Rail Analyst

Department for Transport; Leeds; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is seeking an analyst to lead economic analysis on rail fleet projects. The role requires strong quantitative skills, experience in stakeholder management, and a relevant degree. You will shape rail policy decisions through high-quality analysis and work independently to manage competing priorities. Benefits include a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Ability to apply and communicate complex analysis clearly.
• Experience working in an analytical or economist role.
• Capability to work independently and lead projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead economic analysis on rail fleet projects.
• Shape future of passenger rail through high-quality analysis.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to deliver rail projects.

Skills

Quantitative analytical skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Education

2:1 or higher degree in a highly numerate subject

2:2 or higher degree with a highly numerate postgraduate degree

Tools

R

Python

Power BI

Job description

Can you work independently to lead analytical projects, communicate complex quantitative findings clearly to stakeholders, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment? Do you have the strong quantitative and organisational skills needed to deliver high-quality analysis and develop expertise in transport economics, even without prior transport experience? Have you previously worked in an analytical or economist role where you managed stakeholder relationships and contributed to evidence-based decision-making? If so, we'd love to hear from you! DfT is a high-profile department at the heart of UK government. We work with agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest to make journeys better. This role comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance. Read more in the Benefits section below!
• Find out more about what it's like working at DFT.

We are recruiting for two exciting roles within the Rail Analysis team. As a Rolling Stock Analyst, you will lead economic analysis on rail fleet projects, supporting decarbonisation, performance, and value for money. As a Passenger Services Analyst, you will shape the future of passenger rail by analysing business plans, open access applications, and key spending decisions. Both roles offer the opportunity to influence national rail policy through high-quality analysis and stakeholder engagement across major transport projects.

• Responsibility for leading economic analysis, contributing to economic cases, feeding into board papers, and producing Value for Money and Analytical Assurance statements for senior boards.
• Building strong stakeholder relationships with policy teams, Train Operating Companies (TOCs), Network Rail, Office of Rail and Road, Technical Advisers, and other organisations to deliver a range of rail projects.
• Advancing the use of data and analytical models in effective decision making, including supporting technical advisers to ensure analysis meets DfT's best practice guidance as set out in DfT's Transport Analysis Guidance and Strength In Numbers.
• Working independently and autonomously, with scope to set deadlines and independently solve problems and find solutions.
• Communicating results to a range of audiences, including leading presentations.
• Supporting the development of the Strategy and Services Analysis team and playing a key corporate role in the Rail Analysis division.
• The potential to task‑manage junior economists and support their career development.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

To be eligible for these positions, you will need to hold the membership in line with or be eligible to join the following professions:

• Government Economic Service (GES) profession
• Government Operational Research Service (GORS) profession
• Government Statistical Service (GSS) profession
• Government Social Research (GSR) profession

For further information on Qualifications, please see the qualifications below. You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Minimum qualifications for the GORS

• You have, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher degree or degree apprenticeship in a highly numerate degree subject; or
• You have, or expect to have, a 2:2 or higher degree and a highly numerate postgraduate degree

Minimum qualification for the GSR

• Relevant Qualification route: Hold an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 [footnote 1] The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.

Minimum qualification for the GSS

• A first- or second-class honours degree (2:1 minimum for Fast Stream applications, 2:2 minimum for all other) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography)
• OR a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography)
• OR have achieved a Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship
• OR have achieved a Level 4 Data Analytics apprenticeship and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development via a logbook that has been signed off by an existing member of the GSG profession in the role of manager or mentor, covering 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government
• OR alternatively you could apply if you have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of two years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (500-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

• Strong quantitative analytical skills, with the ability to apply and communicate complex analysis clearly.
• Proven experience working in an analytical or economist role.
• Ability to work independently, lead projects, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced policy environment.
• Experience managing stakeholders and building effective relationships across teams and organisations.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Willingness to develop expertise in transport economics and modelling, with opportunities to learn tools such as R, Python or Power BI.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Alongside your salary of £44,241, Department for Transport contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.
• DfT prioritises investing in our project delivery professionals, because successful projects begin with skilled people. We offer funding for industry–recognised qualifications e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, and MSP, alongside leadership programmes. You will have access to targeted technical training, support for project delivery accreditation, and potential funding toward Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). From day one, mentoring, coaching, and the Government Online Skills Tool (GOST) are available to support your learning and development throughout your career in DfT. Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies.