Data Scientist

As a Research Data Scientist, you will play an important role in delivering the HDRC vision. Working across Newcastle City Council, partner organisations and research institutions, you will help strengthen the systems, skills and infrastructure needed to support high-quality research and evidence-informed decision-making.

You will work with colleagues from across all council departments to help them identify opportunities where data science, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics can address real-world challenges and have meaningful impact. Through stakeholder engagement, workshops and collaborative project development, you will help shape and lead projects that demonstrate the value of data science and AI, while building organisational capability and confidence in their use.

A key part of the role will be helping colleagues understand what is possible with modern data science and AI approaches. You will showcase practical applications of machine learning, generative AI and advanced analytics, develop tools and proof-of-concepts, and support the wider adoption of data-driven approaches across the Council. You will also contribute to strengthening the governance, processes and partnerships needed to enable research and innovation to flourish.

What could a typical day look like? One day you might be developing or evaluating a model to help forecast a pupil's absence rate in secondary school. The next, you could be facilitating a workshop with colleagues, helping them turn a real-world challenge into a data science project. You might be building a proof-of-concept generative AI, working with academic partners to develop a new research study, delivering training to help colleagues build their data science skills, or facilitating a staff coding network to support peer learning and collaboration. You could also be writing a funding application or navigating data discovery, governance and research approval processes. Across all of this work, you'll help the Council make better use of evidence, data and research to improve health, reduce inequalities and create better outcomes for communities.

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical skills with excellent communication, facilitation and project management abilities. You will be comfortable working across disciplines, building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, developing research questions and project proposals, and navigating data governance and research approval processes. You will be resilient and adaptable, recognising that delivering research and innovation often requires patience, persistence and creative problem-solving.

Above all, you will be excited by emerging technologies and motivated by the opportunity to help shape how data science, artificial intelligence and research are used within local government. Your work will help generate the evidence needed to act on the wider determinants of health and reduce inequalities for communities across Newcastle and beyond.

What you'll bring

• Strong skills in data science, statistical analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• Knowledge of modern AI approaches, including generative AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and transfer learning.
• Knowledge of responsible AI practices, including identifying and mitigating bias and privacy risks.
• Experience engaging stakeholders, building relationships and facilitating workshops.
• The ability to develop project plans, research proposals and funding applications.
• Strong project management, communication and problem-solving skills.
• A passion for learning, innovation and applying new technologies to real-world challenges.

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join Newcastle City Council's Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) team. About HDRC Newcastle In 2022, in partnership with Newcastle University, we were successful in our bid to the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) to establish a HDRC. HDRC Newcastle exists to make it easier for people to lead, take part in and use research. We use our unique position within Newcastle City Council to connect research directly to real-world challenges and decisions. This helps people live happier, healthier lives in our city and beyond. Our work focuses on four strategic priorities: * Strengthening the systems and skills needed for ethical and meaningful research. * Making evidence and data central to council decision-making. * Supporting people to shape, lead and be involved in research. * Making relevant and impactful research happen. By increasing research activity and strengthening the use of evidence, we can better understand what works to improve health, reduce inequalities, and create healthier, fairer communities. HDRC Newcastle is a multidisciplinary team of around 20 people spanning data analysis, data science, economics, data infrastructure, public involvement and community engagement, research culture and governance, and academic collaboration and further funding., You'll be part of a friendly and ambitious team working at the intersection of research, local government, public health, data science and AI. You'll work alongside HDRC analysts, data scientists, economists, and colleagues from across the wider HDRC team. Together, we're helping to build a stronger research culture within the Council and creating new evidence to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for the people of Newcastle. If you're excited by the opportunity to combine technical expertise, collaboration and innovation to make a genuine difference to communities, we'd love to hear from you.