Data Scientist

Scottish Water’s Analytics Team is looking to hire a talented Data Scientist with a good degree from a leading university and hands-on experience of applying advanced analytical techniques.

The Analytics Team develops innovative asset management models and tools that are among the best in the water industry. These tools help shape the future direction of water and waste water services across Scotland by predicting risk and by determining when, where and how much to invest to improve customer service efficiently.  The team also provides a highly respected internal 'consultancy' service that covers a wide variety of exciting analytical challenges, ranging from estimating how much water a cow drinks to measuring the benefits of different water efficiency mechanisms.

The Analytics Team is immensely passionate and proud of the work that they do and their aim is to continually improve on what can be done with data and methods to deliver cutting-edge models, tools and business intelligence. The team fosters a friendly and relaxed working environment which bestows trust and promotes collaboration; where Data Scientists are given freedom to innovate and act on their ideas while being encouraged to work closely with their colleagues to maximise the value of their solutions. In addition, a large proportion of a Data Scientist’s time is set aside for self-development activities to allow them to keep abreast of the latest research in industry and universities.

 This role will suit a person with the following skills and experience:

• An ability to extract patterns, trends or models from real-world data sets.

• An ability to translate complex analytical outcomes into business intelligence that can be easily understood by others.

• Strong communication skills with experience of stakeholder management.

• Degree (or an MSc or PhD desirable) in a numerate discipline such as Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Operational Research.

• Experience of using statistical programming languages such as R (highly desirable), SAS, SPSS, MATLAB. Individuals with an additional strong programming background will have an advantage.

• 3+ years experience of applying a wide range of analytical techniques in a business setting (water industry experience is not essential but desirable) or in a research-based role within a university or equivalent.

• Practical experience of two or more of the following: principle components analysis, cluster analysis, sample size calculation, ANOVA, regression analysis, decision tree analysis, Markov processes, survival analysis, predictive asset management techniques, Bayesian methods, knowledge elicitation techniques, optimisation.

Joining the Analytics Team as a Data Scientist would provide you with a varied, challenging and rewarding career. It would also provide you with an excellent opportunity to further develop your skills in a business that not only provides vital public services but also offers analytical challenges that are unique in scale, concept and strategic importance.

The role is based at Scottish Water’s head office in Dunfermline, which provides easy access to and from the centre of Edinburgh. The role offers a competitive salary, annual out performance bonus, 31 days annual leave plus public holidays, pension and other benefits.

For Further information please contact Robert Murray on 07436284565

Closing date for applications is Friday 11^th October 2013.