Senior Data Scientist

The Data Science and Analytics Hub (DASH) sits within the Central Analysis and Insights Directorate (CAID) in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). CAID plays a strategic role in ensuring high-quality analysis informs Defra’s policies, strategy and delivery, while supporting the Central Data Office’s vision of placing data at the heart of departmental decision-making. DASH is central to delivering both ambitions.

The DASH service is a partnership between CAID and Digital, Data Technology and Services (DDTS), transforming data science and analytics across the Defra group. The service delivers scalable, adaptable and user-focused data services, modern tools and learning opportunities that enable data-driven decision-making to improve and protect the environment. It also fosters collaboration, innovation and continuous professional development across the analytical and scientific community.

The service develops community engagement, capability and user support to ensure services evolve around user needs. It provides expert guidance on using the DASH platform, alongside the delivery, maintenance and continual improvement of data and technology capabilities.

The Data Science and AI (DDSAI) team:

• Delivers regular DASH training across the Defra group, attracting around 200 attendees each month.
• Supports and mentors projects using the DASH platform, promoting best practice, resilience and efficient use of computing resources.
• Develops data science expertise that helps guide technological development, as well as ongoing training and project support.

As a Senior Data Scientist within the DDSAI team, you will spend around 50% of your time leading DASH's training programme. Working with fellow Senior Data Scientists, you will design, deliver and promote training, maximise participation, gather user feedback and use insights to shape future learning opportunities.

Training covers both established and emerging topics, including geospatial analysis, generative AI and machine learning. You will also have the opportunity to expand the programme by introducing new topics based on your expertise and user demand.

The remaining 50% of your role will focus on supporting DASH users, providing technical guidance and helping to build data science and AI capability across the programme. Working collaboratively with the wider DDSAI team, you will contribute to the continued development of DASH and help ensure users can effectively apply data science and AI to deliver better outcomes for Defra., As a Senior Data Scientist, you will be expected to work on the following.

DASH training offer:

• Lead the design and delivery of the DASH training offer
• Collaborate with the Comms and Capability leads to maximize uptake of the DASH training offer
• Coach and mentor data scientists in preparation for session delivery, while quality assuring resources and content
• Maintain and update documentation in collaboration with the rest of DASH team

Data Science and AI support:

• Provide technical guidance and support to teams across Defra in the areas of Data Science and AI expertise, such as machine learning, distributed computing, geospatial analysis or GenAI.
• Work closely with policy experts, scientists, and data engineers to understand requirements and provide advice and guidance for tailored solutions

Data Science and AI expertise:

• Further develop and maintain state-of-the-art knowledge in Dashboarding, reproducible pipelines, deep learning & machine learning or Generative AI
• Develop reusable workflows and templates for cloud-based geospatial, machine learning, or GenAI projects.

Cloud Computing:

• Leverage cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure and Databricks, to build scalable and cost-effective data science solutions.
• Become an expert in scalability and compute costs, offering advice on cluster use and efficient compute.

Workload delivery:

• Lead workstreams autonomously and prioritize workload according to business needs
• Provide leadership to more junior team members

Follow best practice project management and help shape the team’s ways of working to best support users, for example, by sharing knowledge with the team using the right tracking channels, e.g., Jira., After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 15/07/2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 15/07/2026.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits; for further information visit the Reasonable adjustments for online tests - a candidate guide

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide evidence against a CV, Personal Statement the lead behaviour, Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website., If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., * 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)
• 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

• Strong proficiency in R and/or Python building reproducible analytical pipelines and in using GitHub for collaboration and version control
• Proven ability to design and implement scalable data science and AI reproducible workflows in areas such as GenAI, Geospatial and/or Computer Vision
• Previous experience of delivering training and maintaining up-to-date documentation related to Data Science and AI.
• Expertise with cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure and Databricks, with hands-on experience on distributed computing tools and working with large-scale datasets or natural language

Previous experience in dashboarding frameworks (RShiny, Quarto Plotly, Stremlit, PowerBI) or web development, * Managing a Quality Service

• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving, This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Pulled from the full job description

• Childcare
• Annual leave
• Sick pay
• Company pension
• Paid volunteer time
• On-site gym
• Cycle to work scheme, Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

A career in the Civil Service is like no other. If you’re looking to join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you! You might be wondering, “what’s in it for me”? Take a look below at some of the benefits available to you as a civil servant in Defra.

Science and Analysis Directorate Benefits

Learning and Development

Everyone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, Defra, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role, while also working with you to connect you with a civil service mentor to help empower you in your new role with the opportunity to benefit from paid for coaching.

Most importantly, we’re keen to invest in you! As a civil servant, you will also have access to Civil Service Learning where you can participate in professional development programmes across a wide spectrum of subjects and professions.

Department Benefits

Technology

We’re a firm believer in agile and flexible working. When you join Defra, we’ll kit you out with a new Windows 10 Laptop, smartphone and rucksack to make sure that you perform your best wherever you are.

Leave 25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years’ service, in addition to eight public holidays and the King’s Birthday privilege day. We also offer

• competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave;
• study leave for the pursuit of academic studies;
• 3 days paid leave for volunteering per annum;
• 15 days paid leave per year for reservist training; and,
• generous paid sick leave.

Cycle to Work Scheme

Defra loans you a bike for your commute as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan period, you have the option to buy the bike, saving 30% of the original cost.

Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan

We offer interest-free season ticket loans, to all Defra employees with more than three months’ service, for purchasing train and bus season tickets, as well as station car parking. For those unable to take advantage of tax-free benefits, we also offer an interest-free bicycle loan to enable the purchase of a bicycle for commuting.

Gym, Social and Sports Activities

Our offices have a range of different onsite facilities, including gym, fitness facilities, games room, showers and cycle storage. There are also a variety of networks and social groups to join. Ask your line manager for more information.

Restaurant and Café Facilities

A range of our offices offer onsite restaurant and café facilities.

Civil Service Benefits

Pension

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package, and you will be given the chance to join one of three different pension plans. You can find more information on the Civil Service Pension on the MyCSP Website at www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Civil Service Sports Council

The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) organises a wide choice of activities throughout the UK, from art, gliding, abseiling and orienteering to cabaret weekends and quiz and curry nights. Your CSSC membership will provide you with FREE access to hundreds of national and local sites, in addition to savings at many high street stores, cinemas, restaurants and historic houses., New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.