AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra we are looking for a Data Scientist (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract. Remote working. 

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Data Scientist to join our Water Resources team. This role will focus on leveraging Water Resources datasets to develop actionable insights. The successful candidate will work closely with our technical and advisory teams to build robust analytical models and visualisations using Python and Microsoft Fabric.

As a Data Scientist your main responsibilities will be to:

• Analyse Water Resource datasets to identify trends, risks, and opportunities related to water abstraction and drought.
• Develop predictive models and scenario analyses for dry weather and drought planning.
• Apply statistical and machine learning techniques to support decision-making.
• Use Microsoft Fabric to build scalable data pipelines, dashboards, and reports.
• Develop Python-based scripts and applications for data processing, analysis, and visualisation.
• Work alongside Water Resource SME to translate data into meaningful outcomes.
• Present findings to stakeholders in a clear and impactful manner.
• Contribute to the development of data strategies and digital transformation within the team.

Essential:

• Proven experience in data science.
• Strong proficiency in Python for data analysis and modelling.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric or similar data integration platforms.
• Experience with large-scale datasets.
• Ability to communicate complex data insights to non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Experience within environmental or water resource domains.
• Familiarity with large-scale environmental datasets.
• Experience with GIS tools and spatial data analysis.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure) and data engineering concepts.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".