Assistant 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 27th August at 12pm. We'd love to see you!

Job description

Our Assistant Methodologists help shape the quality, reliability and impact of statistics across government. They carry out research and analysis, develop and improve statistical methods, and provide advice and guidance to colleagues, policymakers and partners.

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

Depending on your skills, experience and the vacancies available, you’ll primarily work within one methodological specialism, while also having opportunities to contribute to a wide range of projects supporting 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
• Sample design 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, supporting quality reviews, providing advice and consultancy, delivering training, and building capability through cross-government collaboration.

Methods and Statistical Design Division Helps ensure ONS statistics are underpinned by robust methodology and high- quality statistical design. The division develops and improves methods, explores innovative solutions, and supports the delivery of trusted, efficient statistics.

Methods and Analysis Capability Division Supports analytical capability across government by developing technical training, driving continuous improvement and innovation in analytical methods, and working across the Analysis Function and Government Statistical Service (GSS) to improve statistical standards and collaboration. In addition, the division also supports social statistics projects with cross-cutting methodological qualitative and quantitative research.

What you’ll do as an Assistant Methodologist

Assistant Methodologists work on clearly defined statistical and methodological projects, applying analytical skills, judgement and technical knowledge to improve the quality and value of statistics.

You’ll:

• Carry out statistical research and analysis on a range of well-defined projects
• Apply appropriate methods to investigate options and solve analytical problems
• Help develop, test and improve statistical methodologies
• Communicate findings through reports, presentations and stakeholder discussions
• Work collaboratively with customers, colleagues and multidisciplinary teams
• Contribute to specialist methodology teams and wider project groups
• Share your knowledge and support others as your experience develops
• Manage your own work with support, guidance and training from experienced colleagues

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 support decisions across government.

As an HEO, you’ll receive structured support, training and professional development to help you build your methodological skills and grow your career within ONS.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

For Assistant Methodologists, we expect candidates to demonstrate the following essential criteria in your personal statement

We will assess you against these essential criteria in your personal statement:

• Demonstrable experience in conducting research, analysing statistical data, and effectively disseminating statistical findings.
• Strong aptitude for statistical programming, ideally with experience using software such as SAS, R, Python, Stata, or similar. Willingness and ability to learn new programming languages as required.
• A keen eye for detail and an inquisitive mindset, with a natural curiosity to understand systems and processes, and a strong desire to learn and grow professionally.
• A proactive and innovative approach to developing new methods and applications, with proven problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs within specified deadlines, both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present statistical results clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.

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:

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

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 £35,144, Office for National Statistics co