Natural England
Senior Data Scientist - Statistics - ( Ref : 6610 )
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Senior Data Scientist (Statistician) – Natural England
Location: Nationally based
About Data Science Services (DSS)
Data Science Services (DSS) is part of the Analysis Directorate within Natural England, a large, national team with expertise in data science, analysis, and statistics. We deliver high-quality technical outputs and drive continuous improvement through novel data science approaches, helping stakeholders understand nature recovery and evidence-based decision-making.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Data Scientist (Statistician) who can:
- Lead analytical and data science projects to enhance efficiency and evidence quality.
- Drive up standards and capability in statistical practice.
- Apply domain expertise to improve nature conservation evidence.
Role Summary
The successful candidate will:
- Lead data science and statistical projects to support strategic objectives.
- Develop, deliver, and improve robust evidence-based solutions across the organisation.
- Champion rigorous analytical standards, ensuring high-quality, reproducible outputs.
- Engage with stakeholders to identify and implement innovative methodologies.
Key Tasks & Accountabilities
1. Project Leadership & Delivery
- Lead small teams and programmes to execute complex statistical analyses, improving quality and efficiency to meet evidence needs for:
- Natural England
- Defra Group stakeholders
- Other collaborators.
- Liaise with project managers to:
- Define plans and resource allocation.
- Monitor delivery, risks, and progress.
- Establish data standards, quality assurance processes, and documentation best practices to ensure:
- Reproducibility of outputs.
- Sound evidence for decision-making.
2. Evidence & Strategic Impact
- Work with business planning teams to:
- Provide intelligence on analytical opportunities.
- Support prioritisation and scoping of projects.
- Identify high-impact opportunities to:
- Adopt new data technologies and methods.
- Improve evidence robustness.
- Enhance operational efficiency or funding potential.
- Engage with external partners to align with best practices in government and statics.
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3. Team Capability Development
- Build and mentor team members to achieve resilient, high-performing analytical teams.
- Promote a culture of:
- Continuous learning.
- Innovation.
- Performance reflection.
Requirements & Competencies
Essential Qualifications & Skills
- Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Expertise in statistical techniques, including:
- Inference, parametric/non-parametric analysis, and uncertainty quantification.
- Machine learning and predictive modelling (where applicable).
- Proficiency in statistical tools:
- SAS, SPSS, R (essential).
- SQL, Python, or other analytical platforms (advantageous).
- Experience handling:
- Biological, geographical, and social datasets (preferably integrated analyses).
- Understanding of data ethics, governance, and quality assurance.
Core Competencies
Our selection process assesses five key areas. Read our guidance on STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for application examples.
1. Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Apply advanced statistical methods to real-world problem-solving.
- Clean, prepare, analyse, and visualise large datasets.
- Ensure transparency in methods and findings for decision-makers.
2. Leading & Managing People
- Set clear plans, expectations, and succession. (Practitioner level)
- Inspire teams to deliver innovative, high-quality work through:
- Delegation.
- Reflection.
- Celebration of achievements.
3. Work Delivery
- Understand and integrate relevant policy, governance, and organisational strategy.
- Communicate how individual projects support larger business objectives.
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4. Personal Effectiveness
- Make objective, evidence-based decisions at expert level.
- Effectively present complex findings to non-technical audiences for actionable impacts.
Applying for the Role
Selection Process
- Competency-based assessment across all five areas.
- We may initially assess applications for one competency if there are high volumes of applicants.
Offer & Availability
- Mandatory minimal office attendance: 20% of working time (one day per week for full-time roles), subject to reasonable adjustments.
- Successful candidates must pass:
- A criminal record check.
- Baseline personnel security checks.
Salary & Benefits
- Starting salary: £39,660 per annum.
- Civil Service pension: 28.97% employer contribution.
- Further benefits include:
- Flexible working options.
- Tailored learning & development.
- Inclusive culture CEIBSed on diversity.
Inclusion & Accessibility
- Disability Confident Employer:
- Shortlisted disabled applicants guaranteed an interview if they meet minimum criteria.
- Reasonable adjustments for interviews provided upon request.
- Policy on equal opportunities:
- We **welcoming (**candidates from all backgrounds).
- Prison leavers and those with spent convictions encouraged to apply.
- Applications must be your original work. Plagiarism or misrepresentation may lead to withdrawal.
Contact Details
Questions? Reach out to:
Recruitment Team Email: defra-recruitment-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Tom Pullen (Point of Contact) Email: thomas.pullen@naturalengland.org.uk Phone: 07717 455559
Further Information Visit: Natural England Career Page{
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