> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2817773-senior-data-scientist-operational-research](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2817773-senior-data-scientist-operational-research). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Senior Data Scientist - Operational Research

- **Company:** relaytech
- **Location:** Greater London, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** C++ (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Mathematical Programming, Build Management, Information Technology, Marketplace
- **Published:** September 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.collegerecruiter.com/job/2840588332-senior-data-scientist-operational-research

## About the Role

* You have relevant operational research experience in heuristics and/or mathematical programming.
 * You are comfortable coding in a general purpose or performance language, such as Python, Rust, Julia or C++.
 * You enjoy the challenge of solving large-scale optimisation problems.
 * You are motivated to work on production systems, learning from the realised outcome of your optimisation model every day, and proactively evolving your solution.
 * You love understanding problems deeply, crafting bespoke solutions to unique dynamics of the decision being made.
 * You are excited to work in a cross-functional tech team designing and building Relay's Last Mile Marketplace.
 * You care about the people your work affects - couriers, retailers, and consumers all feel the decisions these systems make.

## Description

* ~110 people, more than half in engineering, product and data
 * 45+ advanced degrees across computer science, mathematics and operations research
 * Thousands of data points captured, calculated, analysed and predicted for every single parcel we handle
 * An intellectually vibrant culture of first-principles thinking, tight feedback loops and relentless experimentation

The Opportunity

A last-mile marketplace runs on decisions - which parcels? on which routes? delivered by which couriers? at what price? Thousands of them, made every single day. Good decisions have fast and meaningful impact across the entire Relay Network. Our Operational Research team are responsible for the intelligent systems that optimise the most complex decisions across our network.

What You'll Do

 * Translate operational requirements into optimisation models across scheduling, assignment and pricing problems.
 * Develop and evaluate solution approaches - drawing on knowledge of mathematical programming and meta-heuristics.
 * Design and build algorithms, heuristics and solvers bespoke for the unique problems you formulate.
 * Ensure your solutions are scalable and adaptable to our growing operation.
 * Benchmark and evaluate the performance of your solutions.
 * Work closely with engineering to productionise your solutions into automated daily processes.
 * Work with analytics to monitor the daily performance of your solution, using this information to proactively evolve your solution to make better decisions.


## Related Videos

- [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail)
- [Enabling intelligent logistics automation: home-grown Industrial IoT platform at Austrian Post](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2018-enabling-intelligent-logistics-automation-home-grown-industrial-iot-platform-at-austrian-post)
- [Launching a marketplace on-time: A lesson in taking shortcuts using spreadsheets!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/477-launching-a-marketplace-on-time-a-lesson-in-taking-shortcuts-using-spreadsheets)
- [Answering the Million Dollar Question: Why did I Break Production?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1171-answering-the-million-dollar-question-why-did-i-break-production)
- [Augmented Intelligence for transport planning: Human in the Loop Modelling](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/72-augmented-intelligence-for-transport-planning-human-in-the-loop-modelling)
- [How to Monetize Your APIs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/749-how-to-monetize-your-apis)

## Related Articles

- [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)
- [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)
- [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023)
- [Find a Developer Job: 12 Best Job Sites For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/165-find-a-developer-job-12-best-job-sites-for-developers)
- [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk)
- [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk)