Data Scientist

Details ----------- Reference number 475489 Salary £49,400 - £53,200 a DDAT allowance of up to £4750 may be applicable Applicants new to the Civil Service will be recruited at the minimum of the pay band for the grade of the position into which they are appointed. Only in exceptional circumstances will a salary above the minimum be considered, based on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications demonstrated through the recruitment process, and also equity with staff internal to the CMA. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Senior Executive Officer### Contract type Permanent### Business area Data, Technology and Analytics### Type of role Analytical Architecture and Data Digital Statistics### Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time### Number of jobs available 1 Contents ------------ * Location * About the job * Benefits * Things you need to know * Apply and further information Location ------------ Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, ManchesterAbout the job ----------------- 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 .* 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. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive. Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity. You can read more about our values in our Candidate Information Pack 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.### Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.Application and sift stage * As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form. * The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV \& application review), and an interview which will include a live technical test. Arrangements for the technical test and interview will be enclosed in the invitation. * Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.You will first be sifted on the first criteria point (Lead Criteria). If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered. * We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications and take through the highest performing candidates to interview. * Candidates that pass the sift will then be invited to interview, which will include a live technical test. Interview stage * At the CMA we apply a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you and we use the Success Profiles framework assessing the Behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the advert and attached role profile. * During the interview you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the role profile and will be asked questions related to the live technical test. * A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles. Timeline (the dates outlined below are indicative and may be subject to change) * The advert closing date is 24 August 2026 (23:55). We are not able to accept late applications. * The sift is scheduled to take place between 25 August and 01 September 2026. * Interviews will be held from the week commencing 14 September 2026, Reasonable adjustments Our recruitment process is fully inclusive, and we can make adjustments to provide you with the opportunity and support to bring your best self to the recruitment process. This could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews/assessments, or receiving interview questions in advance. We will be happy to discuss any person-centred adjustments you’d like us to make to the process and you can contact us by emailing our dedicated mailbox at adjustments@cma.gov.uk. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.### Security Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.### Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: * UK nationals * nationals of the Republic of Ireland * nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK * nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) * nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) * individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 * Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.### Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .Apply and further information --------------------------------- This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.### Contact point for applicants Job contact : * Name : Serena Connor * Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk Recruitment team * Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk Further information If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.