Ministry of Justice UK
Data Scientist (Ref: 19395)
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Job Summary
This is a National Role
Job Description
Data Scientist
Location: National*
Closing Date: 24th July 2026
Interviews: Rolling – from 10th July – 31st July
Grade: HEO
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
National: £35,335 - £37,847 (which may include an allowance up to £1,203)
London: £40,014 - £42,859 (which may include an allowance up to £474)
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Number of vacancies: 10
Vacancy number: TBC
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
Please note that unless you are an existing member of staff at Justice Digital, Data and Science, the only London location being recruited to is 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU. We are no longer recruiting to 102 Petty France, SW1H 9AJ.
The Role
Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. Please click on the link for details.
We’re recruiting for Data Scientists here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Science & AI teams.
This role aligns against Data scientist from the Government Digital and Data Framework
These roles sit within Justice Data. We exist to ensure that high quality data, algorithms and tools, are available, trusted, and effectively used to improve decision making across the justice system. We play 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.
The Data Science community at MoJ has around 80 members of staff providing data science support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We create a culture in which people are empowered by data and information to make better decisions using cutting edge tools and put evidence at the heart of the justice system.
We have a track record of delivering services to front line staff using wide ranging data science techniques, including the award-winning safety diagnostic tool, which helps our staff tackle violence in prisons (including machine learning features), and the public-facing Criminal justice system (CJS) delivery data dashboard. We also created Splink, used across the public sector, private sector, and academia. We regularly deliver insights that directly influence corporate, operational and policy decisions. Our projects span the data science spectrum including generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, semantic embedding models, traditional statistics, and operational research techniques.
You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
- A generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- 25 days of annual leave, (increasing to 30 days once you have reached 5 years of service), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working, working part time or compressed hours. Designed to support a positive work–life balance.
- Employees are allocated 10% of their working time for personal and professional development.
- 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.
- 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!
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You can find more details of the Benefits we offer here. To help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital, Data and Science please take a look at our blog.
Key Responsibilities:
- Apply appropriate data science tools to build products to robust standards.
- Future-proof work with documentation, model monitoring, and re-assessment schedules.
- Work collaboratively with other data scientists using version control and proportionate dev-ops practices.
- Communicate results and possibilities to a variety of stakeholders.
- Help the team keep up to date with the wider data science landscape and emerging technologies.
- Contribute to making the Data Science and AI Hub an inclusive and vibrant place to work.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience of applying data science techniques or analytical experience (e.g. machine learning, language models, data visualisation and/or traditional statistical modelling)
- A foundation in probability and statistics, and an interest in how models work.
- Experience in writing high-quality code in Python (or significant experience with other programming languages and ability to learn Python quickly)
- Data derivation/manipulation in code and/or SQL
- Ability to communicate analytical results convincingly to technical and non-technical audiences
- Able to identify opportunities and applicability of data science.
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance.
We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.
Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.
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.
Salary Information
Base salary for this role is from £35,335 - £37,847 (National) or £40,014 - £42,859 (London)
New entrants to the Civil Service joining the MoJ are expected to start at the minimum of the pay band. Existing Civil Servants moving on a level transfer will retain their current base salary or move to the minimum of the pay band for the role, whichever is higher. Existing Civil Servants who are promoted will either move to the bottom of the new grade’s pay band or receive a 10% uplift, whichever provides the greater increase. Candidates may also be eligible for a non‑pensionable Government Digital & Data Allowance of up to £474 per year (London) or £1,203 (National). This is a temporary allowance, reviewed annually and may be retained, amended, or withdrawn.
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The final offer will reflect the skills and experience you demonstrate during the assessment process.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk
Person specification
Please Refer To Attached Job Description
Alongside your salary of £35,335, Ministry of Justice contributes £10,236 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Access to learning and development A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave Public Holidays Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
How To Apply
In Justice Digital, Data and Science, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We shall assess a combination of your Experience, Technical skills and Behaviours during the assessment process.
Stage 1 - Application And Sift:
To apply for this position, you must submit the following as part of your application
- A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined within the Person Specification of this advert.
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