Principal Analytical Data Scientist

Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!

We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact.

Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.

Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.

Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence

Further information can be found on our website here

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

Become part of a Bigger Picture

The Data Analysis and Evidence Strategy Team is embedded within a vast Research and Analysis group, boasting 45 professionals and counting across various analytical disciplines. Our Deputy Director even leads the Social Research profession as Head of Profession!

Now is an exciting time to get involved and join a rapidly growing team to help craft our thinking around using data to develop new insights into product safety. We have a strong commitment to learning and development and are not afraid to try new and innovative approaches.

Are you ready to make a tangible impact on public safety?

We are seeking a skilled Data Science Lead to join our dynamic team and help shape the future of product safety in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your analytical expertise and drive positive change.

Your Role

You will be leading the charge in utilising data science to pinpoint and mitigate product safety hazards. Your role will involve spearheading pilot projects to determine the most valuable applications of data science within the organisation, then scaling successful initiatives into full production.

Your efforts will be instrumental in informing policy and safeguarding consumers, as you collaborate with teams across OPSS to uncover ways to employ data science techniques for generating insights, enhancing procedures, and detecting product safety risks.

• Identifying and Seizing Data Science Opportunities: Proactively search for and identify data science projects that can significantly improve OPSS's operations.


• Leading Data Science Projects with Precision take the reins on data science projects, from initial conception to successful implementation.


• Resolve complex data challenges with finesse, including analysing messy and free-text data and building models to uncover hidden patterns.


• Streamline processes involving data comprehension, boosting efficiency and accuracy.


• Masterfully manage project tasks: allocate resources strategically, and forge strong connections with internal and external stakeholders.


• Co-Leading the Data Science Team: Jointly lead with another Data Scientist, supervising two data scientists and delegating tasks for your projects


• Ensuring Quality and Excellence in Your Team's Work: maintain the highest standards by implementing rigorous quality assurance measures and championing coding best practices.


• Disseminating Insights with Impact: Share your team's findings throughout the organisation to foster positive change


• Present Analysis to senior leaders with clarity and conviction, develop informative dashboards, and empower the organisation to understand the transformative power of data science and AI.


• Staying Ahead of the Curve: Stay informed about the latest developments in your field by actively engaging and networking with analysts across DBT and beyond.