6611 - Higher Data Scientist - Marine FTA
| Posting date: | 11 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,240 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 July 2026 |
| Location: | UK |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | Natural England |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 6611 |
Summary
Data Science Services (DSS) is part of the Analysis Directorate. We are a large, national team and have broad skills including data science, analysis and statistics. We are passionate about quality technical delivery and continuous improvement, using novel data science approaches to help everyone understand nature recovery. We are looking for a Higher Data Scientist who can lead data analyses and implement improvements across a range of projects, playing a key role in applying advanced analytical and machine learning techniques to complex problems. In addition, the post holder will be contributing to the development and improvement of data science across the team.
Data Science Services are looking for a Higher Data Scientist to support in the development of the Natural England Seabed Spatial Sensitivity Tool (NESSST), a scripted tool in R planned to be supported by a PostgreSQL/PostGIS relational database with an RShiny front end that wrangles existing Marine Evidence Bases to spatially present seabed habitat sensitivity. NESSST will support robust analysis of impacts from Fishing activities and Offshore Wind installation and operation to develop advice on sustainable use of the seabed in English Waters promoting Nature Recovery in local and national projects and programs. This role will also support with development of the Benthic Impact Fisheries Programme, focusing on the data science of fisheries activity and benthic indicator development.
Job description
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
• Support on the development for NESSST including QA, databases, code and hosting requirements, carry out complex data and spatial analysis to deliver NESSST development.
• Ensure NESSST development meets Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) standards including automated QA to data assimilation, code functionalisation and unit testing.
• Liaise with Senior Data Scientist and Principal Data Scientist to ensure development plans and deployment to NESSST are efficient and resourced, and that risks and issues are identified and monitored.
• For standard sub-projects with internal customers, engage with customers to scope projects and communicate progress and results, for complex sub-project support Senior Data Scientist with customer engagement providing supporting materials for scoping and communications.
• Support team members with understanding of NESSST and advise on the development of team protocols.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Data analysis skills including:
• Data extraction/ingestion and preparation, exploratory data analysis, and data visualisation.
• Working with a range of spatial and non-spatial data types.
• Strong experience of coding in R.
• Knowledge of relevant data/metadata standards.
• Understanding of good practice, ethics, and quality assurance for data analysis.
• Experience of using GitHub for robust code version control.
• Desirable: Experience working with database management systems (PostgreSQL, Access) and writing queries.
• Desirable: Understanding of UK marine habitat and sensitivity data – all our work uses habitat data with EUNIS codes and MarESA sensitivity data.
Data Science Services are looking for a Higher Data Scientist to support in the development of the Natural England Seabed Spatial Sensitivity Tool (NESSST), a scripted tool in R planned to be supported by a PostgreSQL/PostGIS relational database with an RShiny front end that wrangles existing Marine Evidence Bases to spatially present seabed habitat sensitivity. NESSST will support robust analysis of impacts from Fishing activities and Offshore Wind installation and operation to develop advice on sustainable use of the seabed in English Waters promoting Nature Recovery in local and national projects and programs. This role will also support with development of the Benthic Impact Fisheries Programme, focusing on the data science of fisheries activity and benthic indicator development.
Job description
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
• Support on the development for NESSST including QA, databases, code and hosting requirements, carry out complex data and spatial analysis to deliver NESSST development.
• Ensure NESSST development meets Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) standards including automated QA to data assimilation, code functionalisation and unit testing.
• Liaise with Senior Data Scientist and Principal Data Scientist to ensure development plans and deployment to NESSST are efficient and resourced, and that risks and issues are identified and monitored.
• For standard sub-projects with internal customers, engage with customers to scope projects and communicate progress and results, for complex sub-project support Senior Data Scientist with customer engagement providing supporting materials for scoping and communications.
• Support team members with understanding of NESSST and advise on the development of team protocols.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Data analysis skills including:
• Data extraction/ingestion and preparation, exploratory data analysis, and data visualisation.
• Working with a range of spatial and non-spatial data types.
• Strong experience of coding in R.
• Knowledge of relevant data/metadata standards.
• Understanding of good practice, ethics, and quality assurance for data analysis.
• Experience of using GitHub for robust code version control.
• Desirable: Experience working with database management systems (PostgreSQL, Access) and writing queries.
• Desirable: Understanding of UK marine habitat and sensitivity data – all our work uses habitat data with EUNIS codes and MarESA sensitivity data.