Data Scientist
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 29th September 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Grade 7
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Engineering
Science
Other
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has set out a bold new vision as the government agency that provides the science inside UK defence and security. To make this a reality we are looking for a self-motivated, passionate data scientist with experience of working with Large Language Models (LLMs).
The role will include pursuing cutting edge research into LLMs as part of a development team. You will have a desire to deliver world-class science and technology with the sole purpose of keeping the UK, our armed forces, security services, and our citizens, safe and secure.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job description
In this role as a Level 5 you will:
- Ensure compliance with ethical standards, including bias mitigation, transparency and fairness in the data and models used.
- Produce comprehensive technical documentation.
- Work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that LLM work is aligned to overarching project objectives.
- Continuously monitor advancements in LLM and AI research, incorporating the latest techniques and best practices into your work.
In additional to the above, in this role as a level 6 you will:
- Provide confident, timely, impartial, evidence-based specialist advice to customers at all seniorities to enable them to make informed decisions.
- Foster a culture of innovation amongst team members, encouraging experimentation of new LLM architectures, techniques and applications.
- Lead junior data scientists and data engineers, fostering a positive culture of continuous development.
Safety:
- Pro-actively support safe working practices, appreciating the need for colleague welfare is the top priority for Dstl. You will take responsibility for working safely and report on any practices, no matter how big or small, to mitigate any potential risks.
Person specification
Experience:
Essential:
Level 5 Dstl Senior Data Scientists must have experience in:
- Working on complex and non-routine problems, including design and development of experiments.
- Confidently leading stakeholder.
- Overseeing the technical, ethical and safety aspects of projects and standards of work.
- Providing timely impartial evidence-based quantified assessments of LLM performance to enable informed decisions on how to prioritise subject-matter expert evaluations.
- Confidently communicating research outputs in a manner that is accessible to others.
In addition to the above at Level 6 Dstl Principal Data Scientists must have experience in:
- Providing direction and guidance to colleagues through technical leadership, in order to ensure delivery of high impact solutions.
- Provide rigorous technical review to ensure research is fit for purpose, innovative and of high quality.
- Act as a subject matter expert in LLMs across Dstl, Ministry Of Defence, UK Government, and the wider Defence and Security landscape, including potentially briefing senior officials to ensure robust decision-making.
If you are a current Dstl employee you must ensure your line manager is aware of your application and the potential situation regarding release dates, if successful and a start date is not agreed it could result in the job offer being withdrawn.
Leadership:
As a leader in Defence you will help shape, role model and bring to life the ‘One Defence’ mindset that will enable us to deliver our vision and strategic objectives. Your leadership style must be inspiring, confident and empowering. Working at every level of our organisation to break down silos, unite teams and create a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive. Enabling us to deliver with pace and agility through the skills, commitment and empowerment of our employees and military colleagues.
Important Information:
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.
Location/Working Pattern:
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of workplace and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
Benefits
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing 30th September 2024 with interviews to take place week commencing 14th October 2024. Interviews will take place either online via MS Teams or face to face at Dstl Porton Down.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Dstl Recruitment
- Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
