Principal Data Scientist

Job summary

Shape the future of data science and AI at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), a world leading hydrographic agency that has been helping people safely navigate the oceans for over 200 years. As a Principal Data Scientist, you will combine hands-on technical work with scientific leadership, turning complex data into practical solutions.

Join our established Data Science and AI team and tackle varied challenges using hydrographic, oceanographic, ship-tracking, satellite, lidar and unstructured data. You will use techniques including statistical modelling, deep learning, computer vision and large language models. You will have the freedom to select methods according to the problem, available data and operational requirements, rather than just following technology trends.

This is an opportunity to influence technical direction while staying close to the science and code. You will bring strong mathematics, statistics and machine-learning expertise, programming skills, preferably in Python, and the ability to connect organisational ambition with achievable outcomes.

You will contribute to the development and practical application of AI strategy, policy and assurance. You will help establish proportionate evaluation, documentation and monitoring approaches, making the limitations and risks of analytical outputs clear. Where solutions support navigation or Defence activities, you will work with subject matter experts to ensure that testing reflects their intended use and that appropriate human oversight is maintained.

You will work in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment that values curiosity, constructive challenge and learning through experimentation. If you want to combine technical depth, collaboration and leadership with the opportunity to build useful, sustainable capabilities, this role offers the scope to make a lasting contribution.

Hybrid working

This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK. Office attendance is required in accordance with business need.

Part-time hours may be considered for this role (minimum of 0.8 FTE - 29.6 hours per week)

Job description

• Set the technical direction for the Data Science team, with your peers, own, build and maintain an effective and sustainable data science function
• Lead multiple projects, contribute to their progression, and support team members in experimentation and discovery
• Guide, develop and deliver advanced analysis, machine learning and practical automation. Improve operational workflows and modernise analytical solutions into repeatable, reusable and maintainable capabilities
• Communicate results to a wide range of stakeholders to define problems, shape solutions and communicate benefits
• Lead stakeholder engagement and develop internal and external collaborations
• Ensure scientific rigour, technical quality and proportionate AI assurance. Design means and metrics for measuring delivery efficacy.

Person specification

• History of working with users and stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions
• Previous experience leading a team or projects
• Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs / generative AI desirable.
• Strong coding and development ability, for example Python, version control
• Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
• Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement
• Excellent communicator able to navigate stakeholders and organisational silos
• History of developing junior members and supporting their work

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Highly competent in Data Science techniques, statistical analysis, machine learning and/or predictive modelling. Experience with LLMs / generative AI desirable.
• Familiar with MLOps concepts, experiment tracking and versioning data
• Skilled at choosing the right method for the task at hand and iterative improvement

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,558, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £18,412 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply:

When you click 'Apply now' you will be asked to upload your ANONYMISED CV and give a 500 word statement on the shortlist criteria listed below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 22/11/2026
• Shortlisting: week commencing: w/c 30/11/2026
• Interviews: week commencing: w/c 07/12/2026

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Pre-sift Criteria:

• Relevant data science experience – degree or masters in data science or similar numerate/ STEM subject and/or experience of applying data science in a workplace demonstrated by evidence of running and end to end data science project in a workplace context - assessed from your CV and Personal Statement.

Please note if your application does not meet this pre-sift criteria, it will not be taken through to be scored against the shortlist criteria below.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• Evidence of practical data science in a working environment, leading complex data science projects (lead criteria used in the event of a large volume of applications)
• Demonstration of meeting the Person Specification

We will use both your CV and supporting statement to assess against the above criteria.