Data Scientist

Zurich Insurance; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Extra holiday buy/sell

Job summary

Zurich Insurance in the UK is seeking a data‑driven data scientist to join our data science team, working across underwriting and non‑underwriting areas to enable data‑led decisions and broad business impact.

You will collaborate with data, AI and business experts to design core systems, apply AI/ML techniques and LLMs, promote automation, and communicate value to technical and non‑technical audiences, while enjoying flexible hybrid working.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Proficient in Python and Git.
• Experience with SQL and large datasets.
• Experience with LLMs in a commercial setting.
• Experience with cloud technology (Azure / AWS).
• Proven development and deployment of ML models.

Responsibilities

• Drive data-led decision making across underwriting and business areas.
• Apply AI/ML techniques and LLMs to structured and unstructured data to automate and tell data stories.
• Ensure high standards of code development and collaborate across teams internationally.

Skills

Python

SQL

LLMs

Cloud platforms

Data analysis

Tools

Azure

AWS

Sagemaker

Snowflake

Databricks

Spark

Job description

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Salary: Up to £50,000 depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package

Location: London, Fareham or Swindon hybrid working

Closing date for applications: 30th September 2026

The opportunity

Data is central to our work at Zurich, and we seek a talented individual to join our data science team, working across both underwriting and non‑underwriting areas of the business. You will collaborate with data, AI and business experts to support data‑led decisions, impacting the entire organization. Our data & AI journey is entering an exciting new stage, and you can help shape its future. We aim to put people and their data at the heart of our strategy, enabling swift, outcome‑focused decisions. You'll work with colleagues to design core systems and data requirements, bringing efficiency and supporting colleagues in using data confidently.

We seek someone passionate about AI, data and advanced analytics, willing to challenge the status quo, and proficient in AI/ML in a commercial setting. The ideal candidate is creative, curious, and logical in problem‑solving. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, supportive team working on diverse insurance topics. We value a supportive team culture and independence in work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to your application. We offer flexible working arrangements, including part‑time, flexible hours, job share, remote work, or compressed hours, as we aim to attract the best talent. Discuss your flexibility needs with us during the interview.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part‑time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full‑time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• Driving data‑led decision‑making in our business, working with stakeholders to help them understand how data & AI can assist them in meeting their requirements. You will assist colleagues in setting strategy for activities using data & AI, informing on the art‑of‑the‑possible and best‑practice.
• The role‑holder will use AI/ML and data science techniques to reduce the need for manual work, including analysis of structured numerical data and application of LLMs and similar tools to unstructured data. They will promote an automation‑first mindset where possible and use data to tell compelling narratives and communicate in simple language to deliver tangible impact. This will involve using established AI technologies and exploring future AI capabilities.
• The role‑holder will be a vocal proponent of both good data & AI practices and will be able to communicate these ideas to non‑experts. They will ensure that high standards of code development are met, including adherence to code management best practices and team policies such as submission and review of pull requests. They will work with the business teams to build knowledge and confidence with data as well as collaborating with colleagues across the Zurich Group internationally to share knowledge and enhance the data analytics capabilities for our collective AI communities.

What are we looking for?

• Strong analytical, structured, and interdisciplinary way of thinking and working, including the ability to think creatively with data and being comfortable with complex and ambiguous problem‑solving.
• Enthusiastic to work on problems which have never been attempted before.
• Proficient in Python and modern software development practices within a team of developers e.g. use of Git.
• Experience using SQL and working with databases. Comfortable working with a variety of data sources, both structured and unstructured and very large datasets using distributed computing (e.g. spark).
• Experience working with LLMs to deliver value in a commercial organisation, including how to manage and monitor LLM‑based applications to maximise performance.
• Experience working with cloud technology, ideally Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
• Proven track record of development and deployment of machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning techniques.
• Excellent collaboration and organisation skills.
• Proficient communicator, who is comfortable explaining the value of their work to drive adoption and challenge the status quo, both to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Comfortable working in a business environment where the answer might not be clear‑cut yet understanding the need to be practical and to deliver for the business.
• Ability to think proactively and ‘join the dots’ across a complex landscape to see the bigger picture.
• An understanding of the importance of team culture, and a demonstrable ability to act as a role model to maintain a culture of curiosity, support and honesty.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of R or other programming languages
• Knowledge of current UK AI/ML compliance and regulation.
• Experience with AWS Sagemaker
• Experience with Snowflake
• Experience with Databricks

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday, alongside a range of other flexible benefits.

You can find out more about our wide range of employee benefits on our website.

Who We Are

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 65,000 employees, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company that is a long‑standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee: to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you’re interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment where your creativity, ideas and contributions are recognised and rewarded, Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our culture

At Zurich, our strength comes from the diverse experiences, perspectives and talents of our people. Our goal is to create a workplace where every employee can flourish and where everyone feels valued, heard and respected.

Over a quarter of our employees are members of at least one of our inclusion communities (Employee Resource Groups), with groups focused on areas such as social mobility and cultural awareness. We’re proud to have received numerous industry awards recognising our diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives.

We’ve created an environment that places real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide practical advice and access to a wide range of lifestyle support, alongside opportunities to learn, grow and develop the skills needed for the future.

We actively support our employees to give back to their communities through volunteering and charitable activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest‑established corporate trusts in the UK. Together, we’ve supported causes across the UK through grants and volunteering, contributing over £100 million in funding and volunteered time.

We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.

As an inclusive employer we also want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

So, make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us.