Data Scientist, AI & Innovation

Bloomsbury Publishing UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Flexible Working

Life Insurance

Staff Discount on Books

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

Bike to Work

Job summary

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. seeks an innovative Data Scientist for the AI & Innovation team to build and deploy predictive models that drive publishing decisions and inform the company's AI roadmap.

The role combines development with deployment across Consumer and Academic divisions, partnering with editorial, sales, production and technology teams. Hybrid work includes 2 days in the London office and 3 remote days.

Qualifications

• : Degree or postgraduate qualification in a quantitative subject is not required, but demonstrated skill is valued.
• : Demonstrable experience developing predictive models to support real-world decisions
• : Strong Python and SQL with modern data science libraries
• : Knowledge of forecasting, time-series and demand prediction techniques
• : Experience in cloud-based data and ML environments
• : Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate questions into data-driven solutions
• : Experience with model monitoring, validation and performance evaluation
• : Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• : Publishing/retail/media/consumer sectors experience advantageous

Responsibilities

• 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 retraining processes
• Investigate forecasting errors and continuously improve model accuracy and effectiveness
• Translate forecasting outputs, assumptions and uncertainty into clear business recommendations
• Work with Data Science and Data Engineering to ensure high-quality data
• Support analytical work across wider AI and innovation projects
• Produce reproducible, well-documented analytical solutions for the team
• Ensure modelling activities align with Bloomsbury’s AI governance and data protection requirements

Skills

Python

SQL

Forecasting

Time-series

Cloud data environments

Model monitoring

Communication

Independent work

Generative AI knowledge

Education

Quantitative degree

Tools

Pandas/NumPy

SciPy

Job description

The Vacancy

The opportunity

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.

The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical and technical expertise with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to a broad range of stakeholders.

As a small engineering team, we value adaptability, we will have requests from various parts of the business that require learning tools, implementing code, and working in areas you’re unfamiliar with. Problem solving is key.

The role

• 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

Knowledge, skills and 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
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently within a fast-paced and evolving environment
• 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

Additional information

The role is a full-time, permanent position with a salary of £65,000 – £70,000 pa

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are:Mondays and Wednesdays.

23:59, Tuesday 22nd September 2026.

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

Bloomsbury benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday

Other Benefits:

• Two paid Personal Wellness Days
• Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week
• Season Ticket Loan
• Sharesave Scheme
• In-house Doctor
• Eyecare Voucher Scheme
• Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom, Disability, Mental Health, Pride and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 12 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below.

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.

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began.

Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.

Our Benefits

• Pension
• Flexible Working
• Life Insurance
• Staff Discount on Books
• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
• Bike to Work

Employee Testimonials

“It’s a friendly team, I feel part of a community and there’s such a breadth and variety of publishing”
Marketing Executive, Academic

“There is a passion for books and authors. People want to read and that comes from the top”
Commissioning Editor, Special Interest

“Bloomsbury has a strong International outlook, it’s good to be part of a global publishing team.”
Intern, Education

To read more about what it’s like to work for us please clickhere.