Job summary
We're helping to build the future of open source data science in health and social care at the Strategy Unit, and we need you to help us!
* We build data science products with R and Python
* We deliver training in data science regionally and nationally
* We believe in the power of sharing code and we share our code
* We are a key part of the NHS-R community which is hosted at the Strategy Unit (and we are great friends with our sister community, NHS Pycom)
* We have access to all the tools that you need to do open source data science and to deploy products in the cloud to our customers nationally
* We have a lot of fun, we love to learn new stuff together, and we want you to be a part of it
We're looking for data scientists with skills in R/ Python, agile and collaborative working, team players who can learn from and teach others as part of an innovative data science team. You may have skills in machine learning, statistics, data wrangling, text mining, dashboards (Shiny/ Streamlit/ etc.), the most important quality is ability and readiness to learn new things, and to share your knowledge with the team and with the wider health and social care system. This is a permanent role, band 7/8A depending on experience (£43,742 - £57,349), can be done hybrid/ remote, with a base in Birmingham.
Main duties of the job
As a Data Scientist, you will have experience in designing, managing and maintaining open source code for data science and you will work in a team delivering software, code based tools, documentation and training to our clients regionally and nationally.
We are committed to open-source reproducible analytical pipelines (RAP- https://nhsdigital.github.io/rap-community-of-practice/) to ensure the methods are shared widely across the NHS, including sharing code and transferring skills to national and local teams, particularly through NHS-R/ NHS Pycom.
You will be a valued member of the Strategy Unit team, supporting the development of our services, systems, strategy, and reputation for excellence.
You will be provided with the opportunities you require to develop your skills and build your career, both through formal training and hands-on experience.
About us
The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe. It's a world-renowned institution and an exciting place to work, full of challenges and opportunities.
NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (MLCSU) is one of the biggest and best-performing commissioning support units in the country, with among the highest levels of staff and customer satisfaction. We work together as a team of over 1,600 expert staff based across the Midlands and North West to make a difference - for our customers, patients and communities.
Offering a full range of professional services to hospital trusts, local authorities, integrated care systems (ICSs) and other public bodies\ across the country, our NHS values underpin everything we do.
In return, we provide a supportive environment in which to learn and develop, with the opportunity to further your skills and career within an exciting and evolving environment.
Joining our inclusive and innovative team comes with a range of benefits including flexible & agile working arrangements, pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance.
With our training schemes and support networks, you will be empowered to play a leading role in the future of healthcare, whatever your specialism or interest. And as a member of NHS staff you will receive plenty of discounts too.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Contribute to the design, production, and maintenance of data science products as code, including but not limited to reproducible analytical pipelines
Work with our customers to identify and structure the problems they need to address, using agile methods to iteratively produce code and outputs to meet the requirements of our clients
Proactively learn new data science methods and ideas to ensure that you can work across a range of our projects, you will be fully supported to learn throughout your time in the team
Interpret and explain your work to both analysts and non-analysts within our clients organisations. This will include writing reports as well as presenting the results, confidently conveying key findings, critical uncertainties, business risks and opportunities
Write and deliver training internally as well as where appropriate externally
Work to produce quality open source outputs, including clean, readable code, and documentation, and promote and disseminate the work of the data science team accordingly
Be a team player, sharing your skills and knowledge, contributing to skills development and code reviews, and learning from others in the data science team and the wider unit
The postholder may be asked to provide line management for other data scientists in the team.
To find out more about the role please contact the recruiting manager Chris Beeley on chris.beeley1@nhs.net. If you want to find out what it's like working with the team do email current team members Zo Turner (zoe.turner3@nhs.net) or Tom Jemmett (thomas.jemmett@nhs.net).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Contribute to the design, production, and maintenance of data science products as code, including but not limited to reproducible analytical pipelines
Work with our customers to identify and structure the problems they need to address, using agile methods to iteratively produce code and outputs to meet the requirements of our clients
Proactively learn new data science methods and ideas to ensure that you can work across a range of our projects, you will be fully supported to learn throughout your time in the team
Interpret and explain your work to both analysts and non-analysts within our clients organisations. This will include writing reports as well as presenting the results, confidently conveying key findings, critical uncertainties, business risks and opportunities
Write and deliver training internally as well as where appropriate externally
Work to produce quality open source outputs, including clean, readable code, and documentation, and promote and disseminate the work of the data science team accordingly
Be a team player, sharing your skills and knowledge, contributing to skills development and code reviews, and learning from others in the data science team and the wider unit
The postholder may be asked to provide line management for other data scientists in the team.
To find out more about the role please contact the recruiting manager Chris Beeley on chris.beeley1@nhs.net. If you want to find out what it's like working with the team do email current team members Zo Turner (zoe.turner3@nhs.net) or Tom Jemmett (thomas.jemmett@nhs.net).
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate degree or equivalent level of experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of using open source programming languages for data science, e.g. R/ Python
- Experience with the tools of reproducible analytic pipelines, such as git, GitHub, documentation, automation, and code review
- Experience of communicating with non technical stakeholders, including understanding their problems and communicating about the data science solutions as they are developed
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of data science concepts, e.g. tidy data, machine learning algorithms, writing robust code
Skills
Essential
- Able to present complex information to a range of audiences, virtually and in-person
- Able to use open source programming languages for data science
- Able to write reusable and well documented code
- Able to use initiative to develop and implement new ideas
- Team working skills and the ability to learn from and contribute to the culture of an innovative, open data science team
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate degree or equivalent level of experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of using open source programming languages for data science, e.g. R/ Python
- Experience with the tools of reproducible analytic pipelines, such as git, GitHub, documentation, automation, and code review
- Experience of communicating with non technical stakeholders, including understanding their problems and communicating about the data science solutions as they are developed
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of data science concepts, e.g. tidy data, machine learning algorithms, writing robust code
Skills
Essential
- Able to present complex information to a range of audiences, virtually and in-person
- Able to use open source programming languages for data science
- Able to write reusable and well documented code
- Able to use initiative to develop and implement new ideas
- Team working skills and the ability to learn from and contribute to the culture of an innovative, open data science team
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
