Methodologist

Job summary

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.

Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD) ensures that analysis carried out by ONS and the analysis community across government is aligned with the Statistics Authority’s strategic vision and relevant quality standards. We aim to improve the rigour and cost effectiveness of regular statistical outputs and the quality of data used for both statistical purposes and more widely in government. We provide advice and guidance on best practice and ensure that new methodologies deliver improved statistics. We seek to exploit technology and emerging methodologies to research and develop innovative solutions to new and existing issues. We provide a forward-looking, efficient, professional, and accessible service to our stakeholders.

If you want to hear more about ONS, the MQD Directorate or the role then please come along to our webinar on 11th August at 12:30. We'd love to see you!

Job description

Our Methodologists help shape the quality, reliability and impact of statistics across government. They lead research projects, develop innovative methods, and provide expert advice to colleagues, policymakers and external partners.

You'll work alongside specialists across ONS, academia, other government departments and international statistical organisations to solve complex analytical challenges and improve the way statistics are produced and used.

Depending on your skills and experience, you'll primarily work within one methodological specialism while having opportunities to contribute to a wide range of projects that support economic, social and population statistics.

Areas of expertise include:

• Analysis and modelling
• Bayesian methods
• Data linkage
• Editing and imputation
• Machine learning
• Qualitative research
• Questionnaire design
• Quality measurement
• Sampling and estimation
• Statistical disclosure control
• Time series analysis

Where could you be based?

We are recruiting across three divisions within the Methodology and Quality Directorate:

• Quality and Improvement Division
• Improves the quality of statistics and data across government by developing guidance, delivering quality reviews, providing consultancy and building capability through training and cross-government collaboration.
• Methods and Statistical Design Division
• Ensures ONS statistics are underpinned by robust methodology and high-quality statistical design. The division develops innovative solutions, improves existing methods and helps deliver efficient, trusted statistics.
• Methods and Analysis Capability Division
• Supports analytical capability across government by developing technical training, driving innovation in analytical methods and working across the Analysis Function and Government Statistical Service (GSS) to improve statistical standards and collaboration.

What you'll do as an SEO Methodologist

SEO Methodologists typically have experience leading statistical or survey research and may manage or mentor more junior methodologists.

You'll:

• Lead or contribute to methodological research projects
• Apply appropriate analytical and research methods to solve real-world problems
• Develop and improve survey or statistical methodologies
• Communicate findings through reports, presentations and stakeholder engagement
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and customers
• Coach and support colleagues, sharing knowledge and expertise
• Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs independently
• Contribute to strategic methodological initiatives across ONS

What we're looking for

We're interested in candidates with strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills who enjoy solving problems, working with data and improving the way evidence is produced and used.

Whether your background is in statistics, social research, data science, economics, behavioural science or another analytical discipline, you'll have the opportunity to develop your expertise while working on projects that influence decisions across government.

As an SEO, you'll receive ongoing professional development and support, while being trusted to work independently and apply your expertise to complex methodological challenges.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

For SEO-level Methodologist posts, we require our staff to have the following,

• a mathematical and statistical awareness of a broad range of topics, especially in methods related to the production and development of official statistics, as well as a more in-depth understanding of particular areas.
• a track record of applying knowledge, skills and experience to good effect in a range of projects, establishing a proven approach to investigating methodological issues and being innovative in developing solutions.
• experience of guiding, developing and coaching other analysts and quality assuring their work in order to lead a team effectively.
• experience of managing and delivering multiple projects.
• an aptitude to providing statistical consultancy, with experience of working with customers to establish and meet their needs.
• Computer literacy, with a strong aptitude for programming, including substantial experience in independently developing code to perform statistical and methodological analyses using software such as R, SAS, or Python

Qualifications

Essential

A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree (conditional offers may be made for predicted grades) in a mathematical, statistical, or data science discipline, or other subject with substantial statistical or quantitative analytical content .

OR
Clearly demonstrated equivalent experience, knowledge or qualifications may also be considered.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Acquiring Data
• Data Analysis
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,644, Office for National Statistics contributes £12,643 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).

The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefit