Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Data Scientist / Migration + Databricks

UCAS
Gloucester
3 weeks ago
Create job alert

Join to apply for the Data Scientist / Migration + Databricks role at UCAS.


UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges and deliver a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers. We’re a successful and fast‑growing organisation that helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We’re committed to delivering a first‑class service to all of our customers – they’re at the heart of everything we do.


Business Unit Description

The Digital Services business unit is at the heart of UCAS’ technical innovation, data and infrastructure. It focuses on leveraging data science, technology and enterprise architecture to enhance UCAS' digital products and services. The unit develops and improves customer‑centric digital solutions, ensuring seamless and secure online experiences for all users. By providing insightful data and analysis, the unit empowers the Higher Education sector and those interested in the sector with valuable information to make informed decisions.


About The Role

The Data Scientist will apply critical thinking and data science techniques to support a range of outputs, including product development, live services, consultancy, marketing optimisation, digital behaviour analysis and policy research. Reporting to the Principal Data Scientist, you’ll help deliver high‑quality products and insights, championing excellence and innovation in data science. You’ll bring curiosity and a customer focus, clearly communicating your work across the business and externally. You’ll also support the Data Science Strategy Lead in migrating 70+ products to Databricks using Python, prioritising tasks, embedding rigorous testing and collaborating with data teams to ensure smooth delivery of descriptive and predictive analytics.


Responsibilities

  • Explore and analyse data using visualisation, statistical methods and machine learning to generate insights
  • Deliver high‑value analytical products and services on time and to quality standards
  • Support live products and drive continuous improvement through analytics
  • Work collaboratively using agile methods and manage workload to sprint goals
  • Use initiative to deliver workstreams effectively and contribute to innovation
  • Re‑platform products and improve automation and efficiency
  • Present insights to internal and external stakeholders
  • Coach peers and junior data scientists, sharing best practices

Skills, Qualifications, And Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a numerate discipline, such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, operational research, data science, or a related field, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and work experience
  • Good working knowledge of programming in Python and/or R, and the ability to write readable, efficient code
  • A collaborative nature and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences
  • A natural curiosity and drive to find things out that really matter from data
  • Commercially aware and user‑focused, alongside a high level of numerate, analytical and logical thinking
  • Proven experience of developing, testing and deploying statistical, numerical and/or machine‑learning models
  • Experience of coaching peers or junior members of staff

Package

  • Purpose‑driven work in a charity‑led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity
  • Internal training, mentoring and access to industry‑recognised certifications through our development academies
  • Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35‑hour week and flexible contracts
  • 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave
  • Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools
  • On‑site facilities including a subsidised gym, café and free parking at our Cheltenham office
  • Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions and Mental Health First Aiders

Working Arrangements

Is fully remote working an option? Yes


Seniority level

Entry level


Employment type

Full‑time


Job function

Engineering and Information Technology


Industries

Education Administration Programs


Location

Gloucester, England, United Kingdom


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Pricing Data Scientist

Data Scientist (Marketplace Experience)

Senior Data Engineer ( SC Cleared/ SC Eligible )

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer ( SC Cleared/ SC Eligible )

Collections Data Scientist

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Data Science Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK data science hiring has shifted from title‑led CV screens to capability‑driven assessments that emphasise rigorous problem framing, high‑quality analytics & modelling, experiment/causality, production awareness (MLOps), governance/ethics, and measurable product or commercial impact. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for product/data scientists, applied ML scientists, decision scientists, econometricians, growth/marketing analysts, and ML‑adjacent data scientists supporting LLM/AI products. Who this is for: Product/decision/data scientists, applied ML scientists, econometrics & causal inference specialists, experimentation leads, analytics engineers crossing into DS, ML generalists with strong statistics, and data scientists collaborating with platform/MLOps teams in the UK.

Why Data Science Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

Data science once meant advanced statistics, machine learning models and coding in Python or R. In the UK today, it has become one of the most in-demand professions across sectors — from healthcare to finance, retail to government. But as the field matures, employers now expect more than technical modelling skills. Modern data science is multidisciplinary. It requires not just coding and algorithms, but also legal knowledge, ethical reasoning, psychological insight, linguistic clarity and human-centred design. Data scientists are expected to interpret, communicate and apply data responsibly, with awareness of law, human behaviour and accessibility. In this article, we’ll explore why data science careers in the UK are becoming more multidisciplinary, how these five disciplines intersect with data science, and what job-seekers & employers need to know to succeed in this transformed field.

Data Science Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Data Science Department

Data science is one of the most in-demand, dynamic, and multidisciplinary areas in the UK tech and business landscape. Organisations from finance, retail, health, government, and beyond are using data to drive decisions, automate processes, personalise services, predict trends, detect fraud, and more. To do that well, companies don’t just need good data scientists; they need teams with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, workflows, collaboration, and governance. If you're aiming for a role in data science or recruiting for one, understanding the structure of a data science department—and who does what—can make all the difference. This article breaks down the key roles, how they interact across the lifecycle of a data science project, what skills and qualifications are typical in the UK, expected salary ranges, challenges, trends, and how to build or grow an effective team.