14368 - Lead Data Scientist (3 roles available) Justice Digital, Ministry of Justice
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 02 Chwefror 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £58,511 i £70,725 bob blwyddyn |
| Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am y cyflog: | The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 16 Chwefror 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | UK |
| Gweithio o bell: | Hybrid - gweithio o bell hyd at 3 ddiwrnod yr wythnos |
| Cwmni: | Ministry of Justice |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 14368 |
Crynodeb
Lead Data Scientist (Python)
Location: National*
Closing Date: 16th February 2026
Interviews: Interviews likely to take place w/c 16th March 2026 (dates are subject to change)
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
National salary is £58,511 - £65,329 (which may include an allowance up to [£16014]
London salary is £63,343 - £70,725 (which may include an allowance up to [15970]
Working pattern: Full Time and Flexible Working
Contract Type: Permanent
*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for a Lead Data Scientist here at the Ministry of Justice, to be part of the warm and collaborative Justice Data.
This role aligns against Principal Data Scientist from the Government Digital and Data Framework.
This role sits within Justice Data which exists to ensure that high quality data, and algorithms and tools built on that data, are available, trusted, and effectively used to improve decision making across the justice system. It plays a critical enabling role in delivering the department’s strategic, operational, and transformation priorities by turning complex and fragmented data into meaningful insight and practical tools.
This role sits within the Cross-Government Division of Justice Data which addresses complex justice challenges that cut across departmental boundaries. Working with partners across government, academia, and delivery systems, the Division focuses on improving data access, building evidence, and developing practical tools that support better decision-making, frontline delivery, and long-term system transformation.
The successful candidates will join a community of approximately 75 data scientists with portfolios which include prisons, probation, courts, criminal injuries, risk assessment, mental health, prevention, and youth justice. There is a strong culture of sharing best practice, developing cutting-edge capability, and celebrating achievements.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead development of algorithms and tools which improve the delivery of front-line services. The Cross-government Division is currently focused on developing solutions relating to Mental Health, Prevention, and Youth Justice.
Support and motivate a team of data scientists.
Collaborate with teams across the business to understand data science and AI requirements.
Identify where data science can be used to achieve Ministry of Justice objectives.
Laurium.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!
Benefits
● 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
● A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
● Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
● Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
● 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
● Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
● Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
● Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
● Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
● 5 days volunteering paid leave.
● Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
● Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
Essential
Technical skills: theoretical understanding of and expertise utilising data science techniques for a range of applications (e.g. natural language processing, classification, forecasting, regression).
Technical skills: expert level coding skills in python.
Project management: leading impactful data science projects from inception to production by setting a clear direction and delivering on milestones.
People management: supporting and motivating a team to deliver excellence and derive fulfilment from their roles.
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Location: National*
Closing Date: 16th February 2026
Interviews: Interviews likely to take place w/c 16th March 2026 (dates are subject to change)
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
National salary is £58,511 - £65,329 (which may include an allowance up to [£16014]
London salary is £63,343 - £70,725 (which may include an allowance up to [15970]
Working pattern: Full Time and Flexible Working
Contract Type: Permanent
*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for a Lead Data Scientist here at the Ministry of Justice, to be part of the warm and collaborative Justice Data.
This role aligns against Principal Data Scientist from the Government Digital and Data Framework.
This role sits within Justice Data which exists to ensure that high quality data, and algorithms and tools built on that data, are available, trusted, and effectively used to improve decision making across the justice system. It plays a critical enabling role in delivering the department’s strategic, operational, and transformation priorities by turning complex and fragmented data into meaningful insight and practical tools.
This role sits within the Cross-Government Division of Justice Data which addresses complex justice challenges that cut across departmental boundaries. Working with partners across government, academia, and delivery systems, the Division focuses on improving data access, building evidence, and developing practical tools that support better decision-making, frontline delivery, and long-term system transformation.
The successful candidates will join a community of approximately 75 data scientists with portfolios which include prisons, probation, courts, criminal injuries, risk assessment, mental health, prevention, and youth justice. There is a strong culture of sharing best practice, developing cutting-edge capability, and celebrating achievements.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead development of algorithms and tools which improve the delivery of front-line services. The Cross-government Division is currently focused on developing solutions relating to Mental Health, Prevention, and Youth Justice.
Support and motivate a team of data scientists.
Collaborate with teams across the business to understand data science and AI requirements.
Identify where data science can be used to achieve Ministry of Justice objectives.
Laurium.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!
Benefits
● 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
● A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
● Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
● Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
● 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
● Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
● Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
● Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
● Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
● 5 days volunteering paid leave.
● Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
● Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
Essential
Technical skills: theoretical understanding of and expertise utilising data science techniques for a range of applications (e.g. natural language processing, classification, forecasting, regression).
Technical skills: expert level coding skills in python.
Project management: leading impactful data science projects from inception to production by setting a clear direction and delivering on milestones.
People management: supporting and motivating a team to deliver excellence and derive fulfilment from their roles.
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.