Placement Year Opportunities – Data Analysts & Data Scientists (13-month placement)

Office for Students; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 29,000; Part time

Job summary

A government regulatory body is seeking enthusiastic placement students for Data Analyst and Data Scientist roles in Bristol. As part of a data team, you’ll work with innovative tools like SQL, Python, and Power BI to generate insights that shape the future of higher education. Ideal candidates are currently studying a numerate discipline and are passionate about data's impact. This opportunity offers competitive salary and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working opportunities

Supportive and inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Experience with data analysis and manipulation (e.g., SQL, Python).
• Ability to communicate technical detail to non-technical audiences.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Willingness to work flexibly and collaboratively.
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI).
• Logical and methodical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with time series and transactional data to generate insights.
• Build dashboards and reports using Power BI and Tableau.
• Support business teams with data access and analysis.
• Develop machine learning models.
• Collaborate on predictive analytics and process mining.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data visualization (Power BI)

Attention to detail

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Education

Currently studying a numerate discipline

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Databricks

Spark

Job description

Placement Year Opportunities – Data Analysts & Data Scientists (13-month placement)

Location: Bristol/hybrid

Salary: £28,638 pa

Contract type: 13-month placement

Working pattern: Full-time

Start date: July 2026

About the role

At the Office for Students (OfS), we’re proud to be the independent regulator of higher education in England. Our mission is to ensure every student – whatever their background – has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their life and career.

We’re looking for a number of enthusiastic placement students to join our data team as Data Analysts/Data Scientists. These roles are ideal for students undertaking a placement year as part of their degree and who are passionate about using data to make a real-world impact. At the Office for Students, data is at the heart of everything we do. You’ll work in a collaborative, cloud-native environment alongside data engineers, data analysts and regulation experts to deliver insights that shape the future of higher education.

What you’ll be doing

As a Data Analyst (Placement), you’ll:

• Work with time series and transactional data to generate insights.
• Build dashboards and reports using Power BI and Tableau.
• Support business teams with data access and analysis.
• Develop your skills in SQL, Python, and data visualisation best practices.

  As a Data Scientist (Placement), you’ll:

  • Develop and maintain machine learning models.
  • Use tools like Databricks, Spark, MLFlow, and Python.
  • Collaborate on predictive analytics and process mining.
  • Communicate complex findings to non-technical audiences.

  Essential Criteria for Data Analyst (Placement)

  • Experience with data analysis and manipulation (e.g., SQL, Python).
  • Ability to communicate technical detail to non-technical audiences.
  • Attention to detail and quality assurance.
  • Willingness to work flexibly and collaboratively.
  • Experience with data visualisation tools (PowerBI).
  • Logical and methodical problem-solving skills.

  Essential Criteria for Data Scientist (Placement)

  • Experience with machine learning and statistical analysis (e.g., Python, MLFlow).
  • Ability to communicate complex analytical concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Attention to detail and quality assurance.
  • Willingness to work flexibly and collaboratively.
  • Experience with cloud-based data science tools (e.g., Databricks, Spark).
  • Logical and methodical problem-solving skills.

  Both roles will give you the opportunity to:

  • Work across departments and projects.
  • Contribute to a data-native culture.
  • Gain hands‑on experience with modern data tools and platforms.
  • Be part of a supportive, agile, and innovative team.

  About you

  • Currently studying a numerate discipline and seeking a placement year.
  • Passionate about data and its potential to drive change.
  • Curious, logical, and detail‑oriented.
  • Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
  • Eager to learn tools like SQL, Python, Power BI, and Databricks.

  Working for us

  The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do. We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

  What we offer

  Competitive salary, flexible working opportunities, a supportive and inclusive culture focused on your learning and development.

  How to apply

  Tell us more about yourself and why you’re interested in one of our placement opportunities. We also ask that you upload a CV (although we will not be reviewing your CV for assessment purposes).

  Closing date for applications: 2 February 2026

  Interview will be towards the end of February