Data Scientist | NHS Counter Fraud Authority

NHS Counter Fraud Authority; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A national body for NHS crime prevention is seeking a Data Scientist to develop and optimize models for fraud detection. This critical role involves strong expertise in machine learning and communication skills to influence decisions based on data-driven insights. The position offers flexible working arrangements in Coventry and focuses on collaboration across functions to enhance fraud detection methods. Applicants must have an NPPV2 clearance.

Qualifications

• Expertise in machine learning and statistical analysis.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions.
• Experience in preparing data for model development.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative models for fraud detection.
• Design and apply machine learning models in a dynamic environment.
• Communicate results effectively to non-technical stakeholders.
• Create, deploy, and refine AI/Machine Learning algorithms.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Anomaly detection

Strong communication skills

Collaboration skills

Job description

The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is the national body responsible for all matters relating to the prevention, detection, and investigation of economic crime across the NHS. Further information about our work and annual plan for delivering this is available on our website.

The Data Scientist role requires expertise in machine learning, statistical analysis, anomaly detection, and strong communication and collaboration skills. Key responsibilities include developing innovative models, designing, applying, and optimising models in a dynamic environment. The role is critical in project planning, using data to drive business objectives, and defining project directions to achieve financial targets. With a deep understanding of data science, including machine learning, predictive modelling, and deep learning, the Data Scientist will tackle complex challenges and extract actionable insights from diverse datasets. They will lead model development and ensure solutions meet business and government standards.

The post holder will be required to have an NPPV2 clearance.

Potential applicants can contact Susan Proctor at [e-mail] for an informal chat if they have any questions regarding the role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a significant number of applications.

Interviews will be held online on 5th August 2025.

Collaboration across functions is essential to align data science initiatives with NHSCFA goals, ensuring accountability for innovative outcomes. Utilizing the latest advanced methods, they will embed analytics into the organisation to enhance fraud detection within the NHS.

Clear communication of statistical outputs and results to non-technical stakeholders is crucial, influencing decisions like criminal intervention, policy changes, or risk metrics based on data-driven insights. The role demands adherence to government data standards, ensuring data transparency, integrity, and compliance throughout the portfolio.

Responsibilities include preparing data for model development and selection using techniques such as sampling, feature engineering, and normalisation.

Leverage advanced AI and machine learning techniques, including deep learning, to improve fraud detection and prevention models while adhering to privacy regulations.

We have offices in Coventry, Newcastle, and London, offering flexible, hybrid, office, and home-based working arrangements. The NHSCFA values diversity and aims to recruit a workforce reflecting our diverse communities. We welcome applications regardless of age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We ensure fair treatment throughout the recruitment process, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities. Applicants on secondment should have prior agreement to be released from their current role. When applying, you will be redirected to our recruitment system TRAC. Please note, NHSCFA does not hold a sponsor license for skilled worker visas and cannot employ candidates requiring sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Create, deploy, and refine cutting-edge AI/Machine Learning algorithms and methodologies to detect and anticipate evolving fraud patterns and trends.
2. Design innovative solutions to solve business problems related to fraud detection and wider NHS resource protection.
3. Build highly accurate practical Machine Learning models, developing supervised, unsupervised, and semi-supervised models, creating end-to-end data pipelines, and deploying outputs within the NHSCFA environment.
4. Provide a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations behind classical and recent machine learning models, including assessment and justification of approaches, metrics, and their practical use in detecting anomalies/fraud within the NHS, with verbal and written explanations of results and key metrics.
5. Minimize false positives while ensuring prediction or classification accuracy.
6. Deploy models in the operational environment and maintain/troubleshoot any production issues.

Please see the full job description and person specification for more details.

This advert closes on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.