Associate Data Scientist Ref. 3748

Job Description

Flexible working: we support full time, part time (minimum three days per week), compressed hours, job share and other flexible working patterns. Due to the sensitive nature of the role, remote, hybrid or home working is limited to one day per week.

About us
We're MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The role
As AI adoption accelerates across MI6’s most mission critical areas, this role offers a rare opportunity to work at the point where data, AI and technology are reshaping how complex, real world problems are understood and addressed. As an Associate Data Scientist, you’ll join established data science and AI teams working on challenging problems that directly support MI6’s mission.

Working primarily under the supervision of more senior data scientists and engineers, the focus of the role is on learning through contribution. You’ll build your technical capability, develop confidence working with ambiguous problems and apply data science techniques in practical, meaningful ways.

Much of the work involves engaging with mission teams to understand loosely defined problems and explore where data science can add value. You’ll research problems using a range of sources, critically evaluate findings and collaborate with others to design, test and improve solutions. This may include analysing data, building and iterating models, or supporting the use of AI in both defensive and operational contexts.

Day to day, you’ll work with both technical and non technical colleagues. This might involve helping mission teams frame the right questions, explaining findings clearly or refining solutions based on user feedback. As your confidence grows, you’ll develop a stronger understanding of how data science fits into complex systems and take on greater responsibility as part of the team.

About you
You’re curious, motivated and keen to build a career in data science and AI. At this stage, we don’t expect you to arrive with a fully polished skillset. What matters most is a strong foundation, evidence of learning and a genuine interest in how data and technology can be used to tackle complex problems.

Your background might be in data science or another technical discipline, or you may be a career changer with transferable skills. We’re equally interested in candidates from STEM, linguistics or other analytical fields where structured thinking, numeracy or problem solving are central. If you can reason carefully, work with data and are open to learning new technical skills, you’ll have the foundations we’re looking for.

You can demonstrate experience with programming through study, work, independent projects or self directed learning. Python is commonly used, though experience with other programming languages is also relevant. You’re comfortable experimenting, researching solutions and building an understanding of how systems work.

You enjoy working as part of a team and are comfortable learning under supervision. Much of the role involves working with non technical colleagues, so you’re able to explain ideas clearly and ask thoughtful questions to understand what’s really being asked.

Above all, you’re adaptable, proactive and committed to developing your skills, with a clear interest in data science and AI beyond formal study.

Training and development
We place a strong emphasis on learning and development, particularly for those at an early stage in their data science career. On joining, you’ll receive a structured induction tailored to your experience, introducing you to the team, our data, technologies and ways of working, and helping you understand how data science supports MI6’s mission.

Much of your development will be driven through practical experience. You’ll work on live projects alongside more experienced data scientists and engineers, with guidance and supervision to help you build confidence and capability. Alongside team delivery, time is set aside for learning, experimentation and independent research, allowing you to explore new tools, techniques and approaches.

You’ll have access to a range of training opportunities covering both technical and professional skills. This includes internal learning, external courses and support towards recognised qualifications, such as AWS certifications and accredited Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (formerly DDaT) Data Science skills. [Penna add link: Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework]

Support is built into the role. You’ll work closely with your line manager and colleagues as part of a welcoming team, and you’ll have opportunities to connect with others at a similar career stage across the wider organisation. Development in this role focuses on building strong foundations, growing confidence and preparing you to take on increasing responsibility as your skills develop.

Rewards and benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £49,937 plus other benefits including:

• 25 days of annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• an interest-free season ticket loan
• an excellent pension scheme
• a cycle to work scheme
• facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• paid parental and adoption leave

Equal opportunities
At MI6 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

Offer Of Interview
We are committed to providing equitable opportunities throughout the recruitment process to support candidates with disabilities. As part of this, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to do so. (This is known as the Offer of an Interview.) To secure an interview for this role, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:

• You will be required to reach the minimum pass mark for the Situational Judgement Test which looks at your ability to problem solve. If you meet this criterion, you will be directed to complete an application form
• You have a background in STEM, linguistics or other analytical field and can demonstrate your aptitude for structured thinking, numeracy or problem solving. (This does not need to have been in a formal education setting.) – to be assessed at application sift
• You can demonstrate an ability to write computer scripts or software to help you achieve a goal in a structured way. – to be assessed at application sift
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and professionally with others, including colleagues with differing perspectives or approaches to tasks. To be assessed at application sift

There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best, see our website for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer

What to expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

1. An initial online application form including pre-screening questions to ensure you meet our eligibility criteria
2. Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) rating the appropriateness of your responses to a series of short scenarios. The SJT tests criteria important for all roles in our organisation
3. Application sift looking at your skills and motivation for the role and organisation
4. An online HR interview focusing on motivation and competencies important to the role
5. If successful at the HR interview, you will be invited to a face-to-face technical assessment. (Please note the role maps to “Associate Data Scientist” on the aforementioned GDDPC framework. We will assess you against this framework by asking questions about your previous projects and experiences.)
6. If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before you apply
To work at MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Find out more about the vetting process.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more securely.

The role is based in Central London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment.

We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-person appointments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be provided with your interview or assessment invitation.

Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in line with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hardcopy receipts for reimbursement.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

Right to withdraw statement:
Please be aware that we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.