Data Scientist

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With 50 million customers, over 60,000 colleagues, and more than 800 billion collected to fund UK public services, HMRCs data and digital environment is vast, complex, and full of opportunity.

The Data Science team sits within HMRCs Chief Digital & Information Office (CDIO) and delivers innovative analytical and machine learning solutions that address real operational challenges. As part of this team, you will contribute to high-impact work that directly improves HMRCs effectiveness and customer outcomes.

We are looking for an experienced, proactive data scientist with a strong track record of innovation in analytical tools and techniques. You will take responsibility for developing the teams suite of widely used internal applications from a data and technical perspective. You will bring strong technical expertise, practical experience of building and deploying applications that many use to enable insights from information provided.

You will:

Maintain, develop and deploy R-Shiny applications that assist HMRC in targeting and decision-making (including performance, usability, and longevity considerations).

Explore innovative use of new technologies within HMRC's cloud-based technology stack to improve delivery of this application and others. Challenge others on inappropriate use of various technologies.

Prepare, link and analyse large datasets using robust coding practices and reproducible workflows, including utilising Git, Denodo, R, Python and SAS Viya.

Investigate, source and manipulate complex, disparate and sometimes unstructured datasets to provide meaningful insights from HMRC's myriad of data.

Work extensively with large, complex administrative datasets that were not originally designed for analytical use.

Collaborate with operational and policy colleagues to understand relevant business needs and ensure developments support operational priorities.

Provide advice, guidance, and peer support to colleagues on the use of advanced technical techniques.

Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to professional development in broader data science techniques.

This role is well suited to candidates who:

Have hands-on experience building and maintaining analytical products used by others (e.g. Shiny apps, dashboards, analytical tools)

Are comfortable working with messy, partially linked administrative data

Enjoy explaining technical findings to non‑technical colleagues

Essential Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you must meet the technical requirements for Government Digital and Data (SO Data Scientist) roles and hold qualifications suitable for later badging into either GORS or GSG.

You must demonstrate:

Communicating and influencing (lead criteria). You can:

communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner - choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact

encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness

ensure communication has a clear purpose and considers peoples individual needs

share information as appropriate and check understanding.

Programming and Build. You can:

write moderate to complex programs and scripts (particularly relating to R and R-Shiny)

show a good understanding of testing methodologies and how to deploy code

Data engineering. You can:

work with data engineers and data scientists to design and provide products for the organisation.

For example, how to use tools like Git and Denodo appropriately and assisting others.

Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices. You can:

apply designated quantitative techniques such as time series analysis, optimisation and simulation to create and embed appropriate models for analysis and prediction

provide guidance on matching data sources with relevant applied mathematics and statistical techniques to meet analysis goals

apply appropriate statistical techniques to available data to discover new relations and offer insight into research problems, helping to improve organisational processes and support decision making

access and use the statistical tools available within the organisation

Understanding product delivery. You can:

understand the differences between delivery methods, such as Agile and waterfall, and can choose the most appropriate method to deliver each product

define the minimum viable product (MVP) and support decisions about priorities

work with specialists in multidisciplinary teams to smoothly deliver data science products into the organisation

Profession frameworks: More information on the analytical profession frameworks and broad eligibility criteria at SO level can be found at the following pages.

The Data Scientist skills required are taken from:

Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (Data Scientist, SO): Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

GORS framework (Government Operational Research Service - GOV.UK): eligibility is a minimum 2i numerate degree or Masters with at least 50% numerate coverage.

GSG framework (Joining the GSS and GSG Government Analysis Function): eligibility is a minimum second-class degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills.

Please get in touch with the vacancy holder if unsure about any elements of eligibility or technical frameworks.

Additional Security Information

Please note: Security Check (SC) clearance level, either already held or willing to obtain, is a requirement of this role. Please see Additional Security Information and Security sections below.