Principal Data Scientist
Summary
Principal Data Scientist at the UK Hydrographic Office, a government agency: set technical direction for the data science team while doing hands-on work in statistical modelling, machine learning, computer vision and LLMs, mainly in Python, plus AI assurance and stakeholder leadership. £63,558, hybrid from Taunton; no visa sponsorship.
- Job grade: Grade 7
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: UKHO - Technology
- Type of role: Analytical, Architecture and Data, Digital, Information Technology, Science
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 2
Location
About the job
Job summary
Shape the future of data science and AI at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), a world leading hydrographic agency that has been helping people safely navigate the oceans for over 200 years. As a Principal Data Scientist, you will combine hands-on technical work with scientific leadership, turning complex data into practical solutions.
Join our established Data Science and AI team and tackle varied challenges using hydrographic, oceanographic, ship-tracking, satellite, lidar and unstructured data. You will use techniques including statistical modelling, deep learning, computer vision and large language models. You will have the freedom to select methods according to the problem, available data and operational requirements, rather than just following technology trends.
This is an opportunity to influence technical direction while staying close to the science and code. You will bring strong mathematics, statistics and machine-learning expertise, programming skills, preferably in Python, and the ability to connect organisational ambition with achievable outcomes.
You will contribute to the development and practical application of AI strategy, policy and assurance. You will help establish proportionate evaluation, documentation and monitoring approaches, making the limitations and risks of analytical outputs clear. Where solutions support navigation or Defence activities, you will work with subject matter experts to ensure that testing reflects their intended use and that appropriate human oversight is maintained.
You will work in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment that values curiosity, constructive challenge and learning through experimentation. If you want to combine technical depth, collaboration and leadership with the opportunity to build useful, sustainable capabilities, this role offers the scope to make a lasting contribution.
Hybrid working
This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK. Office attendance is required in accordance with business need.
Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 0.8 FTE - 29.6 hours per week)
Job description
- Set the technical direction for the Data Science team, with your peers, own, build and maintain an effective and sustainable data science function
- Lead multiple projects, contribute to their progression, and support team members in experimentation and discovery
- Guide, develop and deliver advanced analysis, machine learning and practical automation. Improve operational workflows and modernise analytical solutions into repeatable, reusable and maintainable capabilities
- Communicate results to a wide range of stakeholders to define problems, shape solutions and communicate benefits
- Lead stakeholder engagement and develop internal and external collaborations
- Ensure scientific rigour, technical quality and proportionate AI assurance. Design means and metrics for measuring delivery efficacy.
Person specification
- History of working with users and stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions
- Previous experience leading a team or projects
- Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs / generative AI desirable.
- Strong coding and development ability, for example Python, version control
- Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
- Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement
- Excellent communicator able to navigate stakeholders and organisational silos
- History of developing junior members and supporting their work
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Developing Self and Others
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs / generative AI desirable.
- Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
- Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement
Benefits
At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.
We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.
See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
How to Apply:
When you click 'Apply now' you will be asked to upload your ANONYMISED CV and give a 500 word statement on the shortlist criteria listed below.
Timeline:
- Advert Closes for applications: 22/11/2026
- Shortlisting: week commencing: w/c 30/11/2026
- Interviews: week commencing: w/c 07/12/2026
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Pre-sift Criteria:
- Relevant data science experience – degree or masters in data science or similar numerate/ STEM subject and/or experience of applying data science in a workplace demonstrated by evidence of running and end to end data science project in a workplace context - assessed from your CV and Personal Statement.
Please note if your application does not meet this pre-sift criteria, it will not be taken through to be scored against the shortlist criteria below.
Sift/Shortlist Criteria:
All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria:
Experience:
- Evidence of practical data science in a working environment, leading complex data science projects (lead criteria used in the event of a large volume of applications)
- Demonstration of meeting the Person Specification
We will use both your CV and supporting statement to assess against the above criteria.
Interview Criteria:
You will be interviewed against the following criteria:
Experience:
- Leading complex data science projects including working with stakeholders and other data scientists
- History of working with users and stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions (lead criteria used in the event of a tie at interview)
Civil Services Behaviours (Grade 7)
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Developing Self and Others
Technical Skills
- Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs/generative AI
- Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
- Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement
All the three criteria above will be assessed by a presentation with follow-up questions
See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK
Process:
- Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
- Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and we expect it to last approx.50 mins
- As part of the interview, you will be required to give a 10 minute presentation as noted above. The title of the presentation will be provided in the invitation to interview
Onboarding Checks:
In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Security Clearance (SC) will need to be obtained prior to the role commencing. You will also need to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) which can be completed while working for us but the offer will remain conditional until DV is gained. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.
Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Residency Requirements
SC – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- 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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
- Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
Further information
The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
Attachments
| UKHO Candidate Information Pack - Tech Opens in new window (pdf, 5887kB) |
| Additional Pay Information Opens in new window (pdf, 163kB) |
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