Junior Data Scientist

Hastings Direct; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital insurance provider in the UK is seeking a Junior Data Scientist to join their Pricing Data and Analytics team. The successful candidate will assist in creating predictive models and leveraging machine learning techniques. This hybrid role requires expertise in Python, SQL, and strong problem-solving skills. Join us for a competitive salary and extensive benefits including a flexible working approach, financial well-being support, and mental health programs, while helping to drive company growth and innovation.

Benefits

Flexible working

Competitive bonus scheme

Financial well-being support

Mental well-being programme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Knowledge/experience using Python and machine learning libraries in a commercial environment.
• Strong technical modelling skills and SQL experience.
• Interest in emerging machine learning techniques and their commercial value.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with various team members.
• Dynamic, flexible, and delivery-focused individual.

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying and creating data assets and predictive models.
• Create and maintain analytical tools for risk portfolio management.
• Develop models to predict claims outcomes, fraud, and risk KPIs.
• Engineer new rating factors for algorithms.
• Identify and analyse new data sources.

Skills

Python

Machine learning

SQL

Relationship building

Problem-solving

Flexibility

Job description

Overview

Junior Data Scientist

London or Leicester - Hybrid, one day per week on site

Welcome to Hastings Direct – From our Group HR Director, Pam Angel

We’re a digital insurance provider with a clear strategy to become the best and biggest player in the UK market. As a company, we’ve made huge investments in our technology, pricing, data and analytics capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture and substantial investment in our people. And as a Finance team, we\u2019re doing exactly the same – building a market leading finance technology platform, investing in our team and our approach to leadership development, with a real focus on commercially adding value to the business.

The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD. If you like what you see, we hope you\u2019ll consider joining our team.

We have high standards and understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we are looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure, we would love to hear from you.

Role overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Pricing Data and Analytics team, where we’ve invested heavily into data and technology.

This role is within a combined team of Actuaries and Data Scientists championing the adoption of the latest machine learning (ML) techniques to leverage powerful insights from vast amounts of customer information.

Job details

• The primary focus of the job will be to assist in identifying and creating, cutting-edge data assets and predictive models that feed into Hastings' market-leading pricing activities.
• your day to day responsibilities will be inclusive of but not limited to:
• Creating and maintaining analytical tools to support in the management of our risk portfolio.
• Develop ben-in-class models to predict claims outcomes, fraud and other risk KPIs
• Engineer powerful new rating factors to be deployed in our rating algorithms.
• Identify, analyse and monetise new data sources.

Essential skills / experience

• We would like to have knowledge / experience using Python and machine learning libraries to build data science / machine learning products in a commercial environment.
• Strong technical modelling skills and knowledge or experience using SQL.
• We would like you to show a keen interest in emerging machine learning techniques as well as recognising their commercial value.
• A lot of the day to work will involve you working cross functionally so the ability to cultivate relationships across the business (Data Engineers, Actuaries, Pricing Analysts etc.)
• From a personal stand point, we would also be looking for a natural problem solver, someone who likes building quality solutions to complex challenges.
• We would like to hire someone who is dynamic, flexible and delivery focused.

The interview process

Our interview process involves the below:

• Coding Assessment
• 1 st stage interview with hiring leader
• Case Study interview with hiring leaders leader / peers.

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive – what this means to you is if you’re applying for a job with us, you’ll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS ).For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our careers website

Benefits

Benefits: In addition to a competitive salary you will also receive…

• Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail
• Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus
• Financial wellbeing – as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support
• Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs
• There\'s more! – 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more ….

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need. Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Job posting end date: 29/10/2025