Data Scientist - AI & Advanced Analytics

IBM; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Sabbatical programme

Parental leave

Maternity returners scheme

25 days holiday

Private medical

Dental & optical cover

Employee discounts

Life assurance

Group pension via salary sacrifice

Job summary

IBM Consulting UK FutureNow is seeking a data scientist to design, develop and deploy AI solutions across public and private sector clients. You will work in IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers, applying ML on structured and unstructured data and delivering AI-enabled solutions with modern frameworks.

Ideal candidates have strong Python data science skills, exposure to AI frameworks, and experience delivering end-to-end data-driven projects in a consulting setting, with flexibility around

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Python and data science libraries.
• Experience applying machine learning or advanced analytics in professional delivery.
• Exposure to AI frameworks or techniques (TensorFlow, PyTorch, LLM APIs).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure or GCP).
• Solid data modelling and analytics best practices.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills for non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven end-to-end data-driven solution delivery in a consulting context.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of data science and AI solutions across client projects.
• Apply statistical modelling and ML techniques to structured and unstructured data.
• Deliver AI-enabled solutions including foundation models or LLMs where appropriate.
• Translate business problems into analytical use cases and designs.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, model development, validation, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with data engineers, platform teams, and stakeholders throughout delivery lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior data scientists.
• Support technical decision‑making on accuracy, interpretability, scalability, and cost.

Skills

Python

NumPy

Pandas

scikit-learn

Machine learning

Data analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

LLM APIs

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL

Job description

Introduction

At IBM Consulting UK FutureNow, you’ll build a career at the forefront of hybrid cloud and AI, working with leading clients across the public and private sectors. You’ll collaborate with top industry professionals, gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge technologies, and deliver solutions that create real business impact.

From day one, you’ll work on meaningful, high‑profile programmes that stretch your skills and accelerate your growth. We invest heavily in you—supporting continuous learning, in‑demand skills development, and long‑term career progression. You’ll thrive in a flexible, inclusive environment that values curiosity, encourages reinvention, and recognises what makes you unique.

Benefits

• Tools and policies to support your work‑life balance: flexible working approaches, sabbatical programmes, paid paternity leave, maternity leave and an innovative maternity returners scheme.
• More traditional benefits: 25 days holiday (in addition to public holidays), private medical, dental & optical cover, online shopping discounts, an Employee Assistance Program, life assurance and a group pension plan through salary sacrifice.

About the Role

In this role, you’ll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private‑sector clients worldwide. Our delivery centres offer local‑based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of data science and AI solutions across multiple client projects.
• Apply statistical modelling, machine learning, and advanced analytics techniques to structured and unstructured data.
• Deliver AI‑enabled solutions, including exposure to foundation models, large language models, or other applied AI approaches where appropriate.
• Translate ambiguous business problems into well‑defined analytical use cases and solution designs.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, model development, validation, and evaluation.
• Work closely with data engineers, platform teams, architects, and stakeholders throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior data scientists, contributing to team capability building and best practice.
• Support technical decision‑making, including trade‑offs around accuracy, interpretability, scalability, cost, and operational risk.

Required Education

None

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Technical and Professional Expertise

• Strong proficiency in Python and experience with data science and machine learning libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, scikit‑learn).
• Practical experience applying machine learning or advanced analytics in a professional delivery environment.
• Exposure to AI frameworks or techniques (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, LLM APIs, or similar).
• Experience working with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Solid understanding of data modelling, data quality, and analytical best practices.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proven experience delivering data‑driven solutions end‑to‑end in a commercial or consulting context.

Preferred Technical and Professional Experience

• Experience delivering AI or machine learning use cases, including NLP, forecasting, classification, optimisation, or generative AI.
• Familiarity with deploying or operationalising models (e.g., model APIs, batch scoring, or integration into downstream systems).
• Experience working in regulated or high‑assurance environments (e.g., public sector or financial services).
• Knowledge of SQL and modern data platforms or analytics tooling.

Pre‑Employment Screening

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personal Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NVS) may apply; this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Job Details / Flexibility

IBM wants you to bring your whole self to work and may require you to work flexibly. If you are interested in a flexible working pattern, please talk to our recruitment team to find out if this is possible in the current working environment.

Equal Opportunity

IBM is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.