Lead Data Scientist (Python)
Location: National*
Closing Date: 16th February 2026
Interviews: Interviews likely to take place w/c 23rd 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 (and the successful candidate may be eligible for an additional skills allowance of up to £16,014)
London salary is £63,343 - £70,725 (and the successful candidate may be eligible for an additional skills allowance of up to £15,970)
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
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.
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.
Maintaining and developing open-source tools. For example, our data extraction package, Laurium.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!
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.
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.
Candidates must submit an anonymised CV and Statement of Suitability of up to 750 words outlining how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification above.
We are recruiting using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We will assess you against the technical skills from the Government Digital and Data Framework for Principal Data Scientists and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:
Leadership - Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
Seeing the big picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based only on experience of leading data science projects as evidenced in the CV will be conducted. Following the pre-sift, a full sift will take place based on all the essential criteria in the person specification as evidenced in the CV and Statement of Suitability.
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to undertake a short technical test, if you pass the technical test, you will be invited to a 1-hour panel interview (on a separate date) held via video conference.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
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.
Please review our Terms & 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 datarecruitment@justice.gov.uk