About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about using data science to improve population health and reduce health inequalities?
Public Health Wales is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Advanced Data Scientist to join our growing Data Science Team. This is an exciting opportunity to apply advanced analytical and data science techniques to support national public health priorities across Wales.
Main duties of the job
You will work on a wide range of projects, including statistical and simulation modelling, machine learning, predictive analytics and data engineering. The role offers the opportunity to work with modern cloud-based technologies, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and help shape the future of data science within Public Health Wales. We are looking for someone with strong R and/or Python skills, experience in delivering data science projects, and the ability to communicate complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Experience with cloud platforms, version control and collaborative development practices would be advantageous
In return, we offer flexible working, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a real impact on public health outcomes for the people of Wales.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.
We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- A Master's degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.
- Data security, platform security, confidentiality and ethical use of data and models (e.g. bias, transparency), including the Data Protection Act 2018, the Caldicott principles and statistical disclosure control.
Desirable
- Public health challenges
- Code of Practice for Official Statistics or an equivalent quality framework
Experience
Essential
- Delivering timely, innovative data science projects end to end, from scoping to handover, working with stakeholders from the start to gather requirements and understand and meet user needs
- Working in multidisciplinary teams using Agile methods, and across organisational and professional boundaries
- Coaching, mentoring or training others in data science
Desirable
- Line management and staff development
- Leading Agile delivery (e.g. running sprints, managing a backlog)
Skills
Essential
- Advanced R and/or Python, following good practice in coding, documentation, automation and reproducible analytical pipelines
- Proficient in Git and GitHub (or similar) for version control, collaborative development and code review
- Specialist knowledge and application of statistical and data science methods, such as projections, statistical and simulation modelling, machine learning (supervised and unsupervised, NLP), econometrics, regression and causal inference, including model validation and communicating uncertainty
- Data management and engineering skills, such as working with complex, high-volume, structured and unstructured data; SQL/NoSQL databases; data linkage; and APIs
- Working knowledge of cloud platforms, ideally Google Cloud (e.g. BigQuery, Cloud Storage), including building and documenting data pipelines.
- Communicating complex work clearly to technical and non-technical audiences through presentations, writing and data visualisation
Desirable
- Using GitHub Projects boards to manage work and GitHub Pages to publish documentation
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic, can-do attitude with a commitment to learning and developing own skills
- Strong planning and organisation; manages multiple projects and competing priorities to deadlines, including under pressure
- Works on own initiative and as a team player, building good relationships at all levels through negotiation and diplomacy
- Flexible in applying skills to clinical and scientific priorities
- Willing to travel
Desirable
- Ability to work in challenging or difficult circumstances Ability to speak Welsh
Other
Essential
- Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skills
- Prepared to travel
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Public Health Wales
Address
Capital Quarter 2
Tyndall Street
Cardiff
CF10 4BZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)