) tools and learn to host large language models across multiple Graphic Processing Units (GPUs). After a year in this role, you'll have opportunities to manage data scientists and engineers.

You understand the power of data for a business, and at GCHQ, we know how to use it for good. Every bit of data you work on is mission-critical and not driven by commercial gain, so you can be confident that your work makes a positive impact.

There may be annual opportunities for overseas travel for collaboration, conferences, and training., At GCHQ, we're committed to giving you all the support and guidance you need to build a rewarding career at the heart of national security, and we'll do this from the very start. From day one, you'll have a comprehensive introduction to the organisation, plus a buddy on hand to support and mentor you as you get settled in. We understand that everyone learns differently, so we'll tailor your development to suit your needs - whether that's through books, studying, courses, or conferences.

Additionally, we offer an internal Data Science learning pathway with a significant taught component. Successfully completing this pathway will open up a variety of other learning opportunities, aligned with ambitions, career direction, and our mission requirements. The programme includes modules on exploratory data analysis, and visualisation, mathematics and statistics, machine learning, algorithms and graph theory, and big data technologies.

A Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) or computer science-related degree, or an equivalent qualification, will be beneficial. If you don't have a degree but possess relevant experience, please apply, as your experience is as valuable as a professional qualification. Ideally, you'll have a deep understanding of machine learning, including training deployment, and maintenance. Additionally, you should be proficient in exploratory data analysis, statistical reasoning, and data driven decision-making.

Your experience in data science or software engineering enables you to communicate effectively with experts in both fields. This background has also shaped you into an effective manager, with a history of mentoring and supporting colleagues. Beyond these skills, you're adept at leading teams and working with internal and external partners, as well as end users.

Technically, you're well-versed in the entire lifecycle of machine learning projects, capable of transforming a prototype capability (such as one in a Jupyter notebook) into a functional system component. Additionally, you're proficient in a range of technologies, including but not limited to some of Python, Kubernetes, Docker, JavaScript, and Java., * You will be required to reach the minimum pass mark for the Organisational Situational Judgement Test which looks at your ability to problem solve. If you meet this criteria, you will be directed to complete an application form

• Demonstrate management and mentoring skills, and the ability to lead teams, as well as collaborate with partners and end users - assessed at application sift
• Meet the minimum criteria in motivational questions - assessed at application sift
• Demonstrate both your understanding of ML theory and how this is practically applied - assessed at application sift, for example through evidence of training, deploying and maintaining Machine Learning (ML) models and workflows
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex projects and data science techniques to multiple stakeholders, including non-specialists - assessed at application sift

Flexible working: We offer full-time and part-time opportunities with flexible working hours. Remote working may be possible, and there will be opportunities for some home working. It will be structured as 80% office-based and 20% from home, with one day a week dedicated to a combination of learning and working from home., You'll receive a starting salary of £45,841 or £52,091, depending on location. You might also qualify for a skills payment based on your expertise. Plus, you'll enjoy other benefits, including:

• 25 days annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• an interest-free season ticket loan
• an excellent pension scheme
• a cycle to work scheme
• facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• paid parental and adoption leave, * Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) rating the appropriateness of your response to a series of short scenarios. The SJT tests criteria important for all roles in our organisation
• CV and application question sift
• A competency based and technical interview - assessing your motivation for the role and your understanding of data science
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process, including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before you apply To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It's something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can't take any recreational drugs, and you'll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you manage your application with us more discreetly.

The role is based in Cheltenham or London, so you'll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.

We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-person appointments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be provided with your interview or assessment invitation.

Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in line with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hardcopy receipts for reimbursement.

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you'll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.