Senior Data Scientist Jobs

Experienced professionals who lead data-driven decision-making. They design and implement complex models to extract actionable insights from large datasets.

Open roles
8
Salary range
£45k – £135k
Hiring companies
6

Senior Data Scientists are the backbone of data-driven organisations. They are responsible for designing and implementing advanced statistical models, conducting in-depth data analysis, and translating complex data insights into actionable strategies. These professionals work closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business leaders, to drive data-informed decisions. They often lead projects, mentor junior data scientists, and ensure that data science practices are aligned with business goals.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Senior Data Scientist

A typical week is a mix of hands-on data analysis, project management, and collaboration with stakeholders.

  1. 01
    Analyse large datasets using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.
  2. 02
    Develop and validate predictive models to support business decisions.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project requirements and deliverables.
  4. 04
    Present findings and recommendations to senior management.
  5. 05
    Mentor junior data scientists and provide technical guidance.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest data science trends and tools.
Salary on the board

£45k – £135k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 18 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Senior
45
135
18 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 16 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
88%
Machine Learning
63%
SQL
50%
Pandas
31%
Data Science
25%
PyTorch
19%
NLP
19%
Generative AI
19%
Statistical Analysis
19%
NumPy
13%
Experimentation
13%
Databricks
13%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for senior data scientists. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Data Scientist

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in data collection, cleaning, and basic analysis. Contribute to small projects under supervision.

  2. Level 2

    Data Scientist

    2–5 yrs

    Lead data analysis projects, develop predictive models, and communicate insights to stakeholders.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Data Scientist

    5–8 yrs

    Design and implement complex data models, manage projects, and mentor junior team members.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Data Scientist

    8+ yrs

    Strategise data science initiatives, lead large-scale projects, and influence organisational data strategy.

Pathway

How to become a Senior Data Scientist

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Gain foundational skills

    Start with a strong foundation in statistics, programming, and data analysis. Gain experience through internships or entry-level roles.

  2. 2

    Specialise in data science

    Focus on advanced statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualisation. Work on projects that require in-depth data analysis.

  3. 3

    Lead projects and teams

    Take on leadership roles in data science projects. Manage teams, mentor junior data scientists, and ensure project success.

  4. 4

    Influence organisational strategy

    Shape the data science strategy of your organisation. Lead large-scale initiatives and drive data-driven decision-making at the executive level.

  5. 5

    Stay current with trends

    Continuously update your skills and knowledge. Stay informed about the latest data science tools, techniques, and industry trends.

Live jobs

8 live roles

Faculty AI logo

Senior Data Scientist

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will lead high-impact AI projects, define data science approaches, and mentor junior colleagues. You will work on-site with defence clients 2-4 days per week, designing robust software architectures and building client relationships.

Faculty AI London, United Kingdom
Remote Permanent Flexible Clearance Required
Faculty AI logo

Senior Data Scientist

As a Senior Data Scientist at Faculty AI, you will lead high-impact AI projects, define data science approaches, and design robust software architectures. You will mentor junior colleagues, build client relationships, and contribute to the company's thought leadership through public speaking and open-source projects.

Faculty AI London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Scientist

This role involves leading the development of predictive analytics models for an AI-first education technology platform. Responsibilities include designing feature engineering pipelines, validating classification and regression models, and ensuring robust and explainable outputs. The position offers a remote-first, flexible work environment with a focus on impactful contributions to the education sector.

Opus Recruitment Solutions London, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa
Remote Permanent Flexible

Senior Data Scientist

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will lead the delivery of advanced data science capabilities, working on innovative projects to help customers unlock value from complex datasets. You will mentor colleagues, shape the future direction of the data science team, and collaborate closely with project leads and customers to develop and deliver high-quality solutions.

MASS Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom £45,000 – £65,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required

Senior Data Scientist

This role involves designing and building end-to-end machine learning systems that automatically generate, deploy, and improve custom models for individual customers. You'll work with large-scale behavioural data, applying advanced ML techniques and experimentation to drive product impact. The position offers technical ownership and direct influence on product strategy within a high-growth startup environment.

Data Idols London, United Kingdom £85,000 – £95,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Scientist

This role involves working on complex pricing problems in the insurance industry, building predictive models to understand risk and customer behavior, and translating analysis into commercial recommendations. The data scientist will have clear ownership of their work and direct impact on business outcomes.

Harnham - Data and Analytics Recruitment London, United Kingdom £100,000 – £130,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Research Data Scientist

As a Senior Research Data Scientist, you will lead the development of advanced AI models and capabilities, focusing on transformer-based architectures and generative AI. You will collaborate with senior leaders, engineers, and academic partners to translate innovative research into scalable solutions that drive business value and strategic growth.

dunnhumby London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent

Senior Applied Data Scientist

As a Senior Applied Data Scientist, you will lead and deliver complex data science projects, applying machine learning and human creativity to solve real-world business problems. You will work closely with the Tesco Personalisation team to develop and deploy scalable personalisation solutions, collaborating with a team of 30+ data scientists.

dunnhumby London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

  • Essential skills include advanced statistics, machine learning, programming (Python, R), data visualisation, and strong communication abilities.

  • Gain experience in leading projects, developing complex models, and mentoring junior team members. Continuously improve your technical and leadership skills.

  • Responsibilities include designing and implementing advanced data models, managing data science projects, and mentoring junior data scientists.

  • A Senior Data Scientist has more experience, leads projects, and mentors junior team members. They also have a broader impact on organisational data strategy.

  • Salary ranges can vary widely based on experience, location, and industry. For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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