Associate Data Scientist

ICF Olson; Madrid; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a data science professional to join a growing team delivering data-driven insights for UK and EU clients. You will work with data scientists and subject matter experts to prepare data, test approaches, and build prototypes, communicating results clearly to colleagues and clients.

You will gain exposure to the consulting process, learning to translate client questions into practical analyses and to present findings to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Hands-on data science experience from project, internship, or work.
• Experience using Python in professional, academic, or personal projects.
• Background in statistics and common ML methods.
• Careful data quality, documentation, and reproducible code.
• Willingness to learn version control and collaborative development practices.
• Curiosity about real client problems; able to explain thinking in clear English.
• Degree or equivalent experience in quantitative or social science.

Responsibilities

• Understand project questions, data, and outputs.
• Clean, combine and explore datasets; document assumptions.
• Build and compare simple models; evaluate accuracy and bias.
• Prepare charts and concise findings for colleagues and clients.

Skills

Python

Statistics

ML methods

Data viz

Git

AI/LLMs

English

Education

Degree in quantitative field

Tools

Git

Cloud services

Data viz

Job description

The opportunity ICF supports governments and organisations on challenges in areas such as energy, the environment, aviation, health and public policy.

Our data science team works with subject matter experts to turn evidence and data into practical solutions for clients in the UK and EU.

You will join an established team and contribute to data science and AI work across varied client projects. Working with more experienced colleagues, you will prepare data, test analytical approaches, help develop prototypes and communicate what the results mean.

You will gain exposure to the consulting process, learning how to turn complex client questions into practical analyses and communicate findings to a range of audiences.

What you will do

Work with data scientists and subject matter experts to understand project questions, available data and appropriate outputs.

Clean, combine and explore datasets, write clear Python and document your assumptions and checks.

Build and compare straightforward statistical or machine learning models, use suitable baselines and help evaluate accuracy, limitations and potential bias.

Contribute to prototypes using methods suited to the problem, including language models where appropriate, and test outputs carefully before sharing them.

Prepare charts, concise written findings and presentation material, explain your work to colleagues and, with support, to clients and subject matter experts.

Use feedback and code review to improve your work, and contribute to reproducible project files and team knowledge sharing.

What you will bring

Hands-on experience applying data science through a project, research, internship or commercial work.

Experience using Python gained through employment, an internship, research or substantial personal or academic projects.

A grounding in statistics and common machine learning methods, such as regression or classification, and experience of training, testing and model evaluation.

Care with data quality, documentation and clear, reproducible code, willingness to learn version control and collaborative development practices.

Curiosity about real client problems, willingness to ask questions and ability to explain your thinking in clear written and spoken English.

A relevant degree or equivalent practical experience in a quantitative or social science field.

Useful additional experience Exposure to public policy, government, research or evaluation.

Hands-on exploration of large language models, including checking responses against source material, experience with AI agents is welcome but not required.

Experience with Git, cloud services, data visualisation, collaborative projects or presenting technical work to a nontechnical audience.

What you can expect

You will learn from colleagues with a range of technical and subject expertise while contributing to complex, varied projects.

We will support your career development through ongoing training, feedback and opportunities to deepen both your data science and consulting skills.

As your experience grows, you will take on more responsibility in shaping and delivering solutions.

Right to Work, Location & Sponsorship

We welcome applications from candidates based anywhere in the world.

For roles located in the UK, Belgium, Spain, or Germany, applicants must: Hold the right to work in the country where the role is based, or be eligible for visa sponsorship, which we may consider on a case-by-case basis, and Be physically present in that country by their first day of employment (or able to relocate beforehand).

Unless stated otherwise, relocation support is not automatically provided.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Madrid, Spain (ES01)

Madrid, Spain (ES01)

Need help? We're here:

Need help? We're here: [e-mail]

About ICF

ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.

Working at ICF

Working at ICF ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.