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Data Scientist - Life - 12 month FTC
130138
Contract type: 12 month FTC
Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.
Salary: Up to £50,000 depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package
Location: Swindon or London, hybrid working
Closing date for applications: 23rd January 2026
The opportunity:
Data is central to our work at Zurich, and we seek a talented individual to join our data science team focusing on topics related to our Life products and area. You will collaborate with data, AI and business experts to support data‑led decisions, impacting the entire organization. Our data & AI journey is entering an exciting new stage, and you can help shape its future. We aim to put people and their data at the heart of our strategy, enabling swift, outcome‑focused decisions. You'll work with colleagues to design core systems and data requirements, bringing efficiency and supporting colleagues in using data confidently. We seek someone passionate about AI, data and advanced analytics, willing to challenge the status quo, and proficient in AI/ML in a commercial setting. The ideal candidate is creative, curious, and logical in problem‑solving. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, supportive team working on diverse insurance topics. We value a supportive team culture and independence in work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to your application. We offer flexible working arrangements, including part‑time, flexible hours, job share, remote work, or compressed hours, as we aim to attract the best talent. Discuss your flexibility needs with us during the interview.
Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part‑time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full‑time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.
What will you be doing?
Data Scientist your main responsibilities will involve:
Driving data‑led decision‑making in our business, working with stakeholders to help them understand how data & AI can assist them in meeting their requirements. You will assist colleagues in setting strategy for activities using data & AI, informing on the art‑of‑the‑possible and best‑practice.
The role‑holder will use AI/ML and data science techniques to reduce the need for manual work, including analysis of structured numerical data and application of LLMs and similar tools to unstructured data. They will promote an automation‑first mindset where possible and use data to tell compelling narratives and communicate in simple language to deliver tangible impact. This will involve using established AI technologies and exploring future AI capabilities.
The role‑holder will be a vocal proponent of both good data & AI practices and will be able to communicate these ideas to non‑experts. They will ensure that high standards of code development are met, including adherence to code management best practices and team policies such as submission and review of pull requests. They will work with the business teams to build knowledge and confidence with data as well as collaborating with colleagues across the Zurich Group internationally to share knowledge and enhance the data analytics capabilities for our collective AI communities.
What are we looking for?
Your skills and experience will ideally include:
- Strong analytical, structured, and interdisciplinary way of thinking and working, including the ability to think creatively with data and being comfortable with complex and ambiguous problem‑solving.
- Enthusiastic to work on problems which have never been attempted before.
- Proficient in Python and modern software development practices within a team of developers e.g. use of Git.
- Experience using SQL and working with databases. Comfortable working with a variety of data sources, both structured and unstructured and very large datasets using distributed computing (e.g. spark).
- Experience working with LLMs to deliver value in a commercial organisation, including how to manage and monitor LLM‑based applications to maximise performance.
- Experience working with cloud technology, ideally Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
- Proven track record of development and deployment of machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning techniques.
- Excellent collaboration and organisation skills.
- Proficient communicator, who is comfortable explaining the value of their work to drive adoption and challenge the status quo, both to technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Comfortable working in a business environment where the answer might not be clear‑cut yet understanding the need to be practical and to deliver for the business.
- Ability to think proactively and ‘join the dots’ across a complex landscape to see the bigger picture.
- An understanding of the importance of team culture, and a demonstrable ability to act as a role model to maintain a culture of curiosity, support and honesty.
Nice to have:
- Knowledge of R or other programming language.
- Knowledge of current UK AI/ML compliance and regulation.
- Experience with AWS Sagemaker
- Experience with Snowflake
- Experience with Databricks
- Experience or knowledge of Life insurance
What will you get in return?
Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.
Who we are:
At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.
With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries , you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long‑standing player in the insurance industry.
We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.
If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.
Our Culture:
At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.
We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.
So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-HYBRID
