Principal Data Scientist

Job summary

Closing date: 02 August 2026

Online assessment: 12 – 16 August 2026

Interview dates: 02 September (in person)

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) make final decisions on complaints about UK Government departments and the NHS in England. Our work deals with complex, often sensitive issues, where decisions must be fair, well‑reasoned and backed by evidence. The insight we produce helps identify where public services fall short and supports real improvement.

At PHSO analysis matters. Evidence is closely examined, decisions are open to challenge, and methods must stand up to scrutiny. For a Senior Data Scientist, this means working in an environment where explainability, ethics and sound methodology are essential, not optional. There is space to influence how data science and AI are used responsibly in a highly accountable setting.

Based in Manchester City centre, we offer flexibility built on trust and a culture that values independence, fairness and doing the right thing. If you want to apply your expertise to complex, real‑world problems and see your work shape decisions that affect people’s lives, we offer purpose, challenge and genuine impact.

Job description

The role:

As Principal Data Scientist, you will provide leadership across data science and advanced analytics, ensuring insight is used effectively, ethically and transparently to support decision‑making and service improvement.

You will oversee complex analysis, set standards, and ensure quality in statistical modelling, machine learning, and experimental methods. Working closely with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams, you will translate complex problems into clear, trusted insight that informs priorities and investment decisions.

Alongside delivery, you will build organisational capability through line management, mentoring and professional leadership. You will act as a trusted advisor on the responsible use of data science and AI, helping embed high standards, sound judgement and confidence in how analytics is used across the organisation.

If you are an experienced data science leader who values high standards, sound judgement and ethical use of data, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

Person specification

The successful applicant:

• A postgraduate qualification (Master’s or PhD) in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a closely related field; or Equivalent senior‑level professional experience leading production data science work

• Significant practical professional experience delivering data science solutions or advanced analytics in complex environments

• Experience working with the Microsoft data and ML stack including Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Model foundry, and Azure Databricks

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex data science concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

• Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background

• disabled

• LGBTQ.

Benefits

Our benefits:

• Civil Service Pension scheme

• 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)

• hybrid working, 40% office based

• flexible working

• access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors

• comprehensive learning and development programme

• employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers

• bicycle loan scheme

• season ticket loan

• gym membership subsidy

• paid for professional memberships

• eye test reimbursement.

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

How to apply (and how to do well)

You will answer four scored questions at application stage. We use these to shortlist and longlist, so your answers matter.

• choose real examples (from professional settings)

• focus on what you did, not what “we” did as a group

• explain your thinking: what you looked at, what you decided, and why

• keep it clear and specific, avoid generic statements

Please do not use AI to write your answers. We need to assess your skills, and applications may be rejected if answers appear AI-generated.

If your examples are very short, mostly opinion-based, or don’t describe a specific situation and outcome, you are unlikely to score well.

Inclusion & Wellbeing

Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.

Actions we take to embed this include:

• an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased

• monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels

• providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues

• creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs

• part of the disability confident scheme

• providing reasonable adjustments

• engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

• Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background

• disabled

• LGBTQ.

Contact and important information

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Kevin Clarke, Data Architect, [email removed] (please note Kevin is on annual leave until 28 July and will respond upon his return)

• Interviews: held onsite

• Feedback: we do not offer feedback at application stage

• Right to work: we can only consider candidates