Principal Data Scientist

Welcome to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) careers page.

Job profile for Principal Data Scientist

Manchester 02/08/2026

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Salary £58,178 - £64,501 Contractual hours 36 Basis Full Time Date posted 16/07/2026 Job reference REQ000205

Closing date:02 August 2026

Online assessment:12 - 16 August 2026

Interview dates:02 September(in person)

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) make final decisions on complaints about UK Government departments and the NHS in England. Our work deals with complex, often sensitive issues, where decisions must be fair, well reasoned and backed by evidence. The insight we produce helpsidentifywhere public services fall short and supports real improvement.

At PHSOanalysis matters. Evidence is closely examined, decisions are open to challenge, and methods must stand up to scrutiny. For aSeniorDataScientist, this means working in an environment where explainability, ethics and soundmethodologyare essential, not optional. There is space to influence how data science and AI are used responsibly in a highly accountable setting.

Based in ManchesterCity centre,weofferflexibility built on trust and a culture that values independence, fairness and doing the right thing. If you want to apply yourexpertiseto complex,real worldproblems and see your work shape decisions that affect people's lives,weoffer purpose,challengeand genuine impact.

Therole:

As Principal Data Scientist, you will provideleadership across data science and advanced analytics, ensuring insight is used effectively,ethicallyand transparently to support decision making and service improvement.

You will oversee complex analysis, set standards, and ensure quality in statistical modelling, machine learning, and experimental methods. Working closely with senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams, you will translate complex problems into clear, trusted insight that informs priorities and investment decisions.

Alongside delivery, you will build organisational capability through line management, mentoringand professional leadership. You will act as a trusted advisor on the responsible use of data science and AI, helping embedhigh standards, soundjudgementand confidence in how analytics is used across the organisation.

If you are an experienced data science leader who valueshigh standards, soundjudgementand ethical use of data, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

Thesuccessfulapplicant:

• A postgraduate qualification (Master'sor PhD) in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, ComputerScienceor a closely related field; or Equivalentsenior levelprofessional experience leading production data science work
• Significant practical professional experience delivering data science solutions or advanced analytics in complex environments
• Experience working with the Microsoft data and ML stack including Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Model foundry, and Azure Databricks
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex data science concepts to both technical andnon technicalstakeholders

We recognise the value of lived experience.If you have experienceofcomplainingaboutany public body, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Candidates who have previously applied within the last 6 months are kindly encouraged not to reapply at this time.

We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are:

• Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background
• disabled
• LGBTQ.

Our benefits:

• Civil Service Pension scheme
• 32.5days annual leave(plus bank holidays on top)
• hybridworking,40%office based
• flexible working
• access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors
• comprehensivelearning anddevelopmentprogramme
• employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
• bicycle loan scheme
• season ticket loan
• gym membership subsidy
• paid for professional memberships
• eye test reimbursement.

Inclusion & Wellbeing

Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.

Actions we take to embed this include:

• an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased
• monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels
• providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues
• creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs
• part of the disability confident scheme
• providing reasonable adjustments
• engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.

Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK.

Sponsorship: we are unable to offer sponsorship (we do not have a licence).