Advanced Data Scientist

Job summaryAre you passionate about using data science to improve population health and reduce health inequalities?Public Health Wales is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Advanced Data Scientist to join our growing Data Science Team. This is an exciting opportunity to apply advanced analytical and data science techniques to support national public health priorities across Wales.Main duties of the jobYou will work on a wide range of projects, including statistical and simulation modelling, machine learning, predictive analytics and data engineering. The role offers the opportunity to work with modern cloud-based technologies, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and help shape the future of data science within Public Health Wales. We are looking for someone with strong R and/or Python skills, experience in delivering data science projects, and the ability to communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Experience with cloud platforms, version control and collaborative development practices would be advantageousIn return, we offer flexible working, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a real impact on public health outcomes for the people of Wales.About usWe are Public Health Wales - the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/DetailsDate posted28 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salary
50,129 to 57,365 a year

per annum

ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number028-HS032-1026Job locationsCapital Quarter 2Tyndall StreetCardiffCF10 4BZUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesYou will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesYou will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

EssentialA Master's degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.Data security, platform security, confidentiality and ethical use of data and models (e.g. bias, transparency), including the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott principles and statistical disclosure control.DesirablePublic health challengesCode of Practice for Official Statistics or an equivalent quality framework

Experience

EssentialDelivering timely, innovative data science projects end to end, from scoping to handover, working with stakeholders from the start to gather requirements and understand and meet user needsWorking in multidisciplinary teams using Agile methods, and across organisational and professional boundariesCoaching, mentoring or training others in data scienceDesirableLine management and staff developmentLeading Agile delivery (e.g. running sprints, managing a backlog)

Skills

EssentialAdvanced R and/or Python, following good practice in coding, documentation, automation and reproducible analytical pipelinesProficient in Git and GitHub (or similar) for version control, collaborative development and code reviewSpecialist knowledge and application of statistical and data science methods, such as projections, statistical and simulation modelling, machine learning (supervised and unsupervised, NLP), econometrics, regression and causal inference, including model validation and communicating uncertaintyData management and engineering skills, such as working with complex, high-volume, structured and unstructured data; SQL/NoSQL databases; data linkage; and APIsWorking knowledge of cloud platforms, ideally Google Cloud (e.g. BigQuery, Cloud Storage), including building and documenting data pipelines.Communicating complex work clearly to technical and non-technical audiences through presentations, writing and data visualisationDesirableUsing GitHub Projects boards to manage work and GitHub Pages to publish documentation

Personal Attributes

EssentialEnthusiastic, can-do attitude with a commitment to learning and developing own skillsStrong planning and organisation; manages multiple projects and competing priorities to deadlines, including under pressureWorks on own initiative and as a team player, building good relationships at all levels through negotiation and diplomacyFlexible in applying skills to clinical and scientific prioritiesWilling to travelDesirableAbility to work in challenging or difficult circumstances Ability to speak Welsh

Other

EssentialAbility to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skillsPrepared to travel
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

EssentialA Master's degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.Data security, platform security, confidentiality and ethical use of data and models (e.g. bias, transparency), including the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott principles and statistical disclosure control.DesirablePublic health challengesCode of Practice for Official Statistics or an equivalent quality framework

Experience

EssentialDelivering timely, innovative data science projects end to end, from scoping to handover, working with stakeholders from the start to gather requirements and understand and meet user needsWorking in multidisciplinary teams using Agile methods, and across organisational and professional boundariesCoaching, mentoring or training others in data scienceDesirableLine management and staff developmentLeading Agile delivery (e.g. running sprints, managing a backlog)

Skills

EssentialAdvanced R and/or Python, following good practice in coding, documentation, automation and reproducible analytical pipelinesProficient in Git and GitHub (or similar) for version control, collaborative development and code reviewSpecialist knowledge and application of statistical and data science methods, such as projections, statistical and simulation modelling, machine learning (supervised and unsupervised, NLP), econometrics, regression and causal inference, including model validation and communicating uncertaintyData management and engineering skills, such as working with complex, high-volume, structured and unstructured data; SQL/NoSQL databases; data linkage; and APIsWorking knowledge of cloud platforms, ideally Google Cloud (e.g. BigQuery, Cloud Storage), including building and documenting data pipelines.Communicating complex work clearly to technical and non-technical audiences through presentations, writing and data visualisationDesirableUsing GitHub Projects boards to manage work and GitHub Pages to publish documentation

Personal Attributes

EssentialEnthusiastic, can-do attitude with a commitment to learning and developing own skillsStrong planning and organisation; manages multiple projects and competing priorities to deadlines, including under pressureWorks on own initiative and as a team player, building good relationships at all levels through negotiation and diplomacyFlexible in applying skills to clinical and scientific prioritiesWilling to travelDesirableAbility to work in challenging or difficult circumstances Ability to speak Welsh

Other

EssentialAbility to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skillsPrepared to travelDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer namePublic Health WalesAddressCapital Quarter 2Tyndall StreetCardiffCF10 4BZUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer namePublic Health WalesAddressCapital Quarter 2Tyndall StreetCardiffCF10 4BZUnited KingdomEmployer's website