Data Scientist

Financial Conduct Authority; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory body in the UK is seeking a Data Scientist for their Data Strategy & Services team. The position involves collaborating to solve data problems using advanced analytics and machine learning. Candidates should have skills in programming and data science techniques. The role offers competitive salary packages and flexible working arrangements, contributing to enhancing data capabilities across the organization.

Benefits

25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

Private healthcare with Bupa

Non-contributory Pension of at least 8%

Life assurance of eight times basic salary

Income protection

Qualifications

• Experience with programming languages such as R, Python and SQL.
• Experience in various data science techniques, including Natural Language Processing, Network Analytics and Predictive Modelling.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues to understand data problems and apply data science tools.
• Leverage data sources to generate insights addressing pain points.
• Communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.

Skills

Programming languages (R, Python, SQL)

Data science techniques (NLP, Network Analytics, Predictive Modelling)

Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)

Job description

Data Scientist

Division – Data, Technology & Innovation (DTI)

Department - Data Strategy & Services

Salary - National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £52,400 to £80,600 and London £57,700 to £88,600 per annum (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

About the FCA

The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA .

Are you looking for a role where you can make a real impact? At the FCA, you’ll help protect 40 million financial services consumers, support 2 million industry professionals and contribute to economic stability. The FCA focuses on three key objectives: ensuring market integrity, promoting effective competition and protecting consumers.

Within the Data, Technology & Innovation (DTI) division, the Data Strategy & Services department drives the FCA’s Data Strategy by improving data value through management, governance, analysis and central coordination of data activities. This team is leading the way in using data and advanced analytics to transform regulation. They embrace new approaches, value curiosity and encourage experimentation. Collaboration with academics, innovators and internal teams is central to their work. The department also supports continuous learning and development, ensuring people have the freedom and resources to grow and innovate. Join a team that’s shaping the future of financial regulation through data-focused insights.

What will you be doing?

• Collaborate with colleagues to understand the business's data problems and apply data science tools, including machine learning, AI and operational research, to develop innovative solutions and support data-focused decision-making

• Leverage both new and existing data sources to generate insights that address identified pain points

• Communicate findings effectively to a wide range of stakeholders through presentations, reports and workshops

• Mentor and support junior team members throughout the lifecycle of data science projects

• Work proactively within the team and cross-functionally across departments and the wider FCA to design and deliver impactful data solutions

What will you get from the role?

• Contribute significantly to delivering the FCA’s Data agenda across the organisation

• Collaborate with like-minded colleagues to enhance analytical capabilities, uncover insights, identify patterns and help detect and prevent harm more effectively

• Build strong relationships across the FCA to support stakeholders in achieving their strategic goals

• Be part of a new team driving the FCA toward becoming a more data-enabled organisation

Which skills are required?

We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here)

Minimum

• Experience with programming languages such as R, Python and SQL

• Experience in various data science techniques, including Natural Language Processing, Network Analytics and Predictive Modelling, and applying them to solve business problems

• Experience with data visualisation tools such as Tableau or Power BI

Essential

• Practical experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders to identify business problems and use data to propose solutions for effective decision-making

• Proven experience in upskilling team members through day-to-day mentoring, coaching, and knowledge sharing to support continuous professional development

• Experience communicating findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, with the ability to think creatively and proactively to solve problems

Our Values & Diversity

We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.

Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.

Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.

Benefits of working at the FCA

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays

• Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)

• Private healthcare with Bupa

• A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)

• Life assurance of eight times your basic salary

• Income protection

We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.

We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours and job shares. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.

Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA

Application Support

We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Useful Information and Timeline

• This role is graded as Senior Associate - Regulatory

• Advert Closing Date: 31st July 2025 (midnight)

• CV Review/Shortlist: 1st-4th August 2025

• Interviews: w/c 11th August 2025

Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.

Got a question?

If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact:

Recruiter – [e-mail]

Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.