Principal Data Scientist

Shape the future of data science and AI at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), a world leading hydrographic agency that has been helping people safely navigate the oceans for over 200 years. As a Principal Data Scientist, you will combine hands-on technical work with scientific leadership, turning complex data into practical solutions.

Join our established Data Science and AI team and tackle varied challenges using hydrographic, oceanographic, ship-tracking, satellite, lidar and unstructured data. You will use techniques including statistical modelling, deep learning, computer vision and large language models. You will have the freedom to select methods according to the problem, available data and operational requirements, rather than just following technology trends.

This is an opportunity to influence technical direction while staying close to the science and code. You will bring strong mathematics, statistics and machine-learning expertise, programming skills, preferably in Python, and the ability to connect organisational ambition with achievable outcomes.

You will contribute to the development and practical application of AI strategy, policy and assurance. You will help establish proportionate evaluation, documentation and monitoring approaches, making the limitations and risks of analytical outputs clear. Where solutions support navigation or Defence activities, you will work with subject matter experts to ensure that testing reflects their intended use and that appropriate human oversight is maintained.

You will work in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment that values curiosity, constructive challenge and learning through experimentation. If you want to combine technical depth, collaboration and leadership with the opportunity to build useful, sustainable capabilities, this role offers the scope to make a lasting contribution.

Hybrid working

This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK. Office attendance is required in accordance with business need.

Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 0.8 FTE - 29.6 hours per week)

• Set the technical direction for the Data Science team, with your peers, own, build and maintain an effective and sustainable data science function
• Lead multiple projects, contribute to their progression, and support team members in experimentation and discovery
• Guide, develop and deliver advanced analysis, machine learning and practical automation. Improve operational workflows and modernise analytical solutions into repeatable, reusable and maintainable capabilities
• Communicate results to a wide range of stakeholders to define problems, shape solutions and communicate benefits
• Lead stakeholder engagement and develop internal and external collaborations
• Ensure scientific rigour, technical quality and proportionate AI assurance. Design means and metrics for measuring delivery efficacy.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply:

When you click 'Apply now' you will be asked to upload your ANONYMISED CV and give a 500 word statement on the shortlist criteria listed below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 22/11/2026
• Shortlisting: week commencing: w/c 30/11/2026
• Interviews: week commencing: w/c 07/12/2026

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Pre-sift Criteria:

• Relevant data science experience – degree or masters in data science or similar numerate/ STEM subject and/or experience of applying data science in a workplace demonstrated by evidence of running and end to end data science project in a workplace context - assessed from your CV and Personal Statement.

Please note if your application does not meet this pre-sift criteria, it will not be taken through to be scored against the shortlist criteria below.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• Evidence of practical data science in a working environment, leading complex data science projects (lead criteria used in the event of a large volume of applications)
• Demonstration of meeting the Person Specification

We will use both your CV and supporting statement to assess against the above criteria.

Interview Criteria:

You will be interviewed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• Leading complex data science projects including working with stakeholders and other data scientists
• History of working with users and stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions (lead criteria used in the event of a tie at interview)

Civil Services Behaviours (Grade 7)

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others

Technical Skills

• Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs/generative AI
• Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
• Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement

All the three criteria above will be assessed by a presentation with follow-up questions

See here for further information: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Process:

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and we expect it to last approx.50 mins
• As part of the interview, you will be required to give a 10 minute presentation as noted above. The title of the presentation will be provided in the invitation to interview

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Security Clearance (SC) will need to be obtained prior to the role commencing. You will also need to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) which can be completed while working for us but the offer will remain conditional until DV is gained. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Residency Requirements

SC – non reserved

This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.