Data Scientist

Job summary

If you want to work at the forefront of technology, regulating digital markets and protecting consumers, this role offers the chance to develop cutting-edge data science skills within a supportive team and make a real difference in society.

The CMA is a world-leading competition authority at the forefront of tackling pressing public policy questions, including the regulation of the biggest digital markets. Our mission is to make markets work well in the interests of consumers, businesses, and the economy.

The Data, Technology and Insight Unit (DTI Directorate) encompasses Strategic Insight, Analysis & AI and Technology & Digital. The Directorate provides the CMA with specialist skills and capability to keep pace with fast-moving digital markets, rapidly developing business models and the growing use of data and algorithms.

The Directorate is key to ensuring that the CMA can better access and analyse data (including large-scale or novel data with advanced tools & techniques) and understand firms' increasingly sophisticated use of AI and other emerging technologies.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our Candidate Information Pack

Job description

We are looking for a data scientist who is keen to use their technical skills to provide key insights to help ensure that markets work well, and that consumers are treated fairly. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in using data science in a multi-disciplinary context, working together with other specialists at the CMA, such as economists, behavioural scientists, and lawyers.

You will join an established team of approximately twenty data scientists and data engineers in the Data Science and Data Engineering (DSDE) team, whose remit is to provide analytical support on CMA cases and develop tools to improve how the CMA operates.

We build most of our tools ourselves, on top of open-source software, using our custom analysis platform built on AWS infrastructure. Data scientists in our team have space to explore the use of new, cutting-edge techniques in data processing and machine learning, including large language models and generative AI, for example building and deploying into production agentic applications.

We work in a collaborative way, with a focus on sharing our knowledge and experience across the team.

Examples of recent projects include building a machine learning tool that collects and classifies news articles to support the CMA’s merger investigation team, experimenting with and testing LLMs as part of our digital transformation strategy and using web-scraped data to run a causal study to determine the features in a tech platform’s ranking algorithm. This is an opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic, supportive team working across a range of high-profile digital cases and interesting technologies.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

• Experience of applying data science techniques to real world problems to drive meaningful impact, and the ability to identify and apply suitable technical approaches to achieve this. (Lead Criteria)
• A degree in a quantitative subject or equivalent relevant data science experience.
• Experience with relevant programming languages, in particular Python (experience with another language such as Javascript or R is also welcome) and associated tools and technologies — e.g. Git/GitHub, cloud services such as AWS, generative AI, agentic AI frameworks, or building web applications
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of how to effectively facilitate collaboration and communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A track record of project involvement outside of technical work (e.g. project management, scoping).

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework. Specifically, you will be assessed against the Data Scientist capability framework.
• For current Civil Servants that are members of Government Analytical Professions, you will also be assessed against. GSG: Data Analysis; GSR: Technical skills - analysis and interpretation; GORS: Achieving impact with analysis; GES: Analysis of Data.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,400, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £14,311 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).

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
• A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our Candidate Information Pack

Any move to the CMA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Like many other organisations, we operate a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We want a diverse workforce that reflects the consumers we serve. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnically diverse people, people with a disability, people with diverse gender identities and from people of different ages.

We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer and disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

Our Values

The CMA delivers impactful outcomes for people, business and the UK economy.​ We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence.