Closing Date:
04/04/2025
Group:
Corporate Group
Management Level:
Associate
Job Type:
Permanent
Job Description:
Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Friday 4 April and therefore we advise getting your application by no later than midnight on Thursday 3 April.
About Ofcom
As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other.
Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.
About the Team
The Data and Information team was established to lead Ofcom's transformation into a data- and insight-driven organisation. The team provide expertise to policy and corporate colleagues in data science, machine learning and engineering.
They also lead work to ensure Ofcom manages its data, information and records appropriately and support the wider community of colleagues in the Data Profession.
Purpose of the Role
We are looking for data talent to join the Data Science and Machine Learning team, a central team that supports all areas of regulatory work, assisting and working alongside colleagues across the organization to ensure that data and evidence underpin the wide variety of work that we do. You will get the opportunity to apply a broad range of methods to many different, real-world problems.
For example, by undertaking proof of concepts to explore the application of deep learning for anomaly detection, combining social media analysis and natural language processing, gen AI and foundation models to understand issues affecting consumers in support of policy development, or developing new ways to visualize and enable users to interact with our monitoring and reporting data.
The team also leads on developing and sharing insights on methods, tools and processes in support of the data and research community across Ofcom. Collaborating with our stakeholders and external organizations continually develop our understanding of the areas in which we work and the methods and technologies we can apply.
Your key responsibilities
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To work collaboratively with colleagues in the Data Innovation Hub, policy and operational teams to understand where data science can add value and support the delivery of innovative projects.
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Source, access, manipulate and engineer data across a range of sources and data formats for insights and analysis, working with stakeholders and data engineers as appropriate.
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Work on development of credible AI/ML and data science solutions from a range of data sources and use best coding practices to generate accurate, reproducible work in an agile way.
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Explore and visualise data to present a story in a meaningful way and communicate insights to a range of technical and non-technical audiences with impact.
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Maintain an awareness of, and utilise an evolving range of data analysis tools like NLP, LLMs, including open-source libraries, techniques and be able to learn and deploy new skills as and when required.
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Ensure compliance with relevant data and information security principles.
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Work with project and line managers to design new projects, take ownership of the projects or part of a programme and ensure that they are delivered on time and as expected.
The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success
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A range of appropriate data and analytic tools (such as Python, R, Power BI, Azure Databricks, or equivalent), and cloud computing environments.
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Knowledge of LLMs, Gen AI libraries like langchain, huggingface, torch and LLM related concepts.
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Awareness and some experience of number of different data science methods, their appropriate application, strengths and limitations. (For example, but not limited to: data exploration, statistical modelling, automation, clustering/segmentation, anomaly detection, visualisation etc).
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Applying scientific methods through experimental design, exploratory data analysis and hypothesis testing to reach robust conclusions.
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Exploring and advocating ways of utilising new data science tools and techniques to tackle business and organisational challenges, drawing on the application of, and innovation in communication services industries, academia, and other sectors.
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Building solutions: Helping solve business problems through analysis to deliver tangible outcomes.
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Channelling influence: Strong interpersonal skills and evidence of ability to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders to communicate technical concepts and analytical results.
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Harmonising work: Working as part of a team, and independently, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability, and supporting a culture of collaboration and trust.
Qualifications
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Degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills, such as Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics (this is not a definitive list).
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Experience in data science or equivalent role.
Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here. https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/
