Data Scientist

Forward Role; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Role is recruiting a Data Scientist (AI/ML) to work on national security projects in the UK. You will contribute to deploying ML into operational systems and join a small, cross-functional team with data engineers and end users.

The role emphasizes shaping the AI/ML strategy, working closely with customers, and deploying models in secure environments. Location options include London, Surrey, Cheltenham, or Manchester, with active eDV clearance required.

Qualifications

• Experience with Python-based data science and ML, incl. NLP or graph analytics.
• Comfortable with sensitive data.
• Able to explain complex analysis to non-specialists.

Responsibilities

• ML and NLP models for intelligence data: pattern detection, data matching, anomaly spotting
• Automated triage and analysis of large, messy, multi-source datasets (sensor, geospatial, comms)
• Graph analytics and time-series work
• Data and ML pipelines built for production, not demos
• Dashboards and tools that non-technical users can act on
• Python (Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow), Spark and AWS

Skills

Python

NLP exposure

Graph analytics exposure

ML

Tools

Spark

AWS

Pandas

scikit-learn

PyTorch/TensorFlow

Job description

Are you a Data Scientist who is looking to get involved in projects and data relating to our national security?

Data Scientist (AI/ML)

Location: London, Surrey, Cheltenham or Manchester
Clearance: Active eDV Clearance Required
Salary: £50,000-£85,000 per annum + DV Bonus

If you're tired of building models that never leave the notebook, this one goes live.

You'd join a specialist security and intelligence consultancy that works on live government programmes, putting ML into operational systems that analysts and mission teams use every day. You'll sit in a small, multi-disciplinary agile team with data engineers, software engineers and the end users themselves, so you see what your work changes.

You won't be "the data person" bolted onto someone else's delivery team. You'll help shape the AI/ML approach, get close to the customer, and have a say in how models are built, validated and deployed in secure environments.

What you'll be working on

• ML and NLP models for intelligence data: pattern detection, data matching, anomaly spotting
• Automated triage and analysis of large, messy, multi-source datasets (sensor, geospatial, comms)
• Graph analytics and time-series work
• Data and ML pipelines built for production, not demos
• Dashboards and tools that non-technical users can act on
• Python (Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow), Spark and AWS

Why it's worth a look

• Real operational deployment, not endless proofs of concept
• Direct contact with the people using what you build
• Room to lead on AI/ML strategy and best practice as you grow

Must have:

• Experience of Python-based data science and ML, and some exposure to NLP or graph analytics.
• Comfortable with sensitive data.
• Able to explain complex analysis to non-specialists.