Senior Statistical Data Scientist

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.

Part of the National Statistician’s Office, the National Statistician’s Analysis Unit (NSAU) conducts policy-relevant analysis for stakeholders from across ONS and other government departments. Researchers process and analyse data, often linking across surveys and administrative data sources such as ONS Census data and health and employment records. Analysts then produce statistical outputs and rapid response policy analysis using this data. The NSAU also supports business areas across the ONS and the broader Government Statistical Service (GSS) with analytical work that is methodological in nature, leading to improved quality of analysis outputs.

The purpose of the Senior Statistical Data Scientist role is to code, manipulate, model and analyse data, report on findings in technical outputs, apply/develop innovative analytical methods, and/or develop data processes in the division.

In this role you will contribute to high-quality, policy-relevant analysis using a range of data sources and innovative analytical methods and models (both within ONS and across the broader GSS). You will contribute to development of reproducible analytical pipelines (RAP) to efficiently produce consistent and accurate datasets and statistics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for multiple aspects of statistical production/research or data science analytical projects
• Ensure analytical reproducibility, transparency and collaboration across the team
• Support the team in areas such as transformation and technical projects, taking the lead on delegated projects when required
• Apply advanced statistical and data science techniques to develop policy relevant analysis and/or improvements to current analytical methods
• Ability to respond to problems in datasets, data processes, data products and services as they occur
• Lead the development of technical and research papers and publications on the ONS website and for submission to peer reviewed journals
• Engage with stakeholders in ONS, other government departments, charities and academia to understand requirements, present results, advise on best-practice methodologies, and promote the work of the team
• Contribute to the development of funding bids to support new projects
• Potential for line management and/or matrix management of one or more analyst

There are two eligibility routes for applicants:

Qualifications route

To apply you should have:

• a first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,).

OR

• a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography).

Experience route

Alternatively you could apply if you:

• have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of three years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

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.

Security Clearance

For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.

If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.

At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

• Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records

For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please read A candidate’s guide to artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

Application Process

Stage 1: Application and GSS Online Test

To apply you will need to complete:

• Your CV, including details of your qualifications, employment history, skills and experience.
• A personal statement of up to 1,250 words.
• The GSS online multiple-choice test (unless exempt as an existing GSG member).

Important: You must fully complete the qualifications section of the application form, including degree subject, classification, and grade (including predicted results where applicable). Applications with incomplete qualification details may not be progressed.

Your personal statement should provide evidence against each part of the Person Specification. As all criteria are scored, we recommend using clear examples that demonstrate your actions and the impact you achieved.

The GSS online test is a timed assessment and must be completed by midday on the closing date. We strongly recommend reviewing the practice test attached to the advert before taking the live assessment.

If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact us before sitting the test.

Current GSG Members

If you are already a member of the Government Statistician Group (GSG), you are exempt from the GSS online test. Please email your membership number or details to GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk when you submit your application. Once your membership has been verified, your application will progress to the next stage.

Candidates who are successful at the application and test stage will be asked to complete an eligibility form before progressing to interview. Further information will be provided at that stage.

Applications from candidates who do not meet the advertised eligibility requirements may not be progressed.

Stage 2 – Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.

You will be required to complete a coding exercise and deliver this in the form of a 5 minute presentation at interview.

The coding exercise will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage, 1 week prior to interview. This coding exercise will assess candidates against the GSG Competency Framework Data Analysis and Programming and Computing.

Interviews will be conducted in person at Newport and Titchfield offices.

A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Important Dates:

The Sift will be conducted from 23rd November 2026.

Interviews will be conducted from 7th December 2026.

Dates are subject to change.

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

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