Data Scientist

Police Scotland’s purpose is to improve the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities. Working within the Data Science Centre of Excellence, part of the Chief Data Office, you will make a real difference by developing and implementing data science solutions to support Officers and Staff across the second largest police force in the UK.

We believe our people are our most important asset and investing in them is fundamental to the success of introducing new and emerging solutions to our front-line.

About the Role

Police Scotland are expanding our Data Science team, in order to develop and deploy solutions which digitally enable our Staff and Officers, deliver proactive capability and innovate responsibly to meet policing challenges.

This role sits in the Chief Data Office, the department responsible for data across the whole organisation, including Data Science, Data Ethics, Data Governance and Information Assurance. As a Data Scientist, you will work in partnership with other technical experts to provide data-driven insights and build products which improve the performance and operational decision-making of the force.

You will be expected to engage with and provide subject area expertise to a range of policing areas, at both a tactical and strategic level. You will lead on the scoping of problems and collation of requirements, utilising your experience and skills to suggest best practice approaches. You will build and test operational solutions, championing good data governance and the use of data more widely. You will be required to conduct all work in a manner that is transparent, secure and ethical.

We recognise the value in personal development and the requirement to keep up-to-date in this field of work, and as such we will support you in building valuable skills through protected development time, tailored training plans and personal innovation projects.

You will report to the Data Science Co-Ordinator, line manage an Assistant Data Scientist, and mentor a member of staff undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science.

This is a permanent position and you will be based at our Dalmarnock office in Glasgow. You will work 35 working hours per week, with the option for semi-remote work.

What are we looking for?

• Strong mathematical background with a relevant degree or professional experience.

• Excellent communication skills and an ability to explain technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

• Track record of developing and delivering data science projects and supporting wider capability building.

• Technical skills, including proficiency in SQL and expertise in either R or Python.

• Expertise in one or more areas of advanced statistics or machine learning, ideally with experience in real-world application.

• Experience gathering requirements and managing stakeholder expectations

Strong desire to learn and self-develop.

• Deep understanding of ethical considerations in relation to data science and policing.

Why join Police Scotland?

Data sits at the heart of policing in Scotland, and by working with us you will be able to leverage this to affect positive, material change on our communities and people. Whether that is achieved through process improvements and automation that give Officers more time to focus on core policing duties, or via the development of novel proactive capability, you will get the opportunity to apply your skills and the latest technology to complex and thorny problems that impact some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Police Scotland provide many benefits, including an attractive pension scheme, a range of family friendly policies that promote a good work/life balance, health and wellbeing options including on-site gyms and access to services, and a variety of discounts across major attractions and retailers. This is supplemented by a generous paid leave allowance which increases with service. 

A career in policing will allow you to participate in the positive change you would like to see in society, becoming part of and contributing to the provision of outstanding service across the whole of Scotland.

To find out more and start your application; please click on the s1jobs APPLY button now.