Data Scientist

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Hybrid working

Healthcare plan

Season ticket loan

Private medical insurance

Personal wellness days

Flexible Fridays

Job summary

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is seeking an innovative Data Scientist for our AI & Innovation team. This build-and-run role develops forecasting models to support advances, print runs, stock decisions and broader commercial planning.

You will collaborate with editorial, sales, production and technology, translating data-driven insights into actionable business recommendations. The role offers hybrid working (2 days per week) and opportunities to contribute to Bloomsbury's AI roadmap.

Qualifications

• Experience developing predictive models to support real-world business decisions.
• Strong Python and SQL skills with data science libraries.
• Knowledge of forecasting, time-series, and demand prediction.
• Experience in cloud-based data and ML environments.
• Ability to translate business questions into data-driven solutions.
• Experience with model monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in publishing, retail, media or consumer industries is a plus.
• Knowledge of generative AI or book industry sales data is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Build forecasting models for sales, demand, advance offers, print run planning and stock management.
• Monitor model performance and retrain as needed.
• Translate forecasting outputs and uncertainty into actionable business recommendations.
• Collaborate with Data Science and Data Engineering to ensure high-quality data.
• Produce reproducible, well-documented analytical solutions.
• Ensure modelling activities align with AI governance and compliance requirements.

Skills

Predictive modelling

Python

SQL

Forecasting

Time-series analysis

Cloud ML environments

Data storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a quantitative subject

Job description

Bloomsbury is looking for an innovative and commercially-minded Data Scientist to join our growing AI & Innovation team. This is a build-and-run role rather than a research one and is an exciting opportunity to develop and deploy predictive models that support strategic publishing decisions and contribute directly to the company's AI roadmap.

Working across Bloomsbury's Consumer and Academic & Professional divisions with direct executive sponsorship, the postholder will see their work reach colleagues and customers quickly.

You will build forecasting models that inform advances, print runs, stock decisions and wider commercial planning. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across editorial, sales, production and technology teams, ensuring that data-driven insights become an integral part of decision-making across the business.

• Develop, deploy and maintain sales and demand forecasting models for Bloomsbury's publishing divisions
• Build predictive models to support advance offers, print run planning and stock management decisions
• Monitor model performance through evaluation frameworks, drift detection and regular retraining processes
• Investigate forecasting errors and continuously improve model accuracy and effectiveness
• Translate forecasting outputs, assumptions and uncertainty into clear business recommendations
• Work closely with Data Science and Data Engineering colleagues to ensure high-quality, modelling-ready data is available
• Support analytical and experimental work across wider AI and innovation projects
• Produce reproducible, well-documented analytical solutions that can be maintained and extended by the wider team
• Ensure all modelling activities align with Bloomsbury's AI governance, data protection and compliance requirements

Skills, knowledge, experience

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in a quantitative subject is one route into this role but is not a requirement. We are interested in demonstrable skill and judgement however they were acquired.
• Demonstrable experience developing predictive models used to support real-world business decisions
• Strong Python and SQL skills, with experience using modern data science libraries and tools
• Knowledge of forecasting, time-series modelling and demand prediction techniques
• Experience working within cloud-based data and machine learning environments
• Strong analytical thinking and the ability to translate complex business questions into data-driven solutions
• Experience with model monitoring, validation and performance evaluation
• Experience within publishing, retail, media or consumer-focused industries would be advantageous
• Knowledge of generative AI, machine learning experimentation or book industry sales data would be beneficial

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Application Deadline: 23:59 on Tuesday 22nd of September 2026

Additional information

Starting: As soon as possible

Contract: Full-time, permanent.

Hybrid-working: 2 days per week: Mondays and Wednesdays

Bloomsbury Benefits

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
• Two paid Personal Wellness Days
• Flexible Fridays
• Work Anywhere Fortnight
• Season Ticket Loan
• Share save Scheme
• AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
• Peppy Health App
• In-house Doctor
• Eye care Voucher Scheme

And a range of other benefits as listed on our company website: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/connect/work-with-us/rewarding-you/

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.