Data Scientist

Acorn Care and Education; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading special education provider in Bolton seeks a Data Scientist to leverage data science for improving outcomes for vulnerable learners. This hybrid role allows for working 2 days in the office and includes a competitive salary of up to £55,000 per annum. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge in data science, experience with machine learning, and proficiency in Python/R and SQL. Join us in making a difference in the education sector.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of data science and machine learning methods, including emerging techniques.
• Proficiency in natural language processing techniques and methods.
• Deep expertise with a modern data science programming language (Python/R).

Responsibilities

• Use advanced data science and machine learning methods to generate insights.
• Collaborate with educators, clinicians, and leaders to align outputs with needs.
• Help establish best practices in data science.

Skills

Data science and machine learning methods

Natural language processing techniques

Statistical methods

Python/R programming

SQL

Business intelligence tools

Tools

Azure

Cognos/Power BI

Job description

Overview

We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it. At OFG, we’re proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial – a bold step toward giving our teams more time to recharge, refresh, and enjoy life outside of work. That means you could be working 80% of your usual hours, while still earning 100% of your pay. If the trial proves successful, we’ll roll out the 4DWW across the Group – making now the perfect time to join #TeamOFG and help shape the future of work.

Job Title: Data Scientist

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum not pro rata (dependent on experience and qualifications)

Location: Hybrid - Bolton (2 days in office per week)

Contract: Fixed Term Contract - 15 Months

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri 9-5

The role

Make a difference and advance your career by helping deliver some of the UK’s leading special education provider, change futures for vulnerable children and young people across the country.

You’ll join a talented team of dynamic and driven professional problem solvers; creative thinkers and solutions builders. At a certified Great Place to Work, you’ll experience a dynamic and nurturing environment that rewards initiative and flexibility and enjoy a career path tailored to your own aspirations.

You will:

• Have the opportunity to use advanced data science and machine learning methods to generate insights that inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Work with diverse datasets, from structured to unstructured text, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that improve outcomes for our learners.
• Develop analytical models and tools that support planning and decision making across our education settings.
• Collaborate closely with educators, clinicians, and leaders to align data science outputs with the needs of our students and staff.
• Help establish and embed best practices in data science, supporting the growth of an emerging data science team.

Skills and experience

• Strong knowledge of data science and machine learning methods, including emerging techniques
• A proven track record of translating these methods into production workflows with scalable, maintainable infrastructure.
• Proficiency in natural language processing techniques and methods, and experience applying them to real-world applications
• Strong foundation in statistical methods
• Deep expertise with a modern data science programming language (Python/R), with the ability to write clean and efficient code.
• Experience with cloud deployments (ideally Azure) to build, scale and maintain data science solutions and pipelines.
• Proficiency in SQL for data extraction, transformation, and analysis across relational databases.
• Experience with a Business intelligence tool (such as Cognos/Power BI)

Desirable

• Commercial experience adapting, operationalising and monitoring generative AI/LLM models
• Familiarity with education or healthcare analytics and data

Why join Outcomes First Group?

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

Our Vision
Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission
We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise
We Listen.
We never assume.
We work together.
To make the remarkable happen.
We are accountable.
To each other and for one another.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.